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 Notes on Joseph Lane For much more about Lane, click here.
 Joseph Lane is elected to represent the county of Vanderburgh. "From the Indiana Gazette," Indiana Farmer, Salem, Indiana, August 30, 1822, page 2 The following communication, copied from the Evansville Journal, will serve to show that the people of the South West begin to feel an interest in the cause of internal improvement. Mr. Breckenridge who declines a re election, has been a decided enemy to Internal Improvement, and to every liberal system of policy calculated to promote the interests of the state. We opine Mr. B. backs out opportunely. [EDITORS.
To the Editor of the Evansville
Journal.SIR:-- It is universally admitted that the next session of the Indiana Legislature will be the most important of any since the formation of our state government. It is probable that some plan will be adopted at the next session for laying the foundation of a general system of internal improvements--a measure upon which the future prosperity of Indiana so much depends. Fears are entertained that many wild schemes will be advocated by some, while lethargy and a cold, narrow-sighted policy may control others. In the selection of a Senator for the counties of Posey, Vanderburgh, and Warrick, we conceive that all party and personal considerations should be laid aside, and that a selection should be made with an eye single to the interests of those counties. The people should be studiously careful to select men for those important stations who, while they give a firm, steady, and energetic support to a prudent system of internal improvements, will at the same time guard them against every wild, chimerical, and tax-burdening scheme that may be introduced. For this purpose, it is necessary to select men of experience and integrity, whose individual interests are known to be identified with our own. We have, therefore, thought proper to suggest the name of Col. JOSEPH LANE for the Senator, and General R. M. EVANS for Representative, These gentlemen have had much experience in legislative bodies, and they are so well known that comment is deemed unnecessary. We know not their wishes upon the subject of becoming candidates, but we feel assured that if called by the voice of their country they will not hesitate to obey.* MANY VOTERS.
*This nomination is predicated upon the
information that the Hon. C. J. Battell has resigned his seat as
Senator, and that J. A. Breckenridge, Esq. declines being a candidate
for reelection.Republican and Banner, Madison, Indiana, April 16, 1835, page 3 COL. JOSEPH LANE is a candidate for State Senator from the district composed of the counties of Vanderburgh, Posey and Warrick. Indiana Journal, Indianapolis, March 30, 1839, page 2 Mr. Joseph Lane, senator-elect from the counties of Posey, Vanderburgh, and Warrick, appeared, produced his credentials, was sworn into office, and took his seat. "Indiana Legislature, In Senate," Indiana Journal, Indianapolis, January 18, 1840, page 1 Vacancy in the State Senate.--Joseph Lane Esq. (V.B.), senator from the district composed of Posey, Vanderburgh, and Warrick counties, has resigned. The candidates to fill the vacancy are Eben D. Edson, John W. Lilleston, and James Lockhart, the latter of whom will be remembered as a former aspirant to a seat in Congress, the pretensions to which he relinquished, before the election, in favor of Robert Dale Owen. The V.B. majority in this senatorial district, at the late election, was 222. Indiana Journal, Indianapolis, December 5, 1840, page 5 As the districts stood previous to the last apportionment, Warrick, Vanderburgh, and Posey counties composed a senatorial district. From the district as thus composed, JOSEPH LANE was elected in 1839, for the term of three years. He served at the session of 39-40, one year, and resigned. GAINS H. ROBERTS of Warrick County was then elected to serve the remainder of Mr. Lane's term. He served at the session of 40-41, at which the new apportionment was made. "Posey and Vanderburgh Senator," Indiana State Sentinel, Indianapolis, November 29, 1842, page 3 BRING HIM OUT.--We are anxious that JOE LANE should not be permitted to go to the legislature, without some opposition. We shall have no fun if he runs alone. If our opponents have got "a horse in the stable" that can beat him, we call upon them to produce him instanter. P.S. Since the above was in type, the Journal has come to hand, with the name of WILLIAM C. PELHAM, of Posey, as the Whig candidate for Senator. A good man, but easy to beat. Indiana Statesman, New Harmony, Indiana, June 29, 1844, page 3 COL. LANE AND RELIEF.
We understand that some of the Locos
of Posey County are finding fault with the views put forth by Mr.
Pelham,
the Whig candidate for the State Senate, in his circular upon the
subject
of Relief; though what their objections are, we are not at
present prepared to say, and if we are correctly informed
they hardly know themselves.Well, as they will probably like their own candidate's sentiments and conduct better, we respectfully beg leave to recall to their memories a few facts which have some bearing upon this subject of Relief. Colonel Lane, it will be remembered, was elected to the Senate in August 1839. The Legislature met December 2nd following. Colonel Lane, as appears by the Senate Journal, took his seat in that body, for the first time, on the 6th of January 1840, just one month and five days after the session commenced. A bill was pending authorizing the issue of scrip to contractors, which had been amended so as to make scrip receivable for taxes &c. Mr. Moffat moved to amend this bill so as to require all officers (including the members of the Legislature, as well those who were to be paid full wages for half work as others) to receive the same scrip for salaries and per diem allowances, or wait one year or until the state should be able to redeem the same. COL. JOSEPH LANE voted against this amendment; while he supported the hill which required the contractors to take the scrip, and also to submit to au illegal and tyrannical canceling of their contracts before they could get that. COL. LANE also voted, at every stage, against the Relief Law of 1840. COL. LANE also voted against the BILL ABOLISHING IMPRISONMENT FOR DEBT, that odious relic of barbarous times which so long disgraced our statute book. All this these grumblers at Mr. Pelham's circular will doubtless consider very proper and very democratic in Col. Lane; but we think there are a few good honest Democrats--(Democrats in fact as well as name) over in Posey who will regard such a course as evincing rather too much solicitude for the Relief of Col. Lane, and too little for that of the people, and will therefore feel under no obligation to discard au old friend and neighbor merely because his opponent pleases to call himself a Democrat while his every act is as opposite to true Democracy as night is to day. Evansville Journal, Evansville, Indiana, July 11, 1844, page 3 NEW HARMONY, JULY
15, 1844.
MR. CHANDLER:--You will see by the last Statesman, of Saturday, that our little editor is endeavoring to create prejudice against Mr. Pelham, on account of Mr. Pitcher's having made a speech here on Saturday, the 6th ult., in answer to a general call made upon him by the meeting. Mr. Pelham was not present on that occasion, whereupon our little guardian of modern progressive Polk Democracy seizes upon that circumstance to endeavor to create the false impression that Mr. Pelham was afraid to meet his opponent Col. Lane before the people, and with his usual regard for truth he unblushingly asserts the falsehood that Mr. Pitcher had been "employed by the Whigs to plead Mr. Pelham's Jeffersonian Democracy." Now the simple truth is that this is a most pitiful attempt of Mr. Owen's "organ" to divert public attention from the shameful conduct of the Harmony locofoco clique, who under the name of a Democratic association seek to control the politics of the county. The first speaker on this occasion was the Hon. Robert Dale Owen, who occupied his hour in telling the people what the late Democratic Congress had not done. The Democratic House (he said) had not passed the bill to reduce the tariff, because the Democratic members from Pennsylvania and New York would not consent to a measure which they considered so destructive to the interests of their constituents, and because if the Democratic House had passed the bill the Whig Senate would not have done so. That the Democratic House did not pass the Whig Senate bill for a general reduction of postages, so that poor men could afford to write and receive letters, because it was not reached. And why were these and other important measures not reached (as Mr. Owen says) by the Democratic House of Representatives? Because, says Mr. O., the members were engaged in making stump speeches up to the very last days of the session, to the total exclusion of all business. Thus, according to Mr. O.'s account the locofoco members of the late House of Representatives instead of attending to the legitimate business of Congress, and the interests of their constituents, have been receiving their eight dollars per diem for the important service of persuading the people that they ought to vote for Messrs. Polk and Dallas, and yet these gentlemen are constantly preaching economy to the people, whilst they are comfortably pocketing eight dollars per day of their money, for no other service than making electioneering speeches. Mr. Owen concluded with a considerable sprinkling of self-glorification, and by declaring himself in favor of the Sub-treasury and the annexation of Texas, and of course opposed to all protection to American labor. He was followed by Dr. Lee, in a plain and lucid argument in favor of protecting our farmers, mechanics, and manufacturers against British competition. Next came Col. Joseph Lane, with a tremendous pile of books and documents to prove himself a real simon pure Jeffersonian Democrat "dyed in the wool," and this was the sum total of his very "forcible speech," to prove himself a Democrat, and that his opponent (Mr. Pelham) could never possibly be so. Because Mr. P., his competitor, was in favor of a "uniform national currency, regulated by the will and authority of the nation," and for protecting American industry against foreign pauper labor, to both of which measures he (Col. Lane) was uncompromisingly opposed. Ergo, he, the said Col. (according to his own reasoning, at least), is a real Jeffersonian Democrat, and his opponent (Mr. Pelham) is not. The Col. declared himself in favor of the existing relief laws, but omitted to tell the people that whilst he was in the State Senate, when the first relief measures were introduced, he opposed them at every instance. The Col. very prudently forgot to mention this little matter, no doubt concluding it might not be very popular for him to do so, but that he was a real Democrat he was quite certain. Alter Mr. Endicott had appeared upon the stump, and made some confused and stammering remarks in which he finally succeeded in making the audience understand that he too considered himself a real Democrat, a general call was made upon Mr. Pitcher, but the moment he appeared upon the stand the Harmony clique, having the fear of true Democratic principles before their eyes, were seized with such a panic, and became so much alarmed for the safety of the bones of locofocoism, that the President and ex-Secretary of this self-styled "Democratic association" absolutely sprung upon the benches and bawled out most lustily for all true Democrats to leave the House, and thereupon, the members of the aforesaid "Democratic association," led on, or rather off, by their President, with a most terrific cry rushed towards door as if his satanic majesty had actually been at their heels, calling out at the top of their lungs, "Come on, Democrats." To the infinite surprise and vexation of these secret guardians of the Democracy of Posey, the scheme did not work, and they soon found themselves alone. The respectable part of the audience had determined to remain. They were evidently of the opinion that nothing ought to be feared from a full, free and fair discussion, and were consequently determined to maintain their ground and hear both sides fairly argued. Thereupon finding that all their efforts were unavailing to induce the people to follow their shameful example of endeavoring to break up the meeting in a general row, the President and members of this "Democratic secret association," quite chapfallen, and as you may well imagine in no very pleasant mood, returned to the meeting and doggedly submitted to the severe castigation, which was well and skillfully administered to them, by Mr. Pitcher. Thus terminated the grand effort of this little Harmony locofoco clique to put down discussion, and keep facts from the people, the signal failure of which is the true cause of the Statesman's attack upon Mr. Pelham. Very truly yours,
Evansville
Journal, Evansville, Indiana, July 25, 1844, page 2FAIR PLAY. POSEY--For the Senate, Joseph Lane, loco, 1039; William C. Pelham, w., 571. Indiana State Journal, Indianapolis, August 17, 1844, page 2
Next came Gen. Joseph Lane, of the
Indiana Brigade. He was on the field from the onset to the close of the
action, and never did any man more heroically devote himself to his
duty. The thickest of the fight had no terrors for him, and to an
observer it would seem that he was heaven defended, for he was
continually passing in all directions against a shower of bullets. He
was, however, severely wounded through the right arm, the ball passing
about midway between his shoulder and elbow, through the center of the
arm, yet not breaking the bone.
"Letter from Major A. F. Morrison," Indiana State Journal, Indianapolis, April 27, 1847, page 3 The steamship Telegraph, Capt. Auld, arrived at New Orleans on Sunday evening, having left Vera Cruz on the 4th inst., Tampico on the 7th, and Brazos Santiago on the 9th. The Telegraph brought over, among others, the following passengers from the Brazos: Brig. Gen. Joseph Lane, and almost fifty officers of the Mississippi, Illinois and Ohio regiments, and 500 volunters and teamsters, under the command of Lt. Geo. W. McCook. "From the Army of Gen. Scott," Hocking Sentinel, Logan, Ohio, June 30, 1847, page 3 Col. Marshall, who was commander of the Kentucky cavalry at Buena Vista, has published a lengthy report in the Louisville Journal of yesterday, reviewing the late supplemental report of Brigadier General Joseph Lane. Col. M. defends himself in strong language against the charge made by Gen. Lane that the cavalry under his (Marshall's) command retreated before they received a fire from the enemy. It is a well-written document. Fort Wayne Sentinel, Fort Wayne, Indiana, July 17, 1847, page 2 A sumptuous dinner came off at Evansville, on the 2nd inst., in honor of Brigadier General Joseph lane, who had just returned from Mexico. The Journal speaks of it as a splendid affair.--Terre Haute Express. Indiana American, Brookville, Indiana, July 30, 1847, page 2 Gen. Joseph Lane arrived at Mier on the 5th of August. Lafayette Courier, Lafayette, Indiana, September 17, 1847, page 2 Leave granted, Mr. Cookerly introduced a joint resolution relative to giving power to the Governor to procure a sword with suitable emblems and inscriptions thereon, expressive of the admiration and feelings of the people of the state of Indiana, to be presented to Brigadier General Joseph Lane of Indiana, for his distinguished services on the battlefield of Buena Vista; passed to a second reading. "Indiana Legislature, House of Representatives, January 10, 1848," Indiana State Sentinel, Indianapolis, January 20, 1848, page 1 GEN. JOSEPH LANE AND HIS MEXICAN DETRACTORS.--As a tribute of truth and an act of justice to a most brave and meritorious officer, the following copy of a letter, by a nearly unanimous majority of the officers in his brigade, to Gen. Lane, which has been placed in our hands, is made public. It is not only an abundant vindication from slanders upon him, upon the troops under his command, and upon the cause in which they are engaged--but it affords a more intimate account of many facts connected with operations around Puebla than has yet been published. The causes which called forth this communication will be found very fully stated in the paper itself. Gen. Lane has rendered so many and important services to the country that his fellow citizens will be ready and eager as were his officers to repel any calumny against him, especially when originating in the statements of Mexicans. He is a worthy representative of western character--all of its indomitable courage--its resistless energy--its generosity and integrity. For the Indiana Stale Sentinel.
COPY OF PROCEEDINGS
Of a Meeting of the Officers of
the United States Army,
Held at Puebla, Mexico, Dec. 9, 1847. PUEBLA, MEXICO,
Dec. 9, 1847.
