his real or pretended rights! The poor Indians of Oregon, who alone have a right to the country, are not consulted; Their future destiny will be, undoubtedly, like that of so many other unfortunate tribes who, after having lived peaceably by hunting and fishing for centuries, will finally dis
6 The following letter to Senator Benton, written about November 3f 1849, is of interest in this connection
Honorable Colonel Benton, .~ Sir;
"Agreeably to your request, I have the honor of sending you tl,e following statement of a fact that has fallen under my own cognizance. It occurred in the middle of June, 1846, on the war brig Modcste while lying before Fort Van Couver, on which I had been kindly invited to partake of a dinner, in company with the officers of the war vessel Fisgard, and several gentlemen from the fort.
"Among various topics of discussion, while at table, mention was made of the Oregon question, of which the officers appeared to be anxiously awaiting the result. One of the principal officers remarked, that if the question did not come to a speedy and favorable issue, they would take possession, not of the whole of Oregon only, but moreo% er add California to the conquest. I in my turn remarked that this was a' dream not easily realized, for supposing they did take Oregon for the moment, could not twenty or twenty-five thousand Americans cross the Rocky Mountains, early in the next summer, and almost without a blow, wrest from them the entire Oregon. As to California. I remarked that it was my idea, that the Yankees were there already, and that they, the British, would probably come too late; for that the Yankees, who never sleep over such bargains, would be master over the whole country, before the Britisher would land one single soldier on its shores. 'Are you a Yankee?' asked the captain, somewhat warmly. 'Not a horn one, Captain,' was my reply, `but I have the good luck of being a naturalized American, for these many years past - and in these matters all my good wishes are for the side of my, adopted country-if California is to fall into either hands, I hope the Oarspangled banner may wave triumphant there_"'
This incident is a strange reminder of a similar one so often related in the life of Doctor Whitman, but which historians generally agree in considering mythical. See Nixon, How a'Lfarcus Whirneon Sa: rd oregna, p. log.
The Fisgard was a frigate of forty-two guns, manned by a crew of 350, Captain J. A. Duntz. Bancroft says she "came to remain for the summer, or so long as the war-cloud threatened."