“Resolved, That it was not the intention of this house, in passing resolutions in favor of Dr. E. White, to recommend him to the government of the United States as a suitable person to fill any office in this Territory; and,
“Be it further resolved, That the clerk of this house forward, by some suitable person, an attested copy of this resolution, to the United States government.”
The house appointed J. M. Garrison, Speaker, pro tem.
McCarver, being thus plainly invited, left the house, and found that the clerk’s messenger had already gone for the documents. He returned in the afternoon and induced Mr. Smith, from Tualatin, to present the following resolution:—
“Resolved, That the vote requiring the Speaker to go in quest of Dr. E. White, for the purpose of erasing his name from certain documents in his possession to be by him conveyed to the United States, be reconsidered, and the Speaker restored to the chair.”
On the 18th of August, the arrival of a letter from Dr. E. White was announced, which was read, as follows:—
August 17, 1845.
To the Hon., etc.:
Gentlemen,—Being on my way, and having but a moment to reflect, I have been at much of a loss which of your two resolutions most to respect, or which to obey; but at length have become satisfied that the first was taken most soberly, and, as it answers my purpose best, I pledge myself to adhere strictly to that. Sincerely wishing you good luck in legislating,
I am, dear sirs, very respectfully yours,
E. White.
On the 20th, on motion of Mr. Applegate, it was
“Resolved, That the secretary be requested to forward to the United States government, through the American consul at the Sandwich Islands, a copy of the articles of compact, as adopted by the people of Oregon Territory, on the last Saturday of July, A. D. 1845; and that the same be signed by the governor, and attested by the secretary; also, all resolutions adopted by this house relative to sending said documents by E. White, late Indian agent of this Territory; also, a copy of the letter of E. White, directed to this house.”
These documents and papers, with depositions respecting White’s opening and destroying private letters, were prepared, duly signed, and sent on to the Sandwich Islands by Captain Couch, of the Lausanne, and reached Washington just in time for President Polk to refuse White an important commission in New Mexico. The President, on receiving the documents and learning of White’s course, asked an explanation, which he at first declined to give, on account of an attempt, as he alleged, of some low blackguards in Oregon to slander him. The legislative documents were referred to, when he found he was cornered, and left the President’s house without his appointment.
Thus ended, for a time, the official course of a base and unprincipled man, who seemed only to live and move for selfish ends. His influence as a missionary, and as an officer of the government, were alike vile and unprincipled. He sought friends and partisans only to deceive and betray them. Applegate, McCarver, Garrison, Lee, McClure, and Newell were compelled to acknowledge his deception. In fact, no one but the Hudson’s Bay Company could make any use of him, and with them he was considered an irresponsible man, and only useful as a tool to combine the Indians, and divide and destroy the influence of the settlement, as he had done that of the Methodist Mission.