To Brig. Gen. JOSEPH LANE,Commanding Department of Puebla. SIR: The undersigned, officers in the brigade under your command, have seen, with infinite regret, a communication from the Bishop of Puebla, covering and enclosing a communication from Sr. Baltazar, Prefect, addressed through Col. Childs, Civil and Military Governor of this city, to the general commanding in chief. In these papers, complaint is made that, through your direction or permission, and by the troops under your command, defenseless towns have been entered, and the persons and property of noncombatants outraged--that churches have been broken open, especially that of San Francisco at Tlaxcala, and the sacred vestments stolen therefrom, worn in public profanation by soldiers, &c. &c. It is further set forth that these acts of outrage and sacrilege had been committed contrary to the protestations of Governor Childs--that he had done all in his power to remedy them, but that even he had been unable to recover all the church property plundered of Tlaxcala--and, to prevent future like acts of desecration, the General-in-Chief is implored to "strike at the root of the evil," by directing the order especially to you for the restraint of the troops under your immediate command. This document, printed in the Spanish tongue, is being hawked about and sold by hundreds in the streets, at a time when the inflammable and vindictive populace is encouraged to acts of open hostility and secret assassination, by the small number of troops under your command, and your inability, from the absence of mounted men, to scourge, as heretofore, the enemy's guerrillas back to their lairs at a distance. It seems inconceivable to us that Gov. Childs--if he possesses a knowledge of the true character of this document, in view of the regulations, of all established military etiquette of the truth as we know it to be and of the honor of American arms--can have forwarded at all, much less with approval, these libels upon you and your command. But in the possible contingency that he may have transmitted it, through inadvertancy or otherwise, it is due to you, to ourselves, and to truth and the national arms, to state the facts as they are. We do, therefore, General, make the following statement, which you are at liberty to use as you deem expedient, the correctness of which we are prepared to maintain by any test and before any tribunal. First, then, in relation to the entering of defenseless towns, and the outraging of the persons and property of noncombatants--so far as this relates to the city of Puebla, you entered it with your command, at the earnest and repeated solicitation of Gov. Childs, to rescue it and him from an infuriated enemy, quartered and fortified in more than one of its many churches. It was not a defenseless place--Col. Gorman and his officers can testify that they were fired upon near the eastern gate of the city, as also can Lt. Col. Dumont, commanding a detachment of that regiment, and the officers under him, and they fought and pursued a strong body of guerrillas, interchanging volley after volley into and through it. Colonel Brough and his officers can declare that they were fired upon by more than fifty guerrillas from the church of San Francisco, on the topmost spire of which floated a lancer's flag upon their first entrance. And Lt. Col. Moor, of the Ohio Regt., commanding a detachment with his officers, can also affirm that they fought and pursued another large body of the enemy from street to street, being also fired upon from windows and housetops at almost every step; and that the enemy made a final and desperate stand under cover of the church at the Alameda; further, that, before the door of that very church, they found the horridly mutilated corpses of several soldiers of Col. Child's command, who had been overpowered and slain that very morning. That some acts of pillage were committed that afternoon and the night following is true. There are bad men everywhere, and it cannot be claimed that your command is wholly exempt. Something, however, must be allowed to the excited passions of men, so opposed by an enemy fighting, not for victory, but for slaughter--and something more must be allowed for the first chaos of a conquered city, before government can be organized. Yet, even in respect to these acts, we unitedly aver that they were less extensive and flagrant than the wrongs committed by the Mexican troops upon their own people, noncombatants, these latter being witnesses; that by far the greater portion of them were committed by men under the immediate command of Gov. Childs, and that every possible effort was made by you, sir, eventually with success, to arrest them. And equally unwarranted is the charge in respect to the entrances of Atlixco, Tlaxcala, and Matamoros. The enemy had contested every practicable position for six miles of the road leading to Atlixco. Routed and driven with loss from each of these, by the cavalry under command of Capts. Ford and Lewis, they lined the hedges and housetops on the outskirts of the town, and discharged repeated volleys of small arms as the head of the infantry column approached. It was then quite dark--the plan of the town was unknown--the enemy in apparent force, and, as all supposed, with artillery. Under these circumstances, with the advice and approbation of every field officer near your person, you directed the artillery to open and continue its fire until the enemy's musketry was silenced. Even then, the town was not formally surrendered until we had entered it in force. The command of Col. Brough was quartered in the buildings appendant to a church, in which were found a quantity of bread for the enemy's troops, a room, seats, ink, paint, and a brazier containing yet living coals--that same room having been the guerrilla headquarters. In another church, as we have since then creditably informed, were there concealed four pieces of cannon and other arms. You made every exertion to prevent acts of pillage, and succeeded so far as was practicable. The first entrance into Tlaxcala we cannot suppose to be subject matter of complaint. The enemy was there and forcibly driven out. The second expedition to that town was projected by you, at eleven o'clock at night, at the instance of merchants, noncombatants, some of them Mexicans, all having American protection, who had been robbed by Gen. Rea of goods of immense value. The infantry, to the number of 400, in six hours marched upwards of 20 miles over rough road, and in the night, to recover and restore these goods. You entered with the cavalry under Capt. Roberts in advance--found the church of San Francisco in possession of guerrillas, and were fired upon from thence. Afterwards, Lt. Col. Dumont, with his command, seized at this church a large number of horses and arms, and several guerrilla officers and soldiers, concealed within its recesses. You found the merchant train in the art of being fired by Rea and his robbers, who, since they could not keep, were determined to destroy this argosy of noncombatants. From out of the very building whence had issued a squad of thirty guerrillas, you obtained forage, and because it was claimed, with apparent truth, as private property, caused it to be paid for. You enjoined upon Col. Brough, left in command for the protection of the merchants' train, to protect also the persons and property of the citizens; and with such fidelity was this duty performed that a soldier caught plundering, and refusing to stop his flight or restore the goods he had taken, was shot and killed by the patrol. In the affair of Matamoros, but few of us participated. We have every assurance that it was not a defenseless town, but, on the contrary, a recruiting station and depot of provisions, clothing and arms, garrisoned by two or three hundred troops, with artillery. Defenseless it may have been when you left it--not when you entered it. Then as to the specific charge of breaking open and violating the church of San Francisco, at Tlaxcala, and the public profanation of sacred vestments stolen therefrom. This we understand to be the church in which the guerrillas were quartered, which you fired upon, and in which the horses, arms and persons of a large number of them were concealed. It was already broken open by guerrillas, or had been willingly opened to them. The vestments in question were found scattered on the floor in various places. A few thoughtless men took and brought some of them away. Upon the return march, in two or three instances, they exposed them upon their persons; which, as soon as it came to the notice of their officers, was rebuked and the things secured. When the command reached Puebla, we were met by an order from you, sir, to deliver up, at headquarters, all property taken at Tlaxcala. These vestments were so delivered--strict search being made among the men, and every vestment that could be found--all, we believe, that was in their possession--voluntarily given up by, or taken from them. If, in the face of this order, search for and restoration of things not stolen, but improperly taken away from where they were lying underfoot, a soldier had the assurance to display such a garment upon his person in public, two conclusions are irresistible: First, that the man was not a knave, but a fool; and second, that who so imputes the act to you or your command as an outrage upon the religion of the country, is not a fool, but an incendiary enemy and arrant knave. We must be pardoned the use of such language, since there are no other terms sufficiently strong to express our indignant sense of the calumny charged, that you had permitted, or even failed to rebuke, an outrage upon the prevailing form of religious worship. It is strange to us that it should be said "that even Gov. Childs had been unable to recover and return all of the church property in question." The truth is that he recovered none of it, although he was the medium of restoring that which was taken to headquarters in pursuance to your order. Our purpose is not accusation, but vindication. We forbear, therefore, to inquire by what means the popularity so vaunted at your expense has been obtained among a hostile and vindictive people. You, sir, may well afford to admit that you have only treated them justly--you have flogged their armed bands too severely ever to become a favorite. With sentiments of the highest esteem, we are, General, your obedient servants, [Signed]
W. A. GORMAN, Col.
4th Indiana regiment.
C. H. BROUGH, Col. 4th Ohio regt. E. DUMONT, Lieut. Col. 4th Indiana regt. A. MOOR, Lieut. Col. 4th Ohio regt. LORENZO LEWIS, Capt. La. Mounted Vols. G. A. RICHMOND, Capt. Ohio Vols. JESSE J. ALEXANDER, Capt. 4th Indiana regt. JOHN W. CROOKS, Capt. 4th Indiana regt. D. LUNDERMAN, Capt. 4th Indiana regt. M. L. PAYNE, Capt. 4th Indiana regt. A. L. MASON, Capt 4th Indiana regt. H. KESSLER , Capt. 4th Ohio regt. S. P. MOSES, 1st Lieut. 4th Ohio regt. ALBERT G. BRACKETT, 1st Lieut. 4th Indiana regt. J. S. S. D. CAREY, 1st Lieut. 4th Indiana regt. JOHN C. GROOM, 1st Lieut. 4th Ohio regt. E. ROESSLER, 1st Lieut. 4th Ohio regt. ALEXANDER HAYS, Br. 1st Lieut. 8th Infantry. SAMUEL DOUGLASS, 1st Lieut. 4th Ohio regt. and Aide to Brig. Gen. Lane. GUSTAVUS H. WAY, 1st Lieut. 4th Indiana regt. M. M. VAN DUSEN, 1st Lieut. 4th Indiana regt. A. B. B. LEWIS, 1st Lieut. 4th Indiana regt. S. W. WATERS, 1st Lieut. La. Mounted Vols. BEDNEY F. McDONALD, 3rd Artillery U.S.A. W. FITZGIBBON, Capt. 4th Indiana regt. JAMES A. GRAHAM, 2nd Lieut. 4th Indiana regt. HENRY WILTZ, 2nd Lieut. 4th Ohio regt. JOHN W. DODD, Adj. and Lieut. 4th Indiana regt. J. C. LITTELL, 1st Lieut. 4th Indiana regt. D. B. ROBINSON, 1st Lieut. 4th Ohio regt. JONATHAN LEE, 1st Lieut. 4th Indiana regt. JOHN N. DYER, 2nd Lieut. 4th Ohio regt. BENJ. PILLBEAN, 2nd Lieut. 4th Indiana regt. NOBLE HAMILTON, 2nd Lieut. 4th Indiana regt. JOHN W. MULLEN. 2nd Lieut. 4th Indiana regt. THOMAS D. LUCAS, 2nd Lieut. 4th Indiana regt. JAMES R. MILLS, 2nd Lieut. 4th Indiana regt. WM. K. McCLANE, 2nd Lieut. 4th Indiana regt. ISAAC FARLEY, Surgeon 4th Indiana regt. D. S. BARBER, 2nd Lieut. 4th Indiana regt. C. C. GRAHAM, 1st Lieut. 4th Indiana regt. LOTHAR EISEN, 2nd Lieut. 4th Ohio regt. JOHN FRIES, Capt. 4th Indiana regt. M. C. LILLY, Capt. 4th Ohio regt. S. P. SAYRE, 1st Lieut. 4th Ohio regt. CHARLES HEUA, 2nd Lieut. 4th Ohio regt. EDWARD CANTWELL, 2nd Lieut. 12th Infantry. ----
Account of the Proceedings of a
Meeting Held Dec. 9, 1847, at Puebla.
At a meeting of the officers of the army at Puebla, Mexico, December 9,
1847, Lt. Col. Moor of the 4th Ohio vols. was called to the chair, and
Capt. A. L. Mason, of the 4th Indiana vols., was requested to act as
secretary. Col. Gorman, of the 4th Indiana vols., being called upon,
explained the object of the meeting.Col. Brough, of the 4th Ohio vols., being called upon, read the following article (address, as set forth above) which, upon motion of Lieut. Douglass, was» adopted as the sentiments of this meeting. On motion of Lieut. Douglass it was also Resolved, That Lieut. Whipple, Assistant Adj. Gen., be requested to furnish a committee appointed by this meeting, composed of Lieuts. B. F. McDonald, S. W. Waters and Alex. Hays, with a statement of conversation between himself and the Prefect of Puebla this day. On motion of Col. Gorman, it was Resolved, That a copy of the article read by Col. Brough, signed by the officers present, be furnished Brig. Gen. Joseph Lane. On motion of Lieut. Col. Dumont, it was Resolved, That Col. Gorman, Col. Brough, Capt. Lewis and Capt. Kressler be appointed a committee to obtain a medal and present the same to Brig. Gen. Joseph Lane, in the name of the officers of his brigade. On motion of Col. Brough, Lieut. Col. Dumont was added to said committee. On motion of Lieut. S. W. Waters, it was Resolved, That the proceedings of this meeting be signed by its officers, be published in the papers generally of the United States. After some most happy remarks by Col. Brough, Col. Gorman, Lieut. Col. Dumont, and others, the meeting adjourned. A. MOOR,
Lieut. Col. 4th Ohio Vols., President.
A. L. MASON, Capt. Company K, 4th Indiana.
Vols., Secretary.Indiana State Sentinel, Indianapolis, January 20, 1848, page 6 General Joseph Lane.
The last Indiana Journal, by
innuendo, charges General Lane with improper, or rather felonious
conduct, in suffering Col. Hays to keep Santa Anna's military coat,
costing some eight hundred dollars, as a trophy of war. The Journal's morality
would teach General Lane to deliver up the military articles found in
Santa Anna's apartment, after the bird had flown from Tehuacan. The Indiana Journal
appears to have great antipathy to General Lane, at a time too, when
the whole Union is lisping his praises as a brave and meritorious
officer. Last winter that paper charged him, in a communication, with
being drunk on the battlefield of Buena Vista. Is there any reason for
this abuse--for these charges of robbery and drunkenness--other than
that Gen. Lane is a Democrat? Gen. Lane has been a member of both
branches of our State Legislature; and is there a man that has ever
heard the charge of intemperance urged or even insinuated against him;
and we ask, in seriousness, even before his bravery was tested at Buena
Vista and other fields of Mexico, was there a man in Indiana that ever
supposed he would need the aid of the bottle to give him courage.There is no reason that can be urged for the course of the Journal, other than a desire, on the part of its editor, to disgrace our state. But what better could be expected from a paper that in 1840 said and sung such mournful ditties against employing bloodhounds in the Florida war, that now, in the very last number, when it appears that General Taylor was the author of that system of warfare in Florida, quietly takes back all its former abuse, and thinks the General was perfectly right in his recommendation of these dogs to the War Department. So far as General Lane is concerned, his conduct stands far above the puny efforts of the Journal to assail him. The first assaults of the Journal we passed by, as unworthy of notice; but it is due to the character of Indiana that the course of the Journal should be reproved. The name of Joseph Lane is destined to go down to posterity as one of the brightest stars in the galaxy of our renown, and the day will come when even the editor of that print, reckless as he is, will be ashamed of his puny attacks. They betray a disregard of private justice, which the humblest citizen of our state might demand from the hands of another, and show that the Indiana Journal is willing to blast the reputation of our state forever, if a contemptible party advantage might thereby be promoted. We are sick of human nature on witnessing such depravity. Indiana State Sentinel, Indianapolis, March 9, 1848, page 6 Brig. Gen. Joseph Lane.
If I were to select a fine specimen of a
backwoodsman (says Cist's
Advertiser) it should be
Joseph Lane. I would take a foreigner, if in my power, 50 miles to
visit Lane, as an admirable illustration of the workings of our
political and social institution.I know nothing of his early history, and presume it to be that of thousands in the West. I know him only as a farmer and wood merchant, on the banks of the Ohio, in which character I first made his acquaintance. He came on board the S. B. Andrew Jackson, to receive pay for a lot of wood sold the boat, and was introduced to me by Capt. Eckert. He wore a blanket coat, and his general appearance was that of a backwoodsman, but I had not conversed with him five minutes before I set him down as a man of no ordinary cast. Later and more intimate acquaintance confirmed my judgment, and in his late military career in Mexico he has shone conspicuous for gallantry and good conduct, even in the galaxy of heroes which the war with Mexico has brought to public notice. It may not be amiss to state how he obtained his military appointment, taken, as he was, from the farm to lead armies to victory When it became the duty of the President to make the appointment of Brigadier General, it was felt by every western member of Congress to be a prize for his constituents. Probably some fifty names had been handed in to the President, accordingly. Robert Dale Owen, in whose district Lane resides, entertaining no such local pride, would probably not have furnished any name, but for a suggestion to that effect from one of the Indiana Senators, "who do you intend recommending?" "Why," said Mr. Owen, "I had not thought of offering a name. There are no applications to me from my own district, but if you think it due to it, to offer a name, I shall hand in that of Jo Lane." The Senator approved of the choice, and it was accordingly suggested. The President, as usual, said he would give it his favorable consideration. A few days afterwards, Mr. Owen was transacting some private business at the White House. After it was through--"By the bye, Mr. Owen," observed the President, "I shall have to appoint your friend Lane to the Brigadier Generalship. I hope you have well considered your recommendation, for the office is a very responsible one." "I know nothing," replied Mr. Owen, "of Lane's military talents, but there are about him those elements of character which in all times of difficulty prompts everyone to rally, instinctively, around him as leader. This has been the case in early days, when lawless men infested the river border. Whether on shore or among boatmen on the river, Lane was the man relied on to keep such men in order, and he was always found equal to every emergency. I would select him for the office before any other man I know, if I had the appointment to make." Lane was appointed. The sequel is history, and justified the penetrative judgment of Mr. Owen. Lane has developed qualities which place him in the front rank of military service. When the news of the battle of Buena Vista reached Washington, Mr. Owen called on President Polk. "Well, sir," exclaimed he, "What do you think of our Hoosier general!" "Ah!" said the President, with a quiet smile, "Mr. Owen, you are safe out of that scrape!" Indiana State Sentinel, Indianapolis, May 17, 1848, page 2 GEN. LANE.
