Mr. Eells can tell you about Mr. Green's letter to me. We can now have little hope of a reinforcement. I do not think it best for me to say anything in relation to the subject hinted at in your first, but may at another time.
I am trying to burn some coal [charcoal] in order to have a little work done in the shop. I hope also to get a millwright for a few days to set the sawmill at work.
We would like scholars enough to take some of our time, the more the better. Mrs. Whitman is anxious also and more than willing to have as many as possible.
With esteem and expectation of seeing you and letting you have a first rate article of corn meal, with our united compliments to you all.
Yours truly,
Marcus Whitman.
A letter of an earlier date than that of Doctor Whitman, by one of the immigrants of 1843, is of great interest for a number of reasons. We give it here as containing the spirit of that first genuine American immigration, the one that sealed the American possession of Oregon.
Waiilatpu, October 27, 1843.
Jesse Looney to John C. Bond,