travelling good, the noble church was filled, the pulpit lined with ministers of all denominations, and I talked an hour and a half with all my might.

*

*

*

Mr. Shaw has, an hour since, received a communication, making it impossible for him to accompany me.

Six days later, and a sweet Sabbath it is, indeed, as I am in Louisville, Kentucky. A mile at least removed from all my associates, quietly seated alone, forgetting the bright sun that shines into my apartment, and the verdure around me, to think of, and in this way to talk with my own dear, distant family. Thus far, our journey has been prosperous and pleasant. Two days later, and we are at St. Louis; found a brother and his family, in Cincinnati, whom I had not seen for many years; all well, and extremely happy to see me."

At St. Louis they were kindly received, and every thing in relation to Oregon heard with attention, as the interest felt in the country, by the people of that state, was deep and growing. They had long known the necessity of sending a person to perform the duties of the doctor's office, and his appointment seemed to add new impetus to their hopes, for the extension of our jurisdiction over the territory. Dr. White here met William Sublet, who was one of the first to discover the southern pass through the Rocky Mountains, and by his traffic, and adventures there, amassed a handsome fortune. The party separated at St. Louis, a portion travelling by land, Dr. White and Mr. Crawford by steam boat. They met five days after at Independence; the first giving a most amusing relation of their journey, not omitting the ham, eggs, and hominy they had lived upon, while the others, as is common with travellers in that section, and at that season of the year, were complaining dolefully of the disagreeable water they had been obliged to drink on their

passage up the river. I need not dwell on the particulars of their reception, as the warm, cordial habits of the extreme western people are generally so well understood. With a view to increase their numbers, Dr. White visited .Platte city and county, and some portions of Jackson, of which Independence was the county seat.

Additions were made to the party till it amounted to one hundred and twelve persons. While they were coming in, which they did from Illinois, Arkansas, and Missouri, occurred the attempted murder of Gov. Boggs, who was shot through the head, while sitting near a window, perusing a newspaper. It caused great excitement, and many, especially strangers in the town, were arraigned before a select committee and examined. Through the testimony of one, who had observed him loitering about, the evening of the attempt, a Mormon was suspected, and arrested. For nearly a year he was imprisoned, when, as no positive evidence was elicited to confirm his guilt, he was liberated. The poor sufferer was horribly mutilated, and though, with a loss of a portion of the brain, after three months' tedious illness, recovered. The particular reason for suspecting a Mormon was, that Boggs sent a body of militia against this people in one of their first engagements, and they had, therefore, sworn deadly vengeance against him. This high-minded, and enterprising gentleman afterwards removed to California.

The 14th of May had now arrived, and the emigrating party were rendezvoused at Elm Grove, twenty miles southwest of Independence, and on the morning of the 15th Dr. White took leave of the beautiful town of Independence. In travelling through the adjoining sections, together with Platte County, he was much pleased with the apparent fertility

of the soil and variety of the scenery. He felt now that he
was taking a farewell of friends, and civilized life, and his emo-
tions of grief were more poignant than any he had before expe-
rienced. He had not now his family to sympathize with him,
and a sense of almost utter loneliness crept over his heart..
His anxiety was increased by a visit he had received from Mr.
Sublet, who declared it his opinion, from only seventeen days'
experience with such a party, that it would be perfectly im-
possible for him to take through the country so large a com-
pany
of men, women, and children; that he could not pre-
serve order, discipline, and good feeling among them, and
the consequences to be feared were, that every one would be
destroyed, or cut off by the Indians. It caused the doctor
great uneasiness and depression. This was the first exper-
iment of the kind ever made in that direction; the distance,
as computed by Fremont, was nearly twenty-seven hundred
miles, through hordes of strange savages. A meeting of
the emigration was called to consider this and other subjects,
and to make regulations. The following resolutions were
adopted:

Resolved, That every male, over the age of eighteen years, shall be provided with one mule, or horse, or wagon conveyance; shall have one gun, three pounds of powder, twelve pounds of lead, one thousand caps, or suitable flints, fifty pounds of flour, or meal, and thirty pounds of bacon, and a suitable proportion of provisions for women and children; and, if any present be not so provided, he shall be rejected.

Resolved, That Dr. White now exhibit to the meeting, to be read by the secretary, any document from the war department, in his possession, showing his appointment to any office in the Oregon territory; which, being done, on motion,

Resolved, That we elect a captain for one month, from and after this day.

Resolved, That, for the benefit of all those who may hereafter move to Oregon, and that government may be well informed of the road, its obstructions, means of subsistence, eminences, depressions, distances, bearings, etc., there be now elected a scientific corps, to consist of three persons, who shall keep a faithful and true record of every thing useful to government, or future emigrants.

This corps consisted of C. Lancaster, S. W. Hastings, and A. L. Lovejoy. James Coates, was elected pilot, and Nathaniel Crocker, secretary.

Resolved, That H. Burns be appointed master blacksmith, with power to choose two others, and also, to call to his aid the force of the company.

Resolved, That John Hoffstutter be appointed master wagon maker, with like power with the blacksmith.

Resolved, That the

captain appoint a master road and

bridge builder, with like powers.

Resolved, That a code of laws be drafted, and submitted to the company, and that they be enforced by reprimand, fines, and final banishment.

Resolved, unanimously, That there shall hereafter be no profane swearing, no obscene conversation, or immoral conduct, allowed in the company, on pain of expulsion.

Resolved, That the names of every man, woman, and child be registered by the secretary.

Which being done,

Resolved, That this meeting now adjourn, to meet again at Fort Vancouver, on the Columbia river, on the first day of October next, the powers of Heaven willing.

CHAPTER XVII.

Departure-Emotions-A friend-Manner of camping-Order of the morning-Dog slaughter-Sickness of a child-Detained two days -Difficulty in crossing Caw river-Increasing illness of the childIts death-The mother becomes ill-Mr. and Mrs. L. obliged to return-Undulating country-Big Blue-Divide-Rainy night-Buffalo-Platte river and plain-Fuel-South fork of the Platte-Chimney and castle-Singular scenery-Arrival at Fort Laramy-Cost of flour, etc.-Bridger and company-Alarming incident.

As they left their beautiful encampment, it was a noble sight. The eighteen wagons, with their snow white covering, winding down the long hill, followed by the immense train of horses, mules, and cattle of all kinds, their drivers walking by their side, merrily singing, or whistling, to beguile their way. As Dr. White stood on an elevation, he cast his eyes forward towards the wastes and wilds of the savage world they were to traverse, and back to his own loved, pleasant land, and it need not be inquired whether his reflections were of a very joyous nature. He felt much as he did two days previous, when parting with his old friend, Philip L. Edwards, whom he had known in Oregon. He had crossed the mountains with Mr. Lee, subsequently returned, and was now residing in western Missouri. He was greatly interested, and such were his sympathies for the doctor, that, had circumstances permitted, he would cheerfully have accompanied him to the territory.

Some curiosity may be felt as to the manner in which the wayfarers disposed of themselves, and herds especially,