The following characteristic story of
old Jo Lane is given in an extract of a letter from an officer of the
4th Indiana Regiment, which we find in the Lawrenceburgh Register."Dr. Johnson, an old companion of General Joseph Lane, is staying with Col. Dumont a few days; he tells the story of Lane's entrance into the quarters assigned him at the city, [omission] so as to make it one of the rich ones. I must attempt to give to you but know it will be far short of the original, and you can embellish it without danger or injury in point. The General was shown into the building and delivered to the owner, who was as usual permitted to occupy a portion of it. After many tortuous windings through splendid halls, the general was shown into a large parlor, richly carpeted, sofas and chairs of mahogany, velvet-cushioned and scarlet at that, windows curtained with scarlet silk and tasseled with golden tassels, walls hung with the finest paintings, and altogether such a splendid array of rich furniture and fixings that one might reasonably have concluded the place to be one of the halls of the Montezumas, whose splendor has been boasted from half the stumps in Indiana. Old Jo looked about him, seated himself, walked about the room, occasionally going about half a square to spit on the stairway. At last he could stand it no longer and, damning everything Mexican, called for the man of the house, who came all bows and smiles, and inquired what he could do for the general, and seemed mighty pleased with the prospect of doing something to please the general. The old fellow looked at him and then told his interpreter to tell him to take all these things out of here; that the house was given up to him and he did not want the damn things (pointing to the chairs, sofas and curtains) about him. The poor Mexican, utterly dumbfounded at the extravagant notions of the general, protested the furniture was new and sound, and all as fine as the city could afford, and that he had no place to move to, hoped the general would try and make out with it, but he would add anything to the room the general would advise for his convenience. Says old Jo, tell him I can't go out of doors every time I want to spit, and these things must be taken away. Mex, with many bows sloped [away] but soon returned with a cargo of spit boxes and, ranging them about the premises, again left. These seemed to quiet the old turk a little and through the persuasions of Johnson and Pugh, who had now recovered from the fit of laughter with which they were convulsed at the general's late embarrassment, he took a nap on one of the sofas. With many oaths at the fixin's he managed to put in the day and night till bed time without any more serious trouble, but bed time came, and with it new troubles. He was shown into the bedroom and here another hearty damn was heard to issue from his throat in such a tone as showed him getting desperate. First here was a brass bedstead as [omission] gold, clothing of the finest silk, curtains all tasseled and fringed as only Mexicans know how to do it; toilet tables and all the little etceteras of the finest quality, a perfume too, that seemed to be composed of all [scents] united. So strong was it that the general said it went right through his head. After looking at it for some time, he called Pugh, takes the pillows and strips them, then the coverlets &c. were carefully put away. When all was disposed of, he sent for his blankets and rolled in. "About midnight, Pugh heard a noise and supposing the general to be sick, went to him. He had just succeeded in getting down the curtains and all the trimmings about his bed and rolled them up, where they laid as [long as] old Jo occupied the building. But his announces were too many, and he got permission to go to the country. About the same time he got command of different expeditions with the enemy's quarters which for some time kept him out of town, but as soon as the 'armistice' came to town he asked and obtained leave of absence, Johnson says to escape from fine chairs, sofas, tables, and silk hangings, the only things in Mexico which old Jo was really afraid to meet." Campaign Palladium, Vevay, Indiana, June 4, 1848, page 4. Lane mentions these quarters in his autobiography. Search "Napoleon." General Joseph Lane arrived in our city on Sunday night and proceeded to his home. Evansville Weekly Journal, Evansville, Indiana, July 20, 1848, page 3 Gen. Shields declined accepting the Governorship of Oregon, and Gen. Joseph Lane, of this state, has been appointed in his stead. So then the "Marion of the army" will not be in the way of his Democratic brethren for the Senate this winter, nor in the track for Governor of Indiana thereafter. Gen. L. will likely settle the Oregon Indians instanter. Wabash Express, Terre Haute, Indiana, August 30, 1848, page 2 GEN. LANE'S ADDRESS.
Gen. LANE
acquired considerable reputation by his conduct in Mexico. His
appointment as Governor of Oregon has been regarded as a good one. He
is soon to leave for that far-off country. It must be a matter of
sincere regret to his real friends that he should, just on the eve of
his departure, lend himself for the purpose of abusing his old
commander. [Whether] it has been done, whether in obedience to the
dictates of his own heart, or at the behests of the administration, as
a consideration for the appointment recently conferred upon him, we
will not determine.The last number of the Evansville Democrat contains an article addressed "to the public," bearing his signature. He seems to think it necessary that he should appear before the public on a subject of "vital importance to Indiana." Now, without examining how "vital" this matter may be to "Indiana," we quote a paragraph of this production: "Interested partisans in this state (and I regret that it is so) appear resolved upon disgracing themselves and the state of their nativity, or adoption, by the publication of glaring falsehoods and statements wholly unfounded in fact, put forth in the attempt to secure a mere partisan triumph. I allude to the slanders which from time to time have been perpetrated by different persons, both in official documents and otherwise, upon the 2nd Indiana Regt. relative to their conduct in the battle of Buena Vista." We should like to know to whose allusion is made by the term "interested partisans." It must certainly apply to those "partisan" editors who insist that Gen. TAYLOR has denounced the Indiana troops as "cowards," when,in truth, he never did it. We know of no other "glaring falsehoods" being published than those to be found in papers whose editors are vainly attempting to prejudice the minds of the people against an honest-hearted old man whose duty required of him a disapproval of the acknowledged conduct of a portion of the Second Regiment. Gen. LANE proceeds: "A great and lasting disgrace has been attempted to be fastened upon the fair fame of our state, and I call upon every citizen, high and low, to vindicate her honor and to wipe off the foul stain cast upon her bright escutcheon." Now, we beg leave to say, notwithstanding the "grand flourish" in the above paragraph about "foul stain," "honor," and "bright escutcheon," there does not exist a single person in or without the state that has "attempted" to fasten disgrace upon its fair fame. Nor do we apprehend that the fact, which seems to be admitted on all hands, that about one-half of the Second Regiment could not be rallied after being ordered to retreat, would greatly affect the character of the state. Gen. Jackson reported, on one occasion, that the "Kentuckians ingloriously fled," and yet no one doubts Kentucky bravery. Gen. Cass says that over two thousand New York volunteers fled before six hundred British and Indians, in the most cowardly manner, without firing a gun, and yet we apprehend the whole state of New York does not feel disgraced. After quoting from Gen. Taylor's report, Gen. Lane continues: "There are two material facts known to everyone upon that field--known to Gen. Taylor when he made his report--which facts General Taylor does not even allude to--to wit: first, that the Regiment immediately rallied, and next, that they fought all day." Now, we will prove by the report of the Court of Inquiry that, in the above extract, Gen. Joseph Lane has deliberately stated that which he knew to be untrue. Recollect he says: "that the Regiment immediately rallied, and next, that they fought all day." The regiment consisted of near four hundred men. It was proven before that Court, that from one hundred and fifty to two hundred only were rallied! The "Regiment" could not have rallied if this finding of the court be true, and Gen. LANE is left in no very enviable position. The finding of the Court is referred to by Gen. LANE as true, and it is strange that he asserts that the "Regiment (the whole Regiment of course) immediately rallied," when that Court reports that only about one hundred and fifty or two hundred rallied. In Gen. Lane's Report, he says, in speaking of this Regiment, "a few of them, I regret to say, did not return to the field at all." Now, whether this be true or not depends upon how many may be regarded as "a few of them." This term is about as indefinite as the term used by Gen. TAYLOR, where he says a "handful only were rallied by Col. Bowles." The Court of Inquiry determined that "from one hundred and fifty to two hundred" constitute "a few of them," according to Gen. Lane, or "a handful" according to Gen. Taylor; so that each of these officers was correct, although indefinite as to number. The whole truth in relation to the matter may be stated in few words. Gen. Taylor, relying upon his own observation and the report of his subordinates, in giving an account of the battle of Buena Vista, stated that the Second Indiana Regiment, in consequence of the immense odds against them, and the murderous crossfire to which they were exposed, retreated in disorder, and only a few of them were afterwards rallied. Since that report was made, it turns out that a Court of Inquiry determined that about half of the Regiment was rallied and fought well afterwards. The proceedings of the Court have never been placed before Gen. Taylor in a form justifying a conclusion to that effect. When that is done by those whose duty it is to make such report, the correction will be made. Gen. Lane says that Gen. Taylor "leaves it to be inferred that no other troops retreated that day, except the 2nd Indiana Regiment." This cannot be true, because in that report he says, "The 2nd Kentucky Regiment was driven back and closely pressed by the enemy's cavalry." And, again, he says the light troops were compelled lo withdraw, which they did for the most part, in good order. "Many, however, were not rallied until they reached the depot at Buena Vista, to the defense of which they afterwards contributed." In Gen. Lane's whole address is exhibited the spirit of a bitter political partisan, determined to prostrate a political opponent, at the sacrifice of truth and justice. Indiana Journal, Indianapolis, September 11, 1848, page 1 Office
Supt. Ind. Affairs
St. Louis Sept. 11, 1848 Sir:
I have the honor to acknowledge the receipt of your letter of the 2nd inst. directing the sum of $6,902.85 to be turned over to Govr. Jos. Lane on account of the Oregon sub-agency, and to inform you that he left here about the 1st instant for Fort Leavenworth, at which place I have just learned from the clerk of the steamer Mandan he was on the 6th last and making his preparations to start on the 9th for Oregon. From another gentleman I learn that there was some uncertainty about his starting so soon, and have accordingly written to him this day by mail and steamboat, informing him that the money, instructions, blanks, commissions &c. are on hand here for him. With
great respect I am sir
Yr most obt. svt. John Haverty Clerk Ind. Affairs
NARA
Series M234, Letters
Received by the Office of Indian Affairs, Reel
607 Oregon
Superintendency 1842-1852, frames 414-415.
By Telegraph for the Louisville
Journal.
St. Louis, Sept.
22, 8 p.m.
Majors Johnson and Bradley, of the paymaster's department, have arrived
from Santa Fe, and report that Gen. Price and all the volunteers are on
their way home, and would arrive in 20 days. They left Santa Fe on the
15th ult. All was quiet. Gen. Lane was met with his escort at Willow
Springs on the morning of the 14th.The Tennesseean, Nashville, September 25, 1848, page 3 The last Metropolitan says that "Gen. Lane, the newly Governor of Oregon, is at present in St. Louis, making arrangements for his departure. He is accompanied by his family." Saturday Morning Visitor, Warsaw, Missouri, September 9, 1848, page 2 GOV. LANE.--The steamer Martha arrived from Weston last night. We learn from her officers that Gov. Lane left Fort Leavenworth with an escort of 25 men, under the command of Lieut. Hawkins, on Sunday, the 10th inst., for Oregon, via Santa Fe and California. The officers also report that Gen. Price was expected to arrive in Santa Fe on the second of last month. Unidentified clipping marked "Sept. '48," pasted onto letter below. Weston is a town in Ohio; the Martha plied the Ohio River. Office
Supt. Ind. Affairs
Sir:St. Louis Sept. 28, 1848 On the 11th inst. the clerk of this office had the honor to inform you of the departure of Govr. Jos. Lane from this city for Fort Leavenworth on or about the first of this month, and of his having written to him by steamboat & mail, advising him of the amount of funds &c. These letters have since been returned by the postmaster at Fort L. to this office, the Governor having left there on the 10th instant on his way to Oregon. The remittance of $6,902.75, advised by your letter of 2nd inst. for the use of Govr. Lane, was recd. here on the 13th. It being no longer available here for the purpose intended, I have respectfully to ask your instructions to redeposit it to the credit of the Treasurer of the United States. The documents recd. from your office for Govr. L. have been returned here up to this time, in the hope that an opportunity would occur of forwarding them to Oregon; none such having presented itself, I have this day returned them as directed by the postscript of your letter above referred to. I
have the honor to be sir
Hon. W.
MedillYr most obt. svt. T. H. Harvey Supt. Ind. Affairs Comr. Ind. Affrs. NARA Series M234, Letters Received by the Office of Indian Affairs, Reel 607 Oregon Superintendency 1842-1852, frames 416-417. From Santa Fe.--Mr. White has arrived at St. Louis from Santa Fe Oct. 18, with $58,000 in gold and silver. Gen. Joseph Lane, the new governor of Oregon, arrived on that day, to march in four days with his mounted dragoons for California. Boston Post, December 5, 1848, page 2 "GEN. TAYLOR, GEN. LANE, AND THE SECOND REGIMENT."--Under this head, the Bulletin of the 10th inst. makes a lame and impotent attempt (the twentieth of the kind) to shift the blame of Gen. Taylor's false and libelous report in relation to the Indiana regiment upon Gen. Lane. A number of words are occupied in this attempt, and, we opine, a vast number more than the editor, assistant editors, and certain editors of that sheet could place upon paper previous to the 7th of November--will be necessary to convince the soldiers of the second regiment that Joseph Lane is their calumniator and enemy, and Zachary Taylor their friend and defender. The day of election fast approaches--the parasites of Indiana's slanderer tremble in their shoes--they fear the overwhelming rebuke which awaits their candidate at the hands of the injured and insulted people of Indiana; hence their attempts to mystify, misrepresent, and falsify the facts relative to a matter about which every Indianian feels the deepest interest. They have not only brought their newspapers and their habitual public speakers into their service to further the cause of Taylor and to defame Gen. Lane, but they have pressed into the ranks of public orators and writers certain individuals who were volunteers, who are stimulated by an unholy ambition and craving for office--a passion which appears to destroy every consideration of patriotism, state pride, and personal honor--into a wanton disregard of courtesy, honesty, and fairness, totally unworthy of a soldier. But even these have been hissed from the stage by the patriotic people whom they have attempted to seduce from their allegiance to their own state and their own sons, brothers, and friends. One individual who comes at the bidding of a corrupt faction to do their dirty work of slandering honest men and respected citizens, slinks back into the obscurity from which he emerged, despised alike by political friends and foes. Another who, after remaining as dumb as an oyster for four months of the canvass, at length ventures to hurl defiance at a man whom he well knew to be hundreds of miles distant, retires from the canvass and leaves his place to be filled by a miserable old hack. The Whig state elector who resides at Madison has not made his appearance on the stump for months, but sends forth in his stead an acknowledged public defaulter, who, next to Taylor, has done Indiana more serious injury than any other man, dead or alive, in blasting her reputation, destroying her credit, and bringing her to the brink of bankruptcy, an humble supplicant at the feet of her creditors--driven, through his recklessness and mismanagement, to a choice between open repudiation and compliance with any terms which they might see proper to dictate. Such is the material of which the corps of Whig orators in Indiana is composed. Such are the defamers of Lane and the eulogists of Taylor. We think we have at different times heretofore satisfactorily shown from public documents and from other sources, that the assumption of the friends of Taylor that Lane is responsible for his (Taylor's) report, is an afterthought hit upon by the federalists of this state, when it became probable that they would be called upon to support Gen. Taylor as their candidate for the Presidency. It is an assumption which is not and cannot be sustained by facts. But it is the last, the only resort of the federal leaders; if this fail them, they are done for, and hence the constant anxiety which they manifest to sustain and fortify their untenable position. We make the following extract from the Bulletin's article, above referred to: "We will remark, that it is conceded by all that the retreat of the 2nd regiment was in obedience to orders. This is a fact fully made out and acknowledged by all parties--none deny it. The Court of Inquiry called to investigate the conduct of Col. Bowles fully established that fact, and we have ever been proud to refer to as it is a matter beyond dispute, and had the finding of this court been forwarded to Gen. Taylor, as was the duty of Gen. Lane to have attended to without defalcation; but this Gen. Lane did not do. Had that report of the finding of the Court of Inquiry been forwarded to Taylor, and he had then refused to have sent it to the War Department as a correction of his report, or should have neglected to have amended his first report so as to correspond with such finding; then would we have been ready and willing to have denounced him for having done intentional injustice to the gallant Indianians." Now, what are the facts of the case? Courts of Inquiry were called for and held on the conduct both of Gen. Lane and Col. Bowles. These courts were authorized by Gen. Taylor and ordered by Gen. Wool. Gen. Lane had nothing to do with them other than as a prisoner on his trial before one, and perhaps as a witness before the other. He had no control over that of Bowles. General Wool was the officer who ordered the court, to whom its proceedings were sent by its officers, and who in "general orders No. 279," and "No. 281," proclaimed its findings, and his approval of them, to the army. But, exclaims the whole Rough and Ready phalanx, why were not the orders containing the findings of the courts forwarded to General Taylor, who says he never received them? He, they say, cannot be blamed for not correcting his report, when he was not furnished with the materials for doing so. Such is not the case. If Gen. Taylor was not furnished with these orders, it is he himself who was guilty of gross neglect of official duty in not demanding them, as is clearly shown by the following paragraph from the Army Regulations: "780. Should it happen that general orders are not received in regular succession, commanding officers will report the facts to the proper headquarters, in order that the deficient numbers may be supplied." Here, then, is another added to the long