The Methodist Mission influence was the most difficult to deal with. We were fully aware of their large pretensions to land, and of the consummate duplicity of White, in dealing with all parties. White, to secure the approval of the Methodist Mission, encouraged their large pretensions to mission lands, and also spoke favorably of the Jesuit influence among the Indians; while, if he had had two grains of common sense and common honesty, he could have seen their influence was tending to destroy all of his, as well as all American influence in the country. Still his supremely selfish ideas of self-honor and official dignity led him to pursue a course disgusting to all parties.
During the time between the first and second “wolf meetings,” White was called upon in a public manner to exhibit his authority from the President, which he was foolish enough to do. It was seen at once that he was in the country only as a spy upon the actions of the Hudson’s Bay Company, while he assumed to make treaties with Indians, and govern the country, and make pledges and promises, which no one believed the government would ever attempt to fulfill.
As a matter of history and curiosity, the proceedings of the “wolf meetings” are copied from the Oregon archives, which Mr. Hines, it seems, did not even know had an existence, showing, by his own statements, that he was so completely mixed up in his ideas of the origin of the provisional government, that though he is generally correct in his statements, yet he failed to distinguish the point of conception and birth of the oldest State on the Pacific, for I contend that justice to our effort and a proper understanding of our rights should have admitted us as a State instead of subjecting us to a Territorial annoyance, under such demagogues as were sent among us up to the time we became a State.
Proceedings of a Meeting held at the Oregon Institute, February 2, 1843.
A public meeting of a number of the citizens of this colony was called at the house of W. H. Gray, in order to take into consideration the propriety of adopting some measures for the protection of our herds, etc., in this country.
On motion, Dr. I. L. Babcock was called to the chair, who proceeded to state the objects of the meeting, and the necessity of acting.
Mr. W. H. Gray moved, and Mr. Torn seconded the motion, “that a committee of six be appointed to notify a general meeting, and report business, etc.,” which motion was carried, and Messrs. Gray, Beers, Gervais, Wilson, Barnaby, and Lucie, were appointed said committee.
Mr. Beers moved “that a general meeting be called at the house of Mr. Joseph Gervais, on the first Monday in March next, at ten o’clock, A. M.,” which motion was carried.
W. H. Wilson, Secretary.
I. L. Babcock, Chairman.
Journal of a Meeting at the house of J. Gervais, first Monday in March, 1843.