WILLAMETTE VALLEY. 379 



cheese, strawberries and cream, and nice hot cakes, and an ample 

 supply for the large company. 



We were extremely desirous of obtaining information relative to 

 the future plans of these missionaries as to teaching and otherwise 

 forwarding the civilization of the Indian boys ; but from all that we 

 could learn from the missionaries, as well as lay members, my impres- 

 sion was, that no fixed plan of operations has yet been digested ; and 

 I was somewhat surprised to hear them talking of putting up exten- 

 sive buildings for missionary purposes, when it is fully apparent that 

 there is but a very limited field for spiritual operations in this part 

 of the country. The number now attached and under tuition are 

 probably all that can be converted, and it does not exceed the 

 number of those attached to the mission. I was exceedingly desi- 

 rous of drawing their attention to the tribes of the north, which are 

 a much more numerous and hardier race, with a healthy climate. It 

 is true that a mission station has been established at Nisqually, but 

 they are doing nothing with the native tribes, and that post is only 

 on the borders of many larger tribes to the northward. As the holders 

 of a charge, committed to their hands by a persevering and enlight- 

 ened class of Christians at home, who are greatly interested in their 

 doings and actions, they will be held responsible for any neglect in 

 the great cause they have undertaken to advance, and in which much 

 time and money have already been spent. 



That all may judge of the extent of this field of missionary labours, 

 I will enumerate the numbers of Indians within its limits. Nisqually, 

 two hundred ; Clatsop, two hundred and nine ; Chinooks, two hun- 

 dred and twenty; Kilamukes, four hundred ; Callapuyas, six hundred ; 

 Dalles, two hundred and fifty : say in all this district, two thousand 

 Indians ; and this field is in part occupied by the Catholics, as I have 

 before stated. Of these, the Methodist missionaries have under their 

 instruction, if so it may be called, twenty-five at the Willamette 

 station ; at the Dalles, and occasionally on the Klackamus river, 

 are the only places where divine service is attempted. I would 

 not have it understood that by these remarks I have any desire 

 to throw blame on those who direct or are concerned in this mis- 

 sionary enterprise, or to make any imputations on the labourers; 

 but I feel it a duty I owe my countrymen, to lay the truth before 

 them, such as we saw it. I am aware that the missionaries come out 

 to this country to colonize, and with the Christian religion as their 

 guide and law, to give the necessary instruction, and hold out in- 