list of General Taylor's delinquencies. Had he performed his obvious duty, he would have demanded of Gen. Wool these missing orders, and, in obedience to the facts officially developed therein, corrected his report. Looking, therefore, at the case in whatever light we may, Gen. Taylor is still THE MAN who must be held responsible in this matter. Laying aside his first report, and admitting that that was made up from Lane's (which is utterly false), still, in not demanding from Wool the documents necessary to a correct understanding of the whole matter (of the existence of which he was fully aware) he neglected his duty, and is therefore justly responsible for allowing the glaring falsehoods contained in his report to go uncontradicted. Gen. Lane had nothing to do with the proceedings of the courts of inquiry. It was not his duty; he could not, if he desired it, have sent them to Gen. Taylor. He asked these courts for the purpose of clearing the regiment of the stigmas which had been cast upon it. He relied upon Gen. Taylor's sense of justice, when the facts were arrived at by a legal tribunal, which he himself had authorized, to make the necessary corrections. Gen. Lane immediately transmitted to the United States for publication a supplemental report, detailing all the events as they occurred, and as they had been developed in the proceedings before the courts. This supplemental report was, as is well known, intended to correct the wrong impressions which had obtained credence in consequence of the statements contained in Gen. Taylor's report and in letters from the army. The punctilious Taylor may not have regarded the document as "official" because it "first met his eye in the columns of a newspaper," but it was nonetheless a supplemental report of a General in the army for all that, and as such was entitled to that respect to which its high source entitled it. The editor of the Bulletin and the other Whig editors and speakers labor hard to prove that in his letters to Defrees and Dunn, Gen. Taylor does not repeat his charge of cowardice. It is true he does not apply the word "cowards" to the Indianians, but he asserts and reasserts that their retreat was caused by "panic"--that they were "panic-stricken" &c. Now to charge the retreat to any other cause than the true one, viz., the order given by Bowles, is false and libelous. That order, and not a "panic," was the sole and only cause of that retreat. Indeed, Gen. Taylor himself, in his conversation with Gen. Lane at the Walnut Springs, admitted that the fault lay with Bowles. Dr. D. S. Lane, in his statement of that conversation, says: "He (Gen. Taylor) was very sorry that he had not left Bowles at the mouth of the Rio Grande, where he could have done as well as anyone, and brought Col. Drake up. Had he done so, he said he had no doubt that all the discredit which had fallen to the state of Indiana would have been avoided--that with Col. Drake instead of Col. Bowles, the credit of the Indiana troops would have been safe." Nothing is here said about "panics." On the contrary, Gen. Taylor expressly declares that if the regiment had had a competent Colonel all would have been well and the credit of the state secure. Now what produced the change in Gen. Taylor's mind between the date of his conversation with Gen. Lane at the Walnut Springs and that of his letters to Defrees and Dunn? Instead of the findings of the court of inquiry (with which he was familiar) and the subsequent developments operating to convince him that he had wronged the regiment, they appear to have had a directly opposite effect. Viewed in whatever light the question may, Gen. Taylor still appears the cool, deliberate, and determined calumniator of the Indiana troops. All the mercenary presses, the ambitious office-hunting Captains, and the imported speakers from other states will fail to convince the people of Indiana that they have not been deeply, grossly, willfully, and irreparably wronged by Gen. Taylor; every attempt to palliate or excuse that wrong is but adding insult to injury; and every vote cast for the Taylor electoral ticket must be regarded as an endorsement of his report and his letters, and as an admission of their truth. New Albany Democrat, New Albany, Indiana, October 19, 1848, page 2 GEN. LANE A "SLANDERER"!--Gen. Joseph Lane is denounced by the Indiana Journal and the New Albany Bulletin as the "SLANDERER of the Indiana VOLUNTEERS"! Then "to this complexion has it come at last"! Gen. Lane, at whose urgent solicitation the court of inquiry, which fixed upon the guilty party the stigma for which the whole regiment was held responsible by the commander in chief, is charged with making "attacks" upon the regiment! And General Taylor, who made every effort to prevent that court from being held, advising General Lane to "let the matter drop," and thus forever fixing the stain of cowardice upon the regiment, is applauded as a just man--held up as the friend of Indianans and volunteers, and as worthy of their suffrages for the highest office within their gift! New Albany Democrat, New Albany, Indiana, October 26, 1848, page 2 Capt. Osborn (better known to volunteers of the second regiment as "Capt. Kyd") made a speech at the court house in this city Monday evening. It was not our good fortune to hear this "hero" (as he was styled "in the bills"), but gentlemen who were present inform us that the "speech" was a miserable, wishy washy affair, exhibiting neither fact, argument, nor eloquence. It was made up of the twaddle which is to be found in the mouth of everyone who attempts a defense of Taylor in refusing to correct his report relating to our volunteers. Capt. Osborn avers, as do all other Whig speakers, that Gen. Taylor could not correct his report because he was not (as he says) officially informed of the decisions and findings of the court of inquiry on Col. Bowles. We showed in our last that, according to the Army regulations, it was General Taylor's solemn duty to demand from the proper headquarters the missing orders containing the reports, decisions, and findings of the court. If he had performed this duty, he would have been officially placed in possession of all the facts necessary to a correction of his report. This he did not do, and here he is justly liable to the charge of official delinquency. These Whig speakers adduce Taylor's letter to Dunn to show that the supplemental report of Gen. Lane was not submitted to him before it was sent to the United States for publication. They argue from this that Lane must be held responsible for all the wrong which has been perpetrated against Indiana by Gen. Taylor! that that very conscientious officer is perfectly justifiable in writing private letters stating that although he was well aware of the decision of the court of inquiry, and although he had read Gen. Lane's supplemental report "in the columns of a newspaper," still "nothing had been developed since the date of his report to cause him to change it!" Now let us look a little further, and see how consistent Gen. Taylor is in this strenuous adherence to officiality in everything relating to Gen. Lane. On the subject of correcting his report, in one of his letters he says: "It is not to be expected that I should address a corrective report to the War Department, affecting any portion of the original report. Such a report must he upon official data, PROPERLY RENDERED, else it can be of no avail." Again he says: "It is possible that a report made by Colonel Bowles, even at this late day, might tend much to exonerate his regiment and himself from unjust imputations; and I am ready to receive and forward to the War Department, AS OFFICIAL, any report of that character which he may address to ME." Compare these two statements. Gen. Taylor refuses to acknowledge the supplemental report of Gen. Lane (an officer in the army) as "official," because perchance it may not have passed through all the prescribed forms of military etiquette; while at the same time he will receive, and forward to the War Department, AS OFFICIAL, any statement which Bowles, no longer an officer, responsible to no earthly tribunal for any statement which he might make--might see proper to forward to him. The case stands thus: Gen. Taylor regards the mere word of Col. Bowles as more worthy of credit and of being placed in the archives of the nation, than the statement of Gen. Lane (founded upon the decision of the court of inquiry) submitted under his oath of office! Those who defend and uphold Gen. Taylor of course think with him. Those who vote for Gen. Taylor will vote for condemning Lane and applauding Bowles. New Albany Democrat, New Albany, Indiana, October 26, 1848, page 2 It is a pleasure to meet a Hoosier Democrat. We saw them of the right stripe yesterday, Lt. Col. McCarty and Captains Lander and Fitzgibbon. The former was second in command of one 3rd Indiana at the battle of Buena Vista--the two latter were in Col. Gorman's fine regiment and consequently belonged to "Joe Lane's fighting brigade." (We have a notion of running Old Joe for President next time, by the way--he would go it like a steamboat.)--Cin. Esq. ----
Suppose we do
run Gen. Lane? There is no man in the Northwest, nor indeed of any
other quarter, who would be a more popular candidate for the
Presidency than Joseph Lane. We know of none more brave, more
patriotic, more generous, or more firm in his adherence to the right
in all things. Gen. Jackson himself did not excel Joseph Lane in these
qualities. His career as a military man, which justly won for
him, from generous Southern officers, the title of "the Marion of the Army,"
is unparalleled by that of any other officer. Enlisting as a private,
with his musket on his shoulder and knapsack
on his back, he was pushed along, without any effort on his own
part, until he was commissioned a General by the President. This last
was done without the solicitation or knowledge of Gen. Lane, and the
President has said to those who advised the promotion, that
they were "not mistaken in the man; that he had proved
himself more than worthy of his
commission." So say all who have carefully watched
his career. He is as modest as he is brave. He did
not have toadies about his person, in the shape of letter-writers,
paid for puffing his exploits, as some other generals had.
He was
content to let his actions speak for him, and they have
spoken.For more than ten years have we known Jo. Lane intimately; for two we lived close neighbors to him. At home, where he is best known, Whigs as well as Democrats admit his merits as a man. His neighbors always praised and never spoke ill of him--not even as a politician. He never sought office of any kind, yet was always elected when he would consent to be a candidate. Whigs who knew him would vote for him, regardless of party feeling. They knew he was a generous and an honest man; they repeatedly ventured to trust him; and they never were deceived nor disappointed by him. He was not only known and loved by his neighbors at home. Of the thousands of river men, from Louisville to New Orleans, who have "wooded" at Jo. Lane's, there is not one who can or will speak ill of him. He started in life as a poor boy without a dime in his pocket; and by his energy and industry became one of the most thriving farmers on the banks of the Ohio. He had no advantages of early education, being among the pioneers; but his course as one of the most efficient members of our General Assembly at repeated sessions, proves that he did not neglect to cultivate his strong native mental powers. He made a good soldier, because he is naturally the most brave, fearless and intrepid man among ten thousand; and yet, at the same time, good natured, and "generous to a fault." We know, that as President of the United States, Gen. Lane would be found equal to any emergency that might occur. And, though a Western man, he is one of that whole-souled, whole-hearted kind, that can regard the confederacy without the least sectional prejudice; one who would be as determined to protect the rights of every other section as he would those which justly belong to the Great West. The West will soon have to assume a position as the natural umpire between the East and the South, in regard to more than one important matter--to every matter, indeed, of national concern. The West must learn to lead upon the ground of principle, instead of being longer used as a make-weight, to be thrown into one scale or the other of eastern or southern interest or prejudice. In the furtherance of such a movement, candidates may be of comparatively little consequence at present. But whenever they shall be wanted, we know of no better one for the Presidency than GEN. JO. LANE, "the Marion of the Army." Let the People think of it. Indiana State Sentinel, Indianapolis,
November 18, 1848, page 3
The First Victim Demanded.
The Louisville Journal is
out in favor of the prompt removal, by General Taylor, of General
Joseph Lane, Governor of Oregon. The assigned cause is to be found in
the fact that General Lane defended the volunteers of his state from
unjust attacks.
From the General in command to the lowest subordinate, the army boasted not a braver officer, or more devoted patriot, than General Joseph Lane. Wherever fighting was to be done, there General Lane was to be found, and so much was his daring and chivalrous conduct admired, that the army, officers and men bestowed upon him the sobriquet of the "Marion of the Army," the highest praise that could be bestowed. When appointed Governor of Oregon, he promptly left friends, home and all to rally to the rescue of the citizens of Oregon, in danger of slaughter by their savage enemies, and at the time this call for his removal was made General Lane was struggling with the snows of the Rocky Mountains, and is now, if not cut off by the savages, encountering the chill blasts of the prairies in a northern latitude, still struggling on, animated with the hope of reaching Oregon in time to defend it, with his single troop of mounted Riflemen, against the savage hordes whose numbers have cut off the best citizens of that land. Such is the man that Prentice, of the Louisville Journal, demands shall be removed from office--such is the victim who is the first marked for the guillotine by the leaders of a party that professed to proscribe proscription. Let them do the deed--let the gallant soldier be recalled and our Indiana friends will make him Governor of a state, instead of a Territory, and that, too, by a majority that will make Whiggery tremble.--Ohio Statesman. Indiana State Sentinel, Indianapolis, November 18, 1848, page 6 "INTERESTING TO GEN. LANE.---It is a gratifying fact that General Lane's own town in Indiana, which hitherto has always been a decided Locofoco town, did not on Tuesday give a majority of even one solitary vote against Gen. Taylor. The vote of the town was an exact tie. This shows how the infamous slanders against Gen. Taylor are regarded at the residence of this chief slanderer. "Gen. Lane has now gone to Oregon as Governor of that 'Territory. The office was the reward of his vile slanders against his commanding general. We trust that, if Gen. Taylor is elected to the Presidency, Gen. Lane will be promptly dismissed from his governorship. We do not desire to see any political proscription, but we would have Gen. Lane dismissed for the reason that he has shown himself an unprincipled calumniator." The above we extract from the Louisville Journal of the 10th inst. to join in expressing a desire to see Gen. Lane dismissed from the public service, as a man who would take advantage of his own wrong, forgetful of truth and country, to promote party. The appointment of such a man, by Polk, as a Brigadier General, was an outrage upon the army--it was trifling with the lives of men, and disgusting to many experienced Captains, Majors and Colonels in the volunteer service, who were qualified and deserved, and would have adorned promotion. It is not party rancor and bullheaded bravery that qualify a man to be a commander. It is knowledge (the result of study or experience) to secure a military police [sic] and to be prepared at all points to take advantage of circumstances that shall facilitate the execution of his orders and save the lives entrusted to his care. The official report of Lane touching the Second Regiment at the battle of Buena Vista, which he made up without calling upon any of the field officers to report to him, proves his want of a police--and his failing to make a supplemental report to correct his first censure, after the court of inquiry had brought to his knowledge officially that the Regiment was only obeying orders when it retreated, together with his late vile attempt to defame the gallant, skillful, and high-souled Gen. Taylor, for not doing what he (Taylor) could not do without official data, proves Lane's great want of the qualities which entitle a man to public confidence. The Governor of Oregon, we think, should be a man very essentially different from Gen. Joseph Lane. We are now of opinion that slander cast at Gen. Taylor unjustly, in relation to the Indiana volunteers, guiled votes enough to Cass of men who could not investigate the matter, to give him this state, which otherwise Gen. Taylor would have received. Vincennes Gazette, Vincennes, Indiana, November 23, 1848, page 2 The Louisville Democrat learns from Capt. Logan, of the steamer South America, which arrived yesterday, that the remains of the unfortunate Mr. Lane, son of Gen. Joseph Lane (who died of cholera in New Orleans), were brought upon his boat and left with the relatives of the deceased at his father's plantation, near Three Mile Island, and twelve miles above Evansville. Capt. Logan represents the scene as truly sorrowful. When the bell of the boat was tapped previous to landing, the relatives and friends of the deceased, who had been informed by other boats of his sudden death, came down to the water's edge and received the remains. The cries and lamentations of the relatives were indeed heart-rending. New Albany Democrat, New Albany, Indiana, January 3, 1849, page 2 Mr. Joseph Lane, son of Gen. Joseph Lane, died of cholera in New Orleans on the 21st ult. Logansport Telegraph, Logansport, Indiana, January 6, 1849, page 2 The body of Mr. Joseph Lane, son of the gallant Gen. Lane, was brought to this city yesterday on the steamer John Hancock. This young man died of cholera--suddenly stricken down with death by the disease, while walking along the levee at New Orleans on the 21st ult. He is said to have survived the attack but a few minutes. We believe his body is to be taken from this place to his father's home in Indiana.--Cincinnati Commercial. Indiana State Sentinel, Indianapolis, January 6, 1849, page 3 News.--News.--News. A Territorial Government for Oregon--A Supreme Judge Arrived-- A Governor, Other Officers and an Escort on the Way.--Uncle Sam a Gentleman
From passengers
arrived from the Undine,
we
learn that a Territorial government has been organized for Oregon; that
a Mr. Pratt, of Illinois, has been appointed Supreme Judge for the
Territory, who came on board the Undine,
and will be in the city in a few days; that Gen. Lane of Indiana has
been appointed Governor, and messenger Meek Marshal, who with other
officers and an escort are on their way here by land, and may now be
wintering at Fort Hall. We have been unable to learn the names of the
other officers, also whether or not any land law has passed for Oregon.
Trusting that Uncle Sam has done or will do justly by the citizens of
Oregon, we doff our hat and call him a gentleman of the first water.
With the passage of a just land law, nothing prevents Oregon from
speedily becoming the strong right arm of America upon the Pacific. In
the name of the good people of Oregon, their Spectator joyfully
greets the
arrival of Judge Pratt into Oregon.
Gen. Lane is a young man, self-made, and has won many and imperishable honors in the Mexican War. No Territorial government has been organized for California. Oregon Spectator, Oregon City, January 25, 1849, page 2 It appears that "Judge Pratt" is not the Supreme Judge of Oregon Territory, as supposed by his fellow passengers, and so announced in our last. Oregon Spectator, Oregon City, February 8, 1849, page 2 Home Voyage of the Argonauts.
Probably Samuel A. Clarke,
"Pioneer Days," Oregonian, Portland,
July 26, 1885, page 3
Ancient poetry tells of the voyage of the men of Argos of the Golden
Fleece, and the time may come when poetry and history will deal with
the voyages and sauntering of more modern seekers of the golden fleece,
very few of whom came home shorn.
