For convenience I shall first mention the Presbyterian
missionaries, although they came two years later than the first Methodist
missionaries. Rev. Samuel Parker was the first Presbyterian
minister to arrive in Oregon. He came in 1835. He started to Oregon with
Doctor Marcus Whitman, but Whitman returned East from Green River to obtain
more associates for the Mission. These came out with Dr. Whitman in 1836.
Parker returned home by sea, reaching his home in 1837. Parker published a
book called, "Journal of an Exploring Tour beyond the Rocky Mountains." The
first edition was published in Ithaca, New York, in 1838. On page 138 of his
book he says: "At two in the afternoon, arrived at Fort Vancouver, and never
did I feel more joyful to set my feet on shore, where I expected to find a
hospitable people and the comforts of life. Doc. J. McLoughlin, -a chief
factor and superintendent of this fort and of the business of the Company
west of the Rocky Mountains, received me with many expressions of kindness,
and invited me to make his residence my home for the Winter, and as long as
it would suit my convenience. Never could such an invitation be more
thankfully received." On page 158 he says: "Here, [Fort Vancouver] by the
kind invitation of Dr. McLoughlin, and welcomed by the other gentlemen of
the Hudson Bay Company, I took up my residence for the winter." And on page
263 he says: "Monday, nth April [1836]. Having made arrangements to leave
this place on the 14th, I called upon the chief clerk for my bill. He said
the Company had made no bill against me, but felt a pleasure in gratuitously
conferring all they have done for the benefit-of the object in which I am
engaged. In justice to my own feelings, and in gratitude to the Honorable
Company, I would bear testimony to their consistent politeness and
generosity; and while I do this, I would express my anxiety for their
salvation, and that they may be rewarded in spiritual blessings. In addition
to the civilities I had received as a guest, I had drawn upon their store
for clothing, for goods to pay my Indians, whom I had employed to convey me
in canoes, in my various journeyings, hundreds of miles; to pay my guides
and interpreters; and have drawn upon their provision store for the support
of these men while in my employ." In 1836 Dr. Marcus Whitman came to Oregon.
With him came his wife, Rev. Henry H. Spalding and wife, and W. H. Gray, a
layman. They arrived at Fort Vancouver September 1, 1836. Here they were
most hospitably entertained by Dr. McLoughlin and the other gentlemen of the
Hudson's Bay Company, and all necessary and convenient assistance to these
missionaries was freely given. When these missionaries arrived at Vancouver,
they had hardly more than the clothes they had on. They concluded to locate
one mission near Waiilatpu, near the present city of Walla Walla,
Washington; and another at Lapwai, near the present city of Lewiston, Idaho.
Mrs. Whitman and Mrs. Spalding remained at Fort Vancouver for several
months, while their husbands and Gray were erecting the necessary houses at
the Missions. |