"Up to the time of writing his celebrated 'letter to the members of the House of Representatives,' I, in common with a large portion of the people here, was led to admire the ability, the zeal, and industry, with which Mr. Thurston conducted the business of this Territory. But in that portion of said letter, where he speaks of the Oregon City claim, I think he has placed himself in the position of the old cow, who, after giving a fine pail of milk, kicked it all over. With the disposal of said claim as contemplated in the bill, I have no fault to find; but with the means employed by Mr. Thurston to effect that end, I do find most serious fault.
"Some of these I will notice. Speaking of Dr. McLoughlin, he says: 'He still refuses to file his intentions to become an American citizen.' Now, I assert that Mr. Thurston knew, previous to the election, that Dr. McLoughlin had filed his intentions. I heard him say in a stump speech, at the City Hotel, that he expected his (the Doctor's) vote. At the election I happened to be one of the Judges; Dr. McLoughlin came up to vote; the question was asked by myself, if he had filed his intentions? The Clerk of the Court, George L. Curry, Esq., who was standing near the window, said that he had. He voted. Some time after the election, when I was holding the office of Justice of the Peace, in Oregon City, Mr. Thurston came to me, in company with a man whose name I have forgotten, having an affidavit already prepared which he wished sworn to, and subscribed by this man; which was done. Said affidavit went to state that Dr. McLoughlin had written a letter, or letters, to some French settlers north of the Columbia, directing them to oppose Thurston and vote for Lancaster, &c., &c. I merely mention this circumstance to show that Mr. Thurston knew exactly how Dr. McLoughlin stood. The assertion of Mr. Thurston that Dr. McLoughlin has 'worked diligently to break down the settlements,' is also without foundation. There are scores of persons in this valley of the early emigrants, who testify to the kindness received at the hands of Dr. McLoughlin. And many there are who would doubtless have perished had it not been for his humane attention. He helped them to descend the Columbia—fed them, clothed them; and now he is accused of 'working diligently to break down the settlements!'
"I shall notice but one more of Mr. Thurston's assertions in regard to this claim. Mr. Thurston says: 'The Methodist Mission first took this claim.' Now this is an assertion which any one who knows anything about the history of Oregon City, knows to be utterly without foundation.—On the contrary the said Methodist Mission never had a right to any part of said claim, unless jumping constitutes right.
"In what I have said about Dr. McLoughlin, I have not spoken from interested motives. I never received any favor at his hands, nor do I expect to. But I am ashamed of the course of our Delegate; I think it is unbecoming the Representative of a magnanimous people.
"What must be the feelings of Dr. McLoughlin? A man whose head is whitened by the frosts of perhaps eighty winters! Who, during that long period has been living subject to the nation under whose flag he was born. And who, at that advanced age declares his intention of becoming a citizen of our great Republic.—I say what must be his feelings? and what must be the feelings of all candid men—of all men of honor and magnanimity, who have read Mr. Thurston's letter. And yet this same Honorable (?) Delegate in his address to his constituents lectures us upon Religion and Morality.
"Very respectfully, yours,
"Wm. J. Berry."
DOCUMENT N
Excerpts from speech of Samuel R. Thurston in Congress, December 26, 1850.