I have in mind a memorable voyage that occurred in 1849 when a hundred Oregonians, who were stranded in San Francisco, chartered the bark Jeannette, an East India-built ship, made of teakwood, to take them home. Shipping was plentiful at that time in San Francisco Bay because the fleets of all nations were beginning to arrive, many of them to lie there and broil in summer suns vainly waiting for some turn of fortune to send them home. The commerce of the world set only way way then, and that was toward California. Most of those Oregonians were returning after fortunate efforts in the mines. Oregon was early at work in the diggings, and the luck of an Oregonian was a proverb. The immigrant who dared so much and braved uncounted hardships and danger found his recompense in part in the reward he got for his labor in the gold fields to the southward. OREGONIANS IN SAN
FRANCISCO IN '49.
There was a meeting of those who wanted to voyage homeward, and they
appointed a committee to charter a room ship to take them to Portland.
The committee stood on the shore and selected a vessel with high
bulwarks, but as preparations were making for departure, they learned
that the shippers had substituted a much smaller vessel. They held
indignation meetings, and remonstrated loudly, and secured the vessel
originally chartered. This was roomy between decks, and was fitted up
with bunks amidship. The cabin proper could only hold a dozen, and was
devoted to the comfort of General Lane and a few leading men and the
elders of the company. The ship had no cargo and very little ballast,
and was a rather slow sailer. The smaller vessel they discarded sailed
after they did and reached the Columbia first, but our Argonauts were
carrying their gold dust home, and cared more for comfort than for
speed.Colonel W. W. Chapman for the first time met General Lane in San Francisco at that time. He had been resolving to remain in California permanently, but General Lane persuaded him to return to Oregon and take a hand in public life, as he was going there to establish a territorial government. Oregonians were numerous in San Francisco that winter, and could "paint the town red" if any occasion warranted such artistic effort. It looked like it when the ship owners tried to force them on board the little Mercedes, but they made a demonstration that was effective and had their own choice of ships. "A GALLANT, GALLANT
CREW!"
There were many prominent men on board
the Jeannette, men
who were to make their mark in the history of their times. There was
General Jo Lane, just returned from being a hero in the Mexican War. He
was afterwards to be Governor of Oregon, our Delegate to Congress, a
Senator during the troublous times that preceded the Great Rebellion
and who was to be candidate for Vice President on the [Democratic]
nomination of 1860, when Breckinridge ran for President. There was Jim
Nesmith, a young fellow, full of mischief and alive to all possible
humor and frolic. Nesmith, then a young man with moderate aspirations,
a scarcely educated frontiersman, yet would live to be a Senator in
Congress and do noble duty for his country in time of need. There was
Colonel W. W. Chapman, who came fresh from prominent dealings with
public affairs in the new state of Iowa; Jo Meek, the mountain man, who
was to take his first tussle with the sea; the Monteiths, who settled
at Albany and have been always prominent; Colonel Ford of Polk County;
S. S. White, Sol. Tetherow, and scores of men Colonel Chapman cannot
now recollect, whom to name would be to recall many who have proved to
be eminent in the work of building up our state."ABROAD ON THE WIDE
PACIFIC."
Over 100 passengers paid $100 each, so
the good bark Jeannette
made
a good cash business of carrying them. She purchased a load of lumber
for her return, so it is likely the trip was profitable all around. Our
Oregonians were not even freshwater sailors, most of them, and the
freaks of old Ocean annoyed them immensely. They had to beat up against
a north wind, and it was, in sea parlance, a long leg and a short one.
The long leg was hundreds of miles out to sea, the long tack. And they
found themselves 800 miles on the fair Pacific when they put about to
make the Columbia River. Among the hundred passengers were some who
were piously inclined. They had rested on the Sabbath when going inland
to the diggings, but somehow they couldn't see how to keep the Jeannette
in a proper frame of mind on Sundays. They had to consent to Sunday
travel, as there was no way to tie up on that day. But they protested
against those who relieved the ennui
of
the long days by playing cards. Many who kept Sunday disorderly before
they went to the mines in some manner "lost their grip" on the Sabbath,
as some other things, while working in the gold mines.Those who kept their faith warm and bright protested against Sunday card-playing, and a committee of them made a tour of the ship to urge the carders to respect the day. It is related that Nesmith added greatly to the power of their solicitations by accompanying and singing with great effect a song that was very popular with all good people, entitled: We can imagine what sort of voyage they had when we learn that Nesmith was on board, and was not seasick. He was in his prime then, and though his experience was not so varied as it afterwards became, there had been enough variety in his life to make him a boon companion not to be despised. "A LONG TACK FROM
WINDWARD."
The horrors of seagoing culminated when
the Jeannette put
about and from 800 miles to windward started forth before the wind for
the Columbia River. The Jeannette
had
no ballast to hold her down, and went rolling and plunging towards
Columbia Bar, heedless of all complaint and reckless of all
consequence. It had been bad enough before, so bad that Sol. Tetherow,
hearing one day that the ship was not far from the mouth of the Umpqua,
had feebly held up his sack of gold dust, valued at $5000, and offered
it to the captain if he could be put ashore. He forgot that the Umpqua
Indians were more hostile than the billows of the rocking ocean. He
stayed on board and outlived the rolling of the ship and the fun and
devilment that Nesmith furnished so freely.Just imagine a hundred Oregon land-grabbers rolling for 800 miles before the wind! The situation was only ludicrous, but most of them thought it dangerous. Bob Kinney was unable to sit up or sit down, so he laid his bulky form across the cabin table. When the vessel went over one way his heels were in the air; on the recover his head was up, and it took all "the grip" he had to keep where he was. He yelled, periodically, that he was "gone this time, sure." Some of them actually believed the ship would roll over and under. Judge S. S. White was so apprehensive and so sick withal that he could do nothing but say: "Now we are going under, sure!" Go they did, but it was before the wind with a spanking breeze. The cabin was full of groans and lamentations, and between whiles would be heard the voices of "Nes" and his brigade of funny fellows, who were neither seasick nor afraid, singing, "A Life on the Ocean Wave," or prescribing remedies for seasickness that were worse than the disease. But the wind drove them at last to the Columbia River, and they safely crossed the bar. Once inside they chartered a launch to take them up to Portland. On the voyage they couldn't eat, but now they had voracious appetites. Colonel Chapman tells amusing incidents connected with that journey up the Columbia. At Welch's there were four or five kettles over the fire, filled with food of various sorts, and hungry Argonauts wondered if the fish, meats and vegetables were equal to their needs. The result proved that there was no surplus. They brought back from California a fair store of gold and good appetites. United States of America ) Territory of Oregon ) Clackamas County ) March
the 24th 1849
Whereas
Joseph Lane, Governor
of the Territory of Oregon, arrived in Oregon City in the said
Territory of Oregon on the second day of March A.D. 1849, and on the
third day of March 1849 was duly sworn to support the Constitution of
the United States and faithfully to discharge the duties of Governor of
Oregon Territory during his continuance in office as Governor of the
Territory of Oregon;Said oath was administered by S. M. Holderness, the Secretary of the Territory of Oregon, under the provisions [of the] government of Oregon under the belief that the 18th section of an act to establish the Territorial Government of Oregon authorized said Secretary to administer said oath, but as doubts may arise from the express language of the eleventh section of said act, and for greater caution; The Governor takes and subscribes the following oath of office: "I do solemnly swear that I will support the Constitution of the United States and faithfully to discharge the duties of the office of Governor of the Territory of Oregon during my continuance in office, so help me God." Joseph
Lane
Clackamas County Territory of Oregon, United States I, Gabriel Walling, justice of the peace of Clackamas County, Oregon Territory, certify that the above-named Joseph Lane personally appeared before me this day, and although he deems himself qualified to perform the duties and exercise the powers and office of Governor of the Territory of Oregon without any other oath than that which he has taken before the Secretary of the Territory of Oregon under the provisional government of Oregon, yet as doubts may arise and for greater caution took and subscribed the foregoing oath before me. Gabriel
Walling J.P.
Oregon
City 24th day of March
1849The Journal and Gen. Lane.
The Journal
of Aug. 23 contains a very scandalous article under the caption of
"Gen. Joseph Lane." We copy, and comment upon it, as we proceed."This gentleman served several years in the Legislature of this state. Possessing very moderate natural abilities, and very little general intelligence, he did not acquire much reputation as a legislator; and, had it not been for the Mexican War, would never have been heard of beyond the limits of Vanderburgh County, the place of his residence." Isn't that a smart paragraph to begin with! Where would the "first" Washington have been, had it not been for the War of the Revolution? Who would ever have heard of the "second Washington" himself, had it not been far this same Mexican War! Almost every child in this country has learned that great events bring into activity the powers of great men, who might otherwise live and die unheard of. If Gen. Lane did not "acquire much reputation as a legislator," it was not so much because he did not deserve it, as because he did not seek it. But he was undoubtedly one of the must efficient legislators that ever sat in our general assembly. He never was noisy or clamorous, but he seldom failed to carry a measure to which he was friendly. This was the reason why he was never defeated in the Whig county of Vanderburgh. "That Gen. Lane is a brave man we are not disposed to question--that he may have fought well we shall not dispute." Of course the Journal has some doubts on this point; but that is not of much consequence, for nobody else has. "He returned from Buena Vista the warm admirer and eulogist of Gen. Taylor; declared that he would make a most excellent President, and that should he run as an independent candidate he should support him. Not one word was said by him then about injustice having been done the second regiment by Gen. Taylor, in his report, because he knew that the report contained nothing more than the truth justified in regard to it. He knew that he had himself (when attempting to check their flight) cursed them in the bitterest terms--that he addressed them in such language as follows: "You damned cowards! You have disgraced yourselves and the state of Indiana and ought never to show your faces in that state again!" That Lane felt friendly towards Taylor originally--before he found out his true character, and while he was professing to be a Jeffersonian Democrat--is probably true; but the Journal cannot substantiate the assertion that Lane ever declared Taylor fit for the Presidency. Lane "then" said nothing about Taylor's unfairness towards our volunteers, because he did not then think him willfully unjust. Taylor had positively and solemnly promised him that he would correct his unfair report, but he falsified this promise, willfully and deliberately; and never could crawl out of it, until the letter of George Dunn taught him the way. Lane may have denounced his men for yielding ground, unaware, as he was, of the order of Bowles for retreat: no one would blame him if he did. But that is a very different thing from stigmatizing them, as Taylor did after the Courts of Inquiry, and other evidence, had elicited the extenuating facts, which should exonerate them from the foul charge of cowardice. This charge, by the way, the Journal in the above paragraph repeats, on its own responsibility. It asserts that Lane "knew" that Taylor's "report contained nothing more than the truth," and talks about Lane's "attempting to chock their flight." This is a wholesale charge, and though it is attributed to Lane by the Journal, the Journal alone is responsible for the infamous imputation. After all the evidence within the Journal's knowledge, in the face and eyes of the notorious fact that every regiment on that field, except the 3rd Indiana, did give ground; after all that has been said, officially and unofficially; such a charge as the Journal thus makes, for the rake of pandering to Taylor, is as outrageous as it is disgraceful. It is an unpardonable as any act of our volunteers could possibly have been. It is not only libelous as to the volunteers, but it is an absolute courting of the scorn of the world against them, and that without the slightest qualification or exception. If any man could commit a greater outrage upon the reputation of this state, we are at a loss to know how he would go to work. The only sentence fit to be passed upon him, before hanging, would be that which the Journal affirms was passed by Lane upon the fugitives. "Long after Gen. Taylor's report was published, Gen. Lane professed the highest regard for that gallant old soldier. Gen. Taylor invited him in his tent and treated him with that kindness which has always been a prominent trait in his character. "Gen. Taylor became the Whig candidate for the Presidency. Gen. Lane received the appointment as Governor of Oregon. It was necessary that he should pay for that appointment, and he did it by slandering his old commander in the vilest terms. It is no wonder that Gen.Taylor regarded him as being unworthy [of] the place he occupied, and hence his removal." The Journal seems to think that because Lane honored Taylor by visiting him in his tent, that therefore he should become his slave, like itself, and quietly pocket falsehood, meanness and injury. But no man of spirit will condemn Lane for respecting himself too much to submit to such degradation. The representation that Lane "assailed Taylor, to pay for his appointment as Governor of Oregon, and that he did it by slandering his old commander in the vilest terms," is a lie of so abominable a character that it is impossible to find an epithet in language severe enough to fix the degree of its flagitiousness. It is an outrage quite as odious as the Journal's renewal of the charge against the volunteers. It is made for the same purpose, and in the same diabolical spirit: for the purpose and with the deliberate intention of heaping disgrace and defamation upon the volunteers, by discrediting their defender.When it is remembered that the Journal never had the manliness, nor the decency, nor the honesty, to publish to its readers Lane's defense of the volunteers, which it thus libels, and has continued from time to time to libel, and endeavor to discredit, its object cannot be mistaken: it is determined to do everything in its power TO DAMN THE REPUTATION OF THE STATE, so far as it is involved in that of her volunteers, TO LASTING INFAMY. It is impossible for us to conceive of any worse degree of moral treason than the Journal thus exhibits. If we really believed, as the Journal seems to believe, in regard to our volunteers we would not pursue the course which it has followed, we would sooner relinquish our citizenship in Indiana, and shake the dust of its soil from our feet forever. ----
The Democratic press set up a most dire
howl over this event, in the hope of prejudicing the people against
Gen.
Taylor and of creating sympathy for Gen. Lane. The game is an old one
and will not succeed. Gen. Lane will return to his old business, on the
banks of the Ohio, one better suited to his capacity, and in a short
time those who now are most loud in his praise will forget that
such a man ever existed.--Journal.Indeed! This comes with great force from the very talented, profound, and sagacious editor of the State Journal! Wonderful man! The country of course will give up its high estimate of the character and capacity of General Lane, the Marion of the war, and the hero of more brilliant service than any man who was in it, all for the sake of being able to agree with John D. Defrees, the efficient editor of that almighty crack model newspaper the Indiana State Journal! Very likely. Indiana State Sentinel, Indianapolis, September 5, 1849, page 4 GOVERNOR OF OREGON.--The Washington correspondent of the Baltimore Clipper, of the 10th inst., says that the Hon. Mr. Lincoln, ex-member of Congress, of Illinois, has been appointed Governor of Oregon in the place of Mr. Marshall, of Indiana, who, before he left the city, last week, declined the tendered honor; and Col. Hamilton, of Ohio, was appointed Secretary of State. [Ind. State Jour.
And we venture the
prediction now that Mr. Lincoln will not accept the office of Governor
of Oregon tendered him by the Regency; nor do we believe a prominent
Western man can be found among the Whigs who will accept the
office now so ably filled by Gen. Joseph Lane. Mark the prediction:
Lincoln will not accept it. If he has not already declined, he
will decline.Daily Courier, Madison, Indiana, September 29, 1849, page 2 The Salem (Ia.) Democrat raises the flag of Gen. Joseph Lane as its candidate for the next Presidency. This is one of the richest jokes of the season, and the Democrat is, without exception, the funniest paper in existence. Richmond Palladium, Richmond, Indiana, December 5, 1849, page 2 For President in 1852, Gen.
Joseph Lane of Indiana.
We fling from our masthead today our
banner to the breeze, inscribed with the name of General Joseph Lane of
Indiana for President of the United States in 1852. Under this flag we
intend to fight; and that too as a matter of choice. In taking this
position we do not bow to the bright luster of his military
achievements, however splendid they may be; for, in our opinion,
military glory is but a poor qualification for the highest office in
the gift of a free people. We recognize in Gen. Lane the inflexible
patriot, and a statesman of no mean capacity. When our country called
upon her sons to repel the aggression of Mexico, we behold him leave
the endearments of home, and the peaceful pursuits of the affairs of
life, and among the first and foremost, rally under the flag of
Liberty; we see him rising in rank, and taking his place as one of the
leaders of his country's armies; and in the hot and bloody conflict of
Buena Vista, and other well-contested fields, displaying not only the
most daring personal bravery, but the most cool and fearless courage;
and when returned, and participating in the joys of home, we behold him
ready and willing to sacrifice ease and comfort for the welfare of his
country, and at almost a moment's warning take his journey over the
plains of the untrodden wilds of the West to enter upon the discharge
of his duties as Governor of Oregon. We behold him by his indomitable
energy surmount the dangers of a wintry trip, over the storm-swept
heights of the Rocky Mountains, and entering upon those duties to which
he was called by Polk, and the almost unanimous voice of the Senate of
the United States; and by his wise and prudent measures, restoring
confidence and tranquility to the panic-stricken inhabitants, and
inspiring the warlike tribes of Indians with respect and fear. All this
influences our choice; but further, we love General Lane because his
home is in our midst, and because when disgrace was attempted to be
placed on our brave volunteers, he met the infamous charge, and caused
it to recoil, with all his weight upon the heads of the base
calumniators. He is our choice, because the proscribed victim of
personal revenge and hatred, we think him worthy to the highest office
in the gift of his fellow citizens, and we wish to see that hatred and
revenge rolled back by the silent but resistless power of the ballot
box from Maine to California.We have now spoken out fearlessly; we have no concealments on this subject. And now we say DEMOCRATS TO THE RESCUE; INDIANANS, cluster around your brave defender; VOLUNTEERS, rally once more at the voice of your brave OLD GENERAL; and victory will perch again upon your standard.--Salem, Ia. Democrat, Nov. 17. Indiana State Sentinel, Indianapolis, December 13, 1849, page 7 Gov. Lane's Departure.
It will be seen from the proceedings of the Steamboat Company that Gov.
Lane has consented to visit the States as agent of the company. No one
acquainted with the condition of things in Oregon can justly take any
exception to the course pursued by his excellence in this matter. The
commerce of the Territory by the mere force of circumstances has
crowded itself to its present flourishing condition. But it has reached
its ultimate extreme. Nothing but steam
power can
force it any farther. This power it is now proposed to apply, and there
is perhaps no man in the Territory better qualified than is Gov. Lane
for giving direction and energy to this enterprise. We regard its
completion as involving the permanent prosperity of the Territory.
As for any exception that may be made to the propriety of the Governor's leaving his official post, we are persuaded that all who sincerely regard the prosperity of Oregon will agree that in the present peculiar conjuncture in our affairs he can serve us more extensively in this private enterprise than he could in his public station. The civil government of this Territory is virtually dissolved, and hence the Governor being literally alone could effect but little as Governor of the Territory. Under these circumstances it must surely be proper for him to serve the country and promote its welfare as best he can. "Gold in Oregon!" Oregon Spectator, Oregon City, January 24, 1850, page 2 GOV. LANE.--His Excellency Gov. Lane has gone up the valley, expecting to be absent a week or two. We are not officially informed on the subject, but our impression is that he has gone in pursuit of the soldiers who deserted from this city. Hope he will be successful. Oregon Spectator, Oregon City, March 7, 1850, page 2 Gov. Lane--The Cayuse Murderers.
Gov. Lane, immediately on his return from the Umpqua, left for the
Dalles, on business connected with the Cayuse affairs. The murderers of
Dr. Whitman have at length been arrested, excepting one or two who are
dead. The nation are willing to surrender them and make peace. The
Governor is anxious and will spare no effort to bring this matter so
long in agitation to a final issue.
Oregon Spectator, Oregon City, April 18, 1850, page 2 The Deserters.
Gov. Lane has returned from the Umpqua, having arrested and brought
back some 70 or 75 of the deserters. Col. Loring continued the pursuit
after the remainder, some 50 men. There is a rumor in town that after
progressing as far as the Kanyon, he was obliged to return to the
Umpqua, having found two of the bodies of the deserters. Strong fears
are entertained that the whole band will have perished by starvation
ere they can be reached with provisions.
Oregon Spectator, Oregon City, April 18, 1850, page 2
Correspondence of the Tribune.
From Oregon--Defense of Gov. Lane, &c. OREGON
CITY, Sunday, April 21, 1850.
HORACE GREELEY,
Esq.--Sir: Although a
stranger to you personally, I have taken the liberty of addressing you
on a subject in which I feel a deep interest. Your Oregon
correspondent, who signs himself "Lansdale," has been guilty of the
grossest slanders on some of our most worthy citizens. Gov. Lane, Jesse
Applegate, Esq. Judge Nesmith, and Mr. Pritchett seem to have received
the largest allowance of his venom. In the Weekly Tribune
of Jan. 19, 1850, he says that "Gov. Lane has rendered himself
unpopular by throwing himself," &c. Now with regard to Governor
Lane's popularity I will only state that it is impossible for a man to
be more popular than he is, and were the choice of Governor to be
submitted to the people today he would receive an almost unanimous
vote. The manner in which he has transacted the business of the
Territory, his conduct with regard to the Cayuse and other Indians, the
measures which he took for arresting the deserters from Col. Loring's
regiment, have all been at once prompt, judicious and effective.
"Lansdale" also speaks of the intimate relations between Gov. Lane and
a "fugitive from justice in Arkansas."
Judge Nesmith is, I suppose, the "fugitive" alluded to [it's W. G. T'Vault],
as I am
told that Thornton has heretofore accused him through the columns of
the Tribune
of desertion from the U.S. Army. Mr. Nesmith has now in his possession
an honorable discharge, and after being discharged he was employed as a
mechanic at the very same barracks where he had before served as a
soldier, and bears a far better character than his assailant.Indiana State Sentinel, Indianapolis, August 22, 1850, page 4 Bancroft assumes "Lansdale" to have been J. Quinn Thornton. I've been unable to find any newspaper that reprinted the Lansdale letters--not even the daily edition of the New York Tribune. From Oregon.
It will be remembered that the Rev. Mr.
Whitman,
together with his lady and family, were massacred by the Indians at the
Mission above the Cascade, in the Cayuse country, Oregon, sometime in
the year 1847. There were some eight or ten other families temporarily
stopping in the place at the time, the male members of whom were also
murdered. The women and children were taken prisoners by the Indians,
and the young women compelled to become the wives of some of the
chiefs. Soon afterwards, Maj. Ogden, commander at Vancouver Island,
assisted by Gen. Gilman, started with a file of soldiers into the
Indian country, to rescue the unfortunate prisoners and punish the
Indians for the outrage. They found the Indians, gave them battle, in
which many of those engaged in the murder at the Mission were killed,
and finally succeeded in recovering the women and children, some fifty
in number, by hiring the savages to deliver them up. Thus the matter
ended for the time. But we learn by a Mr. Field, now in this place, who
left Oregon City fifteen days ago, that Gen. Lane has taken decided
steps to have a more satisfactory settlement. In March last he formally
demanded of the Indians the remainder of the murderers, and nine of
them, including two Catholic priests, have been delivered into the
possession of the government of Oregon. By proclamation of the
Governor, the Legislature of the Territory was convened on the 13th of
May inst., at Oregon City, to give the prisoners a trial, and our
informant thinks that ere this they have been convicted and put to
death.
The chiefs of the Klickitats and Calapooias have tendered the services of their tribes to Gov. Lane. When our informant left, they were encamped at Linn City, opposite Oregon City, awaiting the sentence of the murderers on trial before the Legislature. They are to join the forces of the Territory and march under Gov. Lane over the land route towards California till they reach the neighborhood of Rogue River. It is known that there are hostile tribes of Indians in this country. It was infested by them last season, and several helpless companies of Oregonians were murdered while on their way to California. Lately, some friendly Indians have given information in Oregon that the wives and children of some families who journeyed over this route last season are now prisoners among the Digger Indians--the men having been murdered. The Oregonians are highly incensed at these outrages, and it is thought they will not be satisfied until the offensive Indians are exterminated. The energetic steps taken by the Governor will doubtless be the means of opening a safe overland communication between California and Oregon. Sacramento Transcript, May 28, 1850, page 2 Gov.
Lane and Rogue River Gold.
The
Determined Grumblers.
Gov. Lane has gone to the Rogue River country to negotiate, if
possible, a treaty with the Indians in that region, preparatory to
working the gold mines there. It is the Governor's intention to explore
that section of Oregon pretty thoroughly with reference to its mineral
resources.
Oregon Spectator, Oregon City, May 30, 1850, page 2 In 1850 Dan Waldo and Martin went with Jo Lane to make a treaty with the Rogue River Indians. "Pioneer Days," Oregonian, Portland, January 3, 1886, page 2 Our Oregon Correspondence.
OREGON
CITY, June 15, 1850.
The Legislative
Assembly--Politics--
Trial and Execution of the Cayuses--Gold, &c., &c.
Popular attention has latterly been strongly attracted towards Oregon
City, where events of a deeply interesting character have been
transpiring; and so far as they are, or may be, interesting to your
readers, they will be noticed.
The Legislative Assembly convened in special session in Oregon City, on the 6th of May, on the call of Governor Lane. This session was called to provide for some things which had been overlooked by the Assembly at its former session. Their doings, however, were entirely of a private nature, and their rehearsal would add nothing to the interest of this letter. Governor Lane is making commendable efforts to have the civil affairs of the Territory in the best possible condition when the hour of his official departure shall arrive; and, in order that he might effect his object, the Assembly were asked to alter, amend, or add to some of their former acts. In doing so, they remained together two weeks, and passed, perhaps, some half dozen acts, original or supplementary. The members of [the] Legislature are men of good sense and sound integrity, and they have on the whole framed an excellent code of laws. One subject of discussion, though not of definite action, deserves a passing notice. The idea of a State government has been extensively discussed in private circles; and as the measure is decidedly popular, the subject was agitated in both branches of the Assembly, and there is little doubt that the question of calling a convention to frame a constitution would have been submitted to the people if the election had not been so near at hand as to prevent a full and fair canvass of the matter. We shall be feeling for the knocker by the time California is disposed of. With the actual and rapid influx of population, and the many encouragements held out to immigrants, there is little doubt that in less than eighteen months there can be no objection made to the admission of Oregon as a State of the Union on the ground of a want of population. All here feel that the claims of Oregon require a more numerous delegation to Congress. We do not wish to kill our present talented and popular delegate, and shall soon be asking to add at least two coadjutors on the floor of the national Legislature. It may be proper here to remark that the subject of party politics has been, for a few weeks past, warmly discussed. The meeting of the Legislature brought together the leading Democrats of the Territory, and the removal of Governor Lane afforded a favorable pretext for a party rally; so a Democratic meeting or convention was got together, for the double purpose, I should judge from their published proceedings, of organizing the party and adopting some indignation resolutions with reference to Governor Lane's removal. At this meeting the party was only organized by the appointment of central and local committees, and the other formalities usual on such occasions. The movement is received coldly by the masses, and the prospect at present is that the party thus formed, though undoubtedly the strongest on the question of principle, will for a time be defeated by the combined power of the Whigs and the no-party party. Most surely will this be the case until party papers are established, as the Oregon Spectator, the only paper now in the Territory, is badly neutral on every subject. But the subject of most thrilling and intense interest has been the trial and execution of five Cayuse Indians, who were delivered up to Governor Lane by their nation, as the only survivors of the murderers of Dr. Whitman and others, at the missionary station on the Walla Walla. After much negotiation, and especially after seeing company after company of the rifle regiment coming into the Territory, the nation determined to purchase peace and safety by surrendering the perpetrators of that horrible massacre into the hands of American justice. Being thus given up by their own people, these five persons might have been justly executed on the testimony of their own nation. They were, however, tried in open court: first indicted by a grand jury, then arraigned before a petit jury, and there, by the surviving females of the massacre, who remembered, recognized, and identified them every one, were they fairly tried. They were defended by K. Pritchett, Esq., Secretary of the Territory, Major R. B. Reynolds, and Captain T. Clayborne, of the army. Everything the zeal of counsel and Hudson Bay and Catholic influence could do was done to save them from the gallows. The jury, however, pronounced them guilty, and the Judge declared they must be hung; and notwithstanding the Archbishop of the Catholic Church labored to the last to save them, and followed them to the scaffold with his wax doll and crossed sticks, which the savages were required repeatedly to kiss, yet all would not do; they were hung by the neck until they were dead, dead! Thus ends an affair which gave rise to a war which cost the nation little short of two hundred thousand dollars, and which most probably grew out of the attempt of the Catholics to establish a mission in the heart of a tribe already occupied by Protestant missionaries. From this, reflecting minds will draw their own conclusions. The election came off throughout the Territory on the first Monday of the present month. Party lines were not fully drawn in any except two counties. In one of these (Marion) the organized Democrats carried their ticket throughout, while in the other portions of the Territory the no-organization party carried all before them. So far as the political principles of the successful candidates are concerned, the result shows that the Whigs and Democrats are about equally represented in the Legislative Assembly. It ought, however, to be borne in mind that the election did not turn on politics, except in two instances, persons voting indiscriminately for Whig or Loco, as they were influenced by personal or local considerations. The first of this month may be noted as the commencement of a new era in the progress of Oregon. The United States mail steamer Carolina arrived at Portland on the Willamette, on the 1st instant. This steamer is one of Aspinwall & Co.'s line, which are to run regularly between this point and San Francisco hereafter. This at once converts months into weeks, so that we now are one week from San Francisco, and five or six weeks from New York. And not only are we assured of the regular trips of the mail steamers, but some two or three others will soon commence to run regularly between this point and San Francisco. Nor is the business in any danger of being overdone. There is an immense travel on this coast, and the travel and commerce on these waters require only the necessary facilities to cause a great and rapid expansion. Oregon possesses a remarkable degree almost every element of real greatness and permanent prosperity, and she awaits only the applications of the appropriate means to ensure their development. Hitherto the steamers have confined their operations to the coast below San Francisco, and both trade and travel have been restricted to the slow and irksome motions of sail vessels, but now, the improved prospect of affairs is hailed with universal joy. Well, really, a person will need to write fast to keep up with the rush of events, as they pour into the bosom of our people new elements of excitement every day. The people of Oregon have become convinced that gold might be found plentifully on Rogue River and other streams in the south part of the Territory, and there was a good deal of preparation made to commence mining operations in that quarter as soon as the waters should subside and leave the bars exposed. But it has been announced that gold, in rich and extensive deposits, has been discovered in the tributaries of the Columbia. This news, for the moment, has brought everything up standing. The specimens exhibited from that region certainly indicate a rich vein of metallic wealth. The rivers are, however, flush of water, and it may be some weeks before successful operations can be commenced. Among the persons who have gone into that region are some one or two of our most intelligent men, who will return shortly with authentic particulars. But contemplate for a moment the condition and prospects of Oregon. Unrivaled for her agricultural, manufacturing, and commercial privileges, she adds to these also the valuable possession of the shining ore. Must not this Territory, for social comfort, universal intelligence, domestic happiness, and unbounded wealth, soon occupy an enviable position. Side by side with California will Oregon run the high and bright career of prosperity in rearing up the mighty empire of the Pacific. ALPHA.
New
York Herald, September 9, 1850, page
3News from the gold mines comes in slowly. We learn that Gov. Lane has gone on to Rogue River. The washings on South Umpqua yielded a fair remuneration to the industrious. It was confidently believed, however, that Rogue River would pay much better, and most of the companies have passed on to that river. "News from the Gold Mines," Oregon Spectator, Oregon City, June 27, 1850, page 2 RESIGNATION.--Gov. Joseph Lane has resigned the office of Governor of this Territory. The resignation took effect on the 18th inst. The executive functions devolve for the present on the Hon. K. Prichette, Secretary of the Territory. Oregon Spectator, Oregon City, June 27, 1850, page 2 Gov. Lane, of Oregon, has resigned his office as Governor, and is contemplating a trip to the Illinois River, in search of the gold region. "Items from Oregon," Burlington Hawk-Eye, Burlington, Iowa, September 5, 1850, page 2 News from the Gold Mines.
Persons have come in from the Rogue River country who are confident
that gold may be found there in considerable quantities, though the
waters were still too high to "prospect" satisfactorily. Gold, however,
was found. Gov. Lane, not finding things to suit him on Rogue River,
after negotiating a treaty of peace with the Rogue River Indians had
gone on to Trinity, on his way to California.
Oregon Spectator, Oregon City, July 25, 1850, page 3 By arrival of steamer Carolina three days from Astoria, and four days from Fort Vancouver, we have advices from Oregon. We learn that Gov. Lane and party, whose departure to Rogue River has been previously announced, had been unsuccessful in his explorations for gold in that region, and had proceeded to the Umpqua. "Oregon News," Sacramento Transcript, August 9, 1850, page 2 Gen. Lane, the Governor of Oregon, had left the city on the 1st of June with seventy-five Klickitat Indians and a few regulars for Rogue River, on an exploring expedition, and also for the purpose of making a treaty with the Rogue River Indians, who have lately been committing robberies and depredations on the emigrants. Gen. Lane's party had proceeded as far as the South Fork of the Umpqua River, where gold dust was discovered in quantities on the bars of the river. Here the party stopped and went to mining. As they had but few utensils, however, they only averaged about ten dollars per day. Great excitement prevailed in Oregon in regard to the flattering rumors of the existence of great quantities of gold in the Spokane country, north of the Columbia, which had been confirmed. Great quantities had left for the mines. "From Oregon," Illinois Daily Journal, Springfield, August 21, 1850, page 2 IN EARLIER DAYS
"In the
spring of [1850], after returning from
the California gold fields," said Cy Mulkey of Roseburg, "I
went to work on William Martin's farm. After digging gold and fighting
Indians, plowing seemed pretty prosaic, so at the end of the month I
said to Mr. Martin that he need not pay me anything if he would give me
his white pony with blue eyes. He agreed to this so I rode to my home
in Yamhill County.By Fred Lockley "A few days after I had gone home General Lane passed our place. He was following some soldiers who had deserted at Oregon City and he wanted a posse of citizens to go with him. He promised to give a reward of $30 for each deserter captured and returned. These soldiers were mounted dragoons who had come across the plains the year before. A good many of them were soldiers who had served under General Lane during the Mexican War. "Stories of the fortunes being made in the California gold fields were too much for them. A large number of them had deserted and had started for California. General Lane knew that the men were not prepared to make the 800-mile trip. They had left without supplies except what they could carry on their backs. We overtook 83 of them at Grave Creek in the Rogue River Valley. Their clothes were worn out. They were out of food and were not at all unwilling to be captured. We took them back to Oregon City, and General Lane paid the reward to those of us who had gone with him. "On this trip General Lane told me that he himself was going to California on the first of June and on his way he was going to stop, hold a peace council with the Rogue River Indians and try to get them to cease their attacks on the miners traveling through their country. As I had lost two good horses and a silver-mounted saddle, bridle and spurs and $3600 in gold dust the fall before, I was anxious to go along in the hope that I might recover some of my property. "General Lane offered me a position as interpreter. I gladly accepted his offer. At this time there were a good many Klickitat Indians in the Willamette Valley. Their chief was very anxious to make a raid on the Rogue River Indians to get the horses which they had stolen from miners and packers. They had several hundred stolen horses. "'Quarterly,' the head of the Klickitat Indians, asked General Lane if he would let 40 of his warriors go along with him so that if General Lane failed to make the treaty, the Klickitat Indians could make a raid on the Rogue River Indians and secure the horses. General Lane agreed to this and took the Indians along. "We had with us about 500 head of beef cattle which belonged to General Lane, Phil Thompson and Mr. Martin and Mr. Angel. "We reached the South Umpqua River, near what is now the town of Canyonville, without special incident. We camped there several days while the Klickitat Indians were out scouting to find the Rogue River Indians. They located a small band near the head of the South Umpqua. They brought these into camp. With them there was a boy about 15 years old whom the Rogue River Indians had captured from the Calapooia Indians. This boy could talk good Chinook, so could I. General Lane would give me his message which I would translate into Chinook to the boy and he would translate into the tongue of the Rogue River Indians. The Rogue River Indians agreed to send runners out and get all of the tribe together at a council on Rogue River, just above where the town of Gold Hill is now located. They kept their promise and met General Lane as agreed. "After a two-day council they signed a treaty. We named the chief who signed the treaty for his people, Chief Joseph, naming him after General Joseph Lane. General Lane killed two beeves and gave the Indians a big barbecue. In return, the chief of the Rogue River Indians made General Lane a present of an Indian boy whom they had captured from the Calapooia Indians. During the treaty I saw an Indian on one of my horses which had been stolen from me the year before. General Lane had my horse returned to me and one of the Indians gave me $100 of the gold dust that had been taken from me. The rest of it, about $3500, they had thrown in the river. They had taken from our party the year before over $20,000 in gold dust, and of this entire amount they had only saved $100 in nuggets, throwing all of the rest away. "General Lane was afraid that as soon as he left the Klickitat Indians would make a raid on the Rogue River Indians, steal the horses and break the treaty he had just signed. He called the chief of the Klickitats and told him that I was his personal representative and would go back with them to the Willamette Valley and that he would hold him responsible for any harm his Indians did on the way back. "The Indians made no trouble whatever on the way back. General Lane went on to California while I returned to Oregon where I spent that winter. Oregon Journal, Portland, December 28, 1913, page 6 GENERAL JOSEPH LANE.
PORTLAND, Feb. 26.--(To the Editor.)--I wish to enter a protest against
the estimate which is placed upon the character of the late General
Joseph Lane, as it was portrayed in the article entitled "Oregon Forty
Years a State," which appeared in the Oregonian upon the
40th anniversary of the admission of Oregon as a state.A Letter Offered by One of His Descendants. The article does wrong to the memory of General Lane, inasmuch as a spirit of unfairness seems to pervade it--the impression created by reading it being that he was a shifty politician of intriguing spirit and low moral tone, who was prepared at any price to advance his personal interests at the expense of his fellow citizens. No one who was acquainted with General Lane will approve such an estimate of him, either as a man or a politician, and I do not think it fair or just to perpetuate such an estimate of him in an article which, being historical, should be absolutely free from prejudice, and of unquestioned accuracy. The article to which I refer was, I am told, compiled from the old files of the Oregonian of some 40 years ago, and if it had been published as such a compilation no blame would attach to it. Forty years ago and at a later time, as is well known, the Oregonian was engaged in a bitter personal and political fight upon General Lane, and the party to which he belonged, and its estimate of him was that of a partisan of radically different views upon nearly all subjects, and any findings drawn from that source are open to question and should be carefully weighed before being accepted as history. History should be a narration of facts entirely freed from bias or prejudice, and may not be accepted as such, without investigation, when it has its source in a pronounced and uncompromising enemy. I am aware that Bancroft's history of Oregon sums up against General Lane about the same kind of findings as does the article to which I refer. Inasmuch, however, as the matter in Bancroft's history was likewise made up largely from the old files of the Oregonian, and was written by, and tinctured with, the bitterness of certain well-known detractors of his, the same charge of unfairness will lie against its findings as does against these. General Lane was not free from faults or mistakes; no man is. Yet he was an honorable man, at all times a gentleman, and personally a brave man, who fought fair and asked no odds; and it is in justice due to him that the interpretation of his character and his acts should be vested in the hands of impartial observers. Having been born and raised in the South, he no doubt failed to see the injustice of slavery as we see it today; yet personally he would no more have owned and held a slave than would Wendell Phillips. Being a Southern man, however, his associates and best friends were the men who were, or were kin to, the slaveholding planters of the South, and he either had to turn traitor to every tradition of his life, or stand with the South in the upholding of an institution which they believed to be an inalienable right. I do not remember of many strong opponents of slavery having been born in the Southern states. Washington and Jefferson were slaveholders, and believed in slavery, and no doubt would have fought for it. They, too, were assailed with the most bitter indictments by contemporary writers, though not for that reason, yet who accepts those writers as the true historians of their time or rehashed their findings as history? It was stated in the article that General Lane brought home from Washington with him a case of muskets to be used in an effort to force Oregon out of the ranks of the Union. I quote this statement as evidence of the old-time spirit of unfairness which pervades it. The very fact that this statement is gravely put forth in good faith an an historical truth bears out my claim that the entire article is made up from old political campaign literature loosely strung together, and served up as history. It seems a pity that a general write-up of our state's early history could not, by some slip of the cogs, have been viewed from a more intelligent standpoint. As another evidence of the old-time spirit of unfairness which insidiously pervades the entire article I wish to call attention to the fact that any praiseworthy action of General Lane in behalf of his country or this state has been scrupulously suppressed. By no slip of the pen was any kindly word of commendation allowed to assert itself bearing upon the fact that he was wounded while gallantly fighting in the Mexican War, or that he was a fearless Indian fighter, who fearlessly and cheerfully exposed his life in the early Indian wars of Oregon in behalf of his fellow settlers. There are not many of the old-time settlers of Oregon left, and it is to be regretted that a new generation of its people are to be impressed with a narrow view of a man who in its early history was one of its leading spirits. When General Lane died, his death having been caused by inflammation in an old wound received in one of the battles with the Indians, his estate was found to have a value of $300. Evidently he had not combined thrift with politics. General Lane is dead and his views and ideas upon questions of the past are not known to me; still it is not beyond the bounds of reason to suppose that, with rare foresight, he might have been skeptical concerning the motives of some of the gentleman who were most in evidence upon the subject of slavery in those days, as I am of the mouthings of those who continue to draw moral deduction upon the horrors of slavery, from a state of affairs which ceased to exist well nigh a generation ago, yet evince no interest in the fact that scores of Chinese women are bought and sold for money outright and held in slavery right here in Oregon today. These gentry who find time and energy to "yawp" and blatherskite around of their three-ply allegiance to "Old Glory" and American freedom go along seemingly indifferent to the miseries of helpless fellow creatures whose moral and physical state of hopeless and utter degradation is not to be matched outside of hell. Perhaps in looking out and down the vista of time he saw a party grow up which under the guise of loving kindness cinched a burden of taxation upon the common people, and the poor, which sweated out of them one-half of all their earnings; perhaps saw it with one hand stealing this money from the earnings of the many, and with blatant vociferation bestowing it with the other hand upon the fatted and specially protected industries of the few. Perhaps he saw under this anomalous condition of affairs, and the fostering care of this party, trusts and close combines spring up as thickly as the lice sprang up in Egypt at the stroke of Aaron's rod; perhaps saw a party, planted by and rooted in a Lincoln, put forth its buds and grow and blossom, and, reaching in due time the full fruition of its greatness, bring forth as the matured fruit of its wisdom, its honesty and its existence a Mark Hanna, a McKenna, an Eagan and an Alger, God wot. HARRY
LANE.
Oregonian, Portland,
February 26, 1899, page 22
Joe Lane's Trip to Yreka.
The S.F.
Call, in a sketch of Yreka, furnishes this heretofore
unpublished story:Joseph Lane, the Governor of Oregon Territory, had a narrow escape from discovering the richness of the Yreka gold flats. He had manfully resisted the onslaught of the gold fever in 1848, while passing through California on his way to Oregon. In the summer of 1850, however, the Governor convinced himself, if not others, that it was necessary for him to make a protracted official visit to the southern portion of his territory. He set out in July with a half dozen white men and three times the number of Indians. That he failed to halt when he reached the southern boundary was an oversight that he could hardly be held responsible for, as the exact location of the line was not determined until many years later. On reaching the Klamath River Lane's party prospected a little and then went on farther south. Quite a little work was done on Shasta River, near the mouth of Yreka Creek, on what is now known as Joe Lane's Bar. But they looked for still richer diggings and went on southward. Parties of prospectors were now passing over the flats constantly, on their way to diggings at Scott Bar, Shasta River and Greenhorn. Yreka Creek was the favorite camping place. It was by one of these parties from Oregon that the great discovery was made. This was in March of 1851. In the party was one Abraham Thompson, a more curious or more persistent gold-searcher than the others. On the morning of the discovery--the exact date of which is unknown to the local historians--the party was breaking camp and preparing to cross over to the Greenhorn mines. Thompson wandered off to the west and became separated from the others. He concluded to prospect a little on his own account, and washed three pans of dirt in running water that came down a small ravine since called Black Gulch. The result showed him a good prospect of coarse gold. Thompson went back to his party and showed his friends the yellow specks he had washed out. The amount was not great, but the coarse gold in it made them hesitate to leave the place without further prospecting. This they did, with even better results than those obtained by Thompson, and later on, when they saw little scales of gold clinging to the roots of the long grass, they were still further convinced of the richness of their find. With two or three fortunate exceptions the men in this party were newcomers at the mines and quite ignorant of mining customs and laws, and the men who made the exceptions were no better posted on these matters than they should have been. They knew enough, however, to tell the others that they must organize a district and make regulations. Accordingly a meeting was held the next day, and Thompson's Dry Diggings was formally organized. The size of the claims was fixed at 30 feet. This was done in deference to the opinion of the more experienced miners, but the claims might legally have been made 50 feet, though this was not known until the claims had been staked off and work commenced on them. It was too late to change then, and, as it was, the claims yielded fortunes to their owners. Thompson and his partner, Bell, were given an extra claim between them for the discovery. Thus was launched upon the world the celebrated dry diggings of Yreka Flats. How men poured in from all directions and Shasta Butte City, with a population of 5,009 souls, sprang into being in less than six months from the time that Thompson washed his first panful would be an interesting narrative in itself.Valley Record, Ashland, August 1, 1895, page 3 IN EARLIER DAYS
By Fred Lockley.
"In the spring of [1850], after returning from the California gold
fields," said Cy Mulkey of Roseburg, "I went to work on William
Martin's farm. After digging gold and fighting Indians, plowing seemed
pretty prosaic, so at the end of the month I said to Mr. martin that he
need not pay me anything if he would give me his white pony with blue
eyes. He agreed to this, so I rode to my home in Yamhill County
"A few days after I had gone home General Lane passed our place. He was following some soldiers who had deserted at Oregon City, and he wanted a posse of citizens to go with him. He promised to give a reward of $30 for each deserter captured and returned. These soldiers were mounted dragoons who had come across the plains the year before. A good many of them were soldiers who had served under General Lane during the Mexican War. "Stories of the fortunes being made in the California gold fields were too much for them. A large number of them had deserted and had started for California. General Lane knew that the men were not prepared to make the 800-mile trip. They had left without supplies except what they could carry on their backs. We overtook 83 of them at Grave Creek in the Rogue River Valley. Their clothes were worn out. They were out of food and were not at all unwilling to be captured. We took them back to Oregon City, and General Lane paid the reward to those of us who had gone with him. "On this trip General Lane told me that he himself was going to California on the first of June, and on his way he was going to stop, hold a peace council with the Rogue River Indians and try to get them to cease their attacks on the miners traveling through their country. As I had lost two good horses and a silver-mounted saddle, bridle and spurs and $3600 in gold dust the fall before, I was anxious to go along in the hope that I might recover some of my property. "General Lane offered me a position as interpreter. I gladly accepted his offer. At this time there were a good many Klickitat Indians in the Willamette Valley. Their chief was very anxious to make a raid on the Rogue River Indians to get the horses which they had stolen from miners and packers. They had several hundred stolen horses. "'Quatley,' the head of the Klickitat Indians, asked General Lane if he would let 40 of his warriors go along with him so that if General Lane failed to make the treaty, the Klickitat Indians could make a raid on the Rogue River Indians and secure the horses. General Lane agreed to this and took the Indians along. "We had with us about 500 head of beef cattle which belonged to General Lane, Phil Thompson and Mr. Martin and Mr. Angel. "We reached the South Umpqua River, near what is now the town of Canyonville, without special incident. We camped there several days while the Klickitat Indians were out scouting to find the Rogue River Indians. They located a small band near the head of the South Umpqua. They brought these into camp. With them there was a boy about 15 years old whom the Rogue River Indians had captured from the Calapooia Indians. This boy could talk good Chinook; so could I. General Lane would give me his message which I would translate into Chinook to the boy, and he would translate into the tongue of the Rogue River Indians. The Rogue River Indians agreed to send runners out and get all of the tribe together at a council on the Big Bar on the south side of Rogue River, just above where the town of Gold Hill is now located. They kept their promise and met General Lane as agreed. "After a two-day council they signed a treaty. We named the chief who signed the treaty for his people Chief Joseph, naming him after General Joseph Lane. General Lane killed two beeves and gave the Indians a big barbecue. In return, the chief of the Rogue River Indians made General Lane a present of an Indian boy whom they had captured from the Calapooia Indians. During the treaty I saw an Indian on one of my horses which had been stolen from me the year before. General Lane had my horse returned to me, and one of the Indians gave me $100 of the gold dust that had been taken from me. The rest of it, about $3500, they had thrown in the river. They had taken from our party the year before over $20,000 in gold dust, and of this entire amount they had only saved $100 in nuggets, throwing all of the rest away. "General Lane was afraid that as soon as he left the Klickitat Indians would make a raid on the Rogue River Indians, steal the horses and break the treaty he had just signed. He called the chief of the Klickitats and told him that I was his personal representative and would go back with them to the Willamette Valley and that he would hold him responsible for any harm his Indians did on the way back. "The Indians made no trouble whatever on the way back. General Lane went on to California, while I returned to Oregon City, where I spent that winter." Oregon Daily Journal, Portland, December 29, 1913, page 6 "In the spring of 1850, when I was sixteen," resumed E.L.A, "the Klickitat chief, Quatley, came again into our neighborhood--his band was the same to which King's girl belonged--and for two or three reasons we got better acquainted and more regard for him and his. He had learned some American, and we had acquired enough Chinook to communicate simple ideas and facts. Beginning away back in the rusty ages, this band of four to five hundred had been pure nomads, fearing no man and the soul of honor; but this chief was a complete patriarchal despot inside his own tribe. For unnumbered years they had had a treaty with the Calapooias to roam the foothills, Chehalems, Yamhills and Coast Range to the ocean for trapping and hunting. Of course mutual defense was included. The tradition ran that many years before, Quatley had exterminated the Molallas from the Coast Range, and they were now found only in the remote and high Cascades. These latter, as told elsewhere, were sad cannibals and brutes and perhaps richly deserved their fate. He went on to tell Father and Uncle Jesse that he was called 'Quatley' because it was the name of the tribe; and both tribe and reigning chief had borne that name from time immemorial. Uncle Jesse asked him 'Konse "Quatley" tyee inika 'Tuck a mo nuk, kionass,'* replied he! Then for historical you might write 'Quatley C'! He said the whole tribe was related, notwithstanding he and his predecessors never allowed connections nearer than third cousin. He claimed that he had gone into and beyond the Rockies and had fed on buffalo. He boasted, too, that they had a more decided eye for the beautiful than other nations because they always chose romantic camps. To this latter we also can bear witness; and they were a unique lot. They had always avoided entangling alliances, and when any tribal contention threatened they would simply load their ponies and disappear. They never donned war garb or indulged in battle dances. If an Indian or Indians got in their way they merely shot an arrow through him or brained him with the tomahawk. They had treaties with all Coast tribes, except the Cascade Molallas, which they claimed originated prior to all memory or history. No change had occurred within their own families in manners or customs for all the ages known. Also they learned that the early navigators had nameless diseases and in that line kept free from contamination. (At the 'King' episode Dr. McLoughlin had to assure the chief before he would yield. K.) None of Quatley's retainers could take a partner without his consent. (*What number chief are you? Perhaps, hundred.) They were unmistakably the handsomest and most intelligent that any of us have ever met. When Gov. Jo Lane came, Quatley asked to be introduced, and they proved to be highly pleased with each other; so much so that you will see how genuine it was. Lane said to Father: 'Why, Applegate, I'm astounded! That old fellow is so self-possessed that he never says or does anything unworthy of a sage or a statesman!' Rumor came in early 1850 that the Rogue River Indians had three white women prisoners, and thereupon Lane said he'd take a battalion and go investigate. Quatley heard of the matter and came to Lane to offer the services of some of his own tribe, which the Governor accepted. Lane proposed that the whites, after their service was done, might stay and mine if they chose. In their march some skirmishing occurred with the Umpquas, which had no disaster for the Oregonians or allies; but when they reached the Rogue River Valley and made known their errand the natives were so defiant that Lane was led to deem them guilty. Hostilities began, but whites and Klickitats together were too much for the hostiles, who sued for an armistice in which they would seek the prisoners demanded and if found deliver them to the Governor. The latter demanded six Rogue River squaws as hostages, that were handed over to Quatley, who was left in command, while Lane and his battalion went to Yreka, where all engaged in mining while the search was in progress. Decision was left with Quatley, who, after all was done to his satisfaction, reported to Lane that in his opinion the suspicion was, then at least, unfounded. The Governor accepted the decision, released the hostages with presents, while the former hostiles promised better conduct, and the whole matter was dropped. Quatley and his braves returned to the Willamette, whence they moved on to their tribal home, Klickitat Mountain, north of the Columbia. Elisha Lindsay Applegate, quoted in Reese P. Kendall, Pacific Trail Camp-Fires, Chicago 1901, pages 195-198
Persons have
come in from the Rogue River country, who are confident that gold may
be found in considerable quantities, though the waters were still too
high to "prospect" satisfactorily. Gold, however, was found. Gov. Lane,
not finding things to suit him on Rogue River, after negotiating a
treaty of peace with the Rogue River Indians, had gone on to Trinity on
his way to California.
"From Oregon," Illinois Daily Journal, Springfield, October 2, 1850, page 2 A gentleman who arrived a few days since informed us that the Indians on the Sacramento are inimical to the whites. They are constantly committing all kinds of depredations upon the whites. They have committed several murders, to which he was a witness. One was represented as having been killed in the coolest manner, and another whilst lying in his tent in a helpless condition. Our informant states further that Gen. Lane was about to abandon the mines, his success not having been encouragingly large. He was under the impression that Gen. Lane intended to repair to Sacramento City. For anything further deponent knew nothing. Oregon Spectator, Oregon City, November 14, 1850, page 2 (From
the Louisville Democrat.)
Letter from Oregon. Sketch of the Journey of General Joseph Lane to the Pacific, and of His Course as Governor of Oregon Until His Removal by the Federal Government. Astoria,
(Oregon) Dec. 6, 1850.
Since General Joseph
Lane's removal from the office of Governor of Oregon, we have noticed
in several papers of high repute attacks upon his character and
political reputation, which, if left unanswered, may produce erroneous
impressions upon the public mind, not only as regards the course he
pursued while in office, but also as to the motive and principle which
actuated his conduct.We will notice no particular slander, coming as they all do from political opponents, for we have no sinister motive in view--"no political projects to build up"--and must be excused from shaping this article only to subserve the purpose of a refutation to partisan declarations or heated political assertions. Our sole object is to do justice to the character of one who has devoted a large portion of his life and services to his country, and is now in the eyes of his countrymen an example--verifying the truth of that maxim, which belongs to the vocabulary of the sneering monarchist, that republics are ungrateful. Let these simple facts attest: Gen. Lane, at the time he was commissioned Governor of the Territory of Oregon by President Polk, resided on the banks of the Ohio River, one hundred and fifty miles below the city of Louisville. He was absent from home, and received the first telegraphic news of his appointment at Madison. On his return he visited General Butler, to whom he expressed doubts as to the correctness of the news previously heard, for he had never asked for or in any way solicited that or any other appointment from the administration. Gen. Butler, with characteristic judgment, assured him that he had no doubt of its truth, for, said he, when I was in Washington Mr. Polk spoke to me on the subject, and I told him if I had the appointment to make, and the whole world to choose from, I would say Gen. Lane is the very man. Gen. L. proceeded home, where he arrived the 27th August, and found his commission in the hands of Major Meek. On the morning of the 28th, at one o'clock of that morning, he, with his eldest son and Major Meek, started for Oregon. It is to be regretted that so few officers, and particularly the recipients of executive favors, display that decision of purpose and energy of character that mark the conduct of Gen. Lane on this occasion. The distance to be traveled, the obstacles and almost insurmountable difficulties attending it, the political condition of the people of Oregon, their utter destitution of any effective social organization, and their distant cry for the protection of their homes and families from the merciless tomahawk of the savage, all demanded of the President the appointment of a man to their chief magistracy of the Territory who would quickly repair to his post of duty, and discharge faithfully and fearlessly the responsibilities of his office. President Polk doubtless knew well the man of his choice; he knew, as the history of the Mexican War fully attests, that he was selecting one whose stern integrity, undoubted courage, firmness and decision of purpose, had been sufficiently tried and fully established by the annals of "times that try men's souls." Gen. L. arrived at St. Louis on the evening of the 30th August, visited Gen. Kearny at Jefferson Barracks on the morning of the 31st, who promptly furnished orders for Capt. Roberts, of the Rifles at Leavenworth, to hold himself in readiness to escort the General and party to Oregon. Gen. Kearny, seriously doubting the possibility of making the trip so late in the season, attempted to dissuade them from starting. Gen. Lane, however, feeling the responsibility incurred by accepting his office, moved on. He arrived at Fort Leavenworth on the 4th September, and was told by both officers and citizens that it was impossible to cross the mountains so late in the season. An outfit was purchased, and with an escort of 20 men under Lieut. Hawkins they left the fort on the 10th September, and arrived at Los Angeles, on the Pacific coast, on the 30th December following. The party camped out more than one hundred nights, and from Santa Fe to Los Angeles, a distance of several hundred miles, were without tents and compelled to pack their provisions. They encountered the deepest snows, covering rugged mountains, and slept on the rocks without the common comforts of the camp. They traveled, at one time during the trip, over one hundred miles without water, necessarily suffering the most painful sensations of thirst. It is remarkable that Gen. Lane, a man, we suppose, more than fifty years of age, should have retained the physical ability to undergo the toils and hardships of the journey, and to no other agency can we now attribute it, other than that fixedness of purpose which belongs to the energetic mind of the man. Gen. Lane arrived at the mouth of the Columbia River, Oregon, on the 18th February, at a time when there was no means of transportation to Oregon City, one hundred and fifty miles above, except the small canoe of the Indian. There were but five white families at Astoria, and the dangers attending a voyage up the river were sufficient to deter many from undertaking it. The new Governor, however, promptly chartered a Chinook canoe, and taking the bow oar himself pushed off for the capitol of the Territory, where he arrived 2nd March, 1849. He took the oath of office, and commenced the discharge of its duties on the day following. It is necessary, in order to a fuller understanding of the arduous duties of the executive of Oregon during the time he was in office, that we make a brief statement of the political and local condition of the country, and the relations which at that time subsisted between the white settlers and the various Indian tribes. Oregon was without a territorial government, and thus for several years had the inhabitants lived exposed to internal convulsions and the dangers of anarchy. True, they had established with the view of protecting individual liberty and property what was termed a provisional government, but from the necessity of the case--the absence of a sufficient population, as well as the want of power to enact and enforce laws--their organization was weak and inefficient. After the organization of the Territory by Congress, for the want of proper officers, no writs of election had issued to convene a Legislature, and nothing had been done towards the organization of courts or the election of any officers, judicial or ministerial--those appointed by the President had not yet arrived. The Indian title to the lands remained unextinguished, and no treaties had been established between the United States and the savage tribes; the fierce warriors of the Cayuse and the white man had never smoked the pipe of peace together, and the temple of Janus had never been closed west of the Rocky Mountains. Depredations were almost daily being committed by the Indians upon the emigrants and peaceful settlers, and some of the tribes seemed already to have resorted to murder and rapine, not only as an occupation by which they accumulated wealth, but with the more savage intent of exterminating from their midst the intruders upon their soil. At this time the arrival of Gov. Lane, the first officer under the territorial government, was hailed with joy by the people of Oregon. They could now anticipate a brighter future, a more desirable destiny, and looked forward with hope to the time when their country should become one of the bright and fixed stars in the American constellation of sovereign states. What did Gov. Lane do towards the realization of these hopes and these anticipations? Again let facts attest: His first official act was to appoint officers to take the census of the Territory, to cause apportionment to be made preparatory to the election by the people of members to the legislative assembly. This accomplished, in but a few days after his installment, he visited the Indians on the Columbia at the "Dalles," and having assembled the tribes in that section of the country, held a talk, and established our relations with them upon a proper basis. Immediately on his return to the seat of government, having learned that some bad white men had been stealing horses from the Indians, he set out in quest of the guilty persons; he arrested and brought them back, and delivered the property that had been taken to its rightful owners. It will be remembered that there were no territorial officers to aid him in the execution of these duties. While out the last time, Governor L. learned that the Snoqualmie Indians had murdered a party of white men at or near Puget's Sound; he immediately proceeded to the Sound, a distance of more than 200 miles, through a wilderness country--took with him arms and ammunition, and placed the settlers there in the best state of defense. On his return, he convened the first Territorial Legislature of Oregon. He then crossed the mountains, a distance of many miles, to Yacoac [sic], and visited and established friendly relations with all the Indians in that region. At this time some seventy or eighty soldiers of the Rifle Regiment, stationed at Oregon City, determined to go to the gold mines of California. They armed themselves, and in defiance of law and the threats of their officers marched boldly off in broad daylight. The officers in command of the regiment and various companies were unwilling to risk their lives in an attempt to arrest men who declared themselves ready and willing at all hazards to resist any efforts that might be taken to prevent the success of the undertaking. As soon as the news of their departure reached Governor L., he together with some of the officers and a small body of men started on the trail of the deserters. He followed them to the Canyon, three hundred miles--was out 35 days, 32 of which it rained, and was in swimming water over 100 times--he succeeded in arresting and bringing back about 60 of the men. After his return, still acting in the capacity of a ministerial officer, he went to the Cayuse country and brought to the seat of government the murderers of Whitman and his companions. These facts are stated because they best show with what energy and indomitable perseverance Governor L. discharged the duties of his office; they are "stubborn facts" that more clearly exhibit the real worth and merit of the man than any eulogy that we might write. It is the sentiment of nearly every man in Oregon that deep wrong and great injustice was done by the cabinet at Washington to a great and good man, when they issued their premature edict proscribing Governor Lane. His policy in managing the Indians was ever open and honorable, and had gained for him the unbounded confidence of that unfortunate people. His removal from office is deeply regretted by the nation as well as the adopted sons of Oregon, and for months to come must occur to the memories of the people only to arouse in the mind mingled feelings of regret and indignation. Indiana State Sentinel, Indianapolis, February 27, 1851, page 2 Up to February 1851 after my arrival in California I was a resident near Shasta in Shasta County in that state. Whilst there in the fall of 1850 I made the acquaintance of Genl. Joseph Lane, now delegate in Congress from Oregon Territory. Genl. Lane, being quite a favorite with the frontier men, was early informed of the prospects of Scotts River and vicinity and as early in the season of 1851 (and I think February) as the weather would permit set out for the new diggings and invited me to accompany him, which I did. We arrived on Scotts River in the last of February of that year. Upon our arrival on the upper waters of Scotts River the Indians, who had heard of Genl. Lane through the Oregon Indians, learning that the Genl. was leader of the company, came into camp and expressed a wish that all hostilities between them and the whites should cease and that Genl. Lane should be "tyee" or chief over both parties. Up to this time during our journey, which had been protracted to eighteen days, we had been under necessity of standing guard both over animals and camp both day and night. This proposition of the Indians was a great relief to us. Among the Indians who came in at that time were the chief of Scotts River Indians (calling themselves Otte-ti-e-was), whom we have christened John, and his three brothers, Tolo, now called "Old Man," chief of the band inhabiting that part of the country upon which Yreka is now located, and the chief of the Cañon Indians as they are called inhabiting the cañon and mountains on the lower part of Scotts River including the bar. He is since called Charley and has not been any way implicated in any of the difficulties since that time though previous thereto he was the most formidable enemy that the whites had to encounter. In March of that year diggings were struck on what is now called the Yreka Flats and on Greenhorn. In company with Genl. Lane I then moved from Scotts River to those diggings, where a little town was established called Shasta Butte City. The news of the new discovery was soon spread by the traders, and the exceeding richness of the district caused a sudden and heavy influx of miners who, excited by the prospect of suddenly realizing their fondest anticipations of wealth and competency, would turn out their horses and mules on the Shasta plains and pay no further heed to them until they had either realized their anticipations or had met with disappointment from not striking it and were again in want of them to either start for their far distant homes or in search of other and to them more lucky diggings. . . . As a consequence of the inattention of the miners to their horses and mules they frequently strayed off a long distance, and when wanted could not be found by their owners and but for the influence of Genl. Lane much irritation and difficulty would have grown out of that source, which would have involved us in a fatal Indian war. Genl. Lane commanded the respect of the whites and had won the confidence and affection of the Indians, and at a word from him Old Tolo would send out his young men to look up any lost animals desired. Upon bringing them in and delivery to him he would award to the Indians a shirt, pair of pants or drawers or some little trinket according to the value of the animal and the trouble in finding. This duty which by common consent was awarded to him was a heavy drain both upon his time and his means, but was performed with a cheerfulness which has endeared him to all of the old settlers here. Many times the owner of the animal had nothing with which to reimburse the Genl., and the horse was his only means of exit, in which case he never allowed the owner to go out on foot, but bid him take his animal and ride. After the Genl. left for his home in Oregon the Indians, from having seen me frequently in his company and at his tent, came to me with their troubles, and I had to take his plan with them, they styling me for some time "Tyee Joe Lane's codawa," meaning Genl. L.'s brother. Elijah Steele, letter of November 13, 1857, Cayuse, Yakima and Rogue River Wars Papers, University of Oregon Special Collections Bx47, Box 1, Folder 47. Mr. BRIGHT. Mr. President, I have taken my seat in the Senate today for the first time during the session, and consequently have had no opportunity of hearing in person the arguments that have been had upon the resolutions now under consideration. I learn, however, in conversation with Senators around, and from the remarks of my colleague this morning, that in discussing the relative merits of the persons removed by the late Executive, the name of General Lane has been noticed, and I understand that the Senate from Ohio alleges that he was removed for causes not political, but connected with the discharge of his official duties. I had the pleasure of hearing the remarks of the honorable Senator from North Carolina (Mr. Mangum) this morning, and he puts the removal of General Lane upon other and very different ground than that of the Senator from Ohio. As I understood the honorable Senator from North Carolina, General Lane was removed for the reason that he had given publicity to falsehoods against the late Executive of the United States. I will preface what I have to say with the remark that I am not now prepared to discuss this question at length, but at a proper time I propose to do so. I think I can show most conclusively that the Senator from Ohio, to say the least, is mistaken, and that General Lane was never removed from office for a dereliction of his official duties as Governor of the Territory of Oregon. I think I can show most conclusively that he performed his duties while in that position, under the embarrassing circumstances surrounding him, in a manner that may well challenge the scrutiny of all, even those who seek to find fault with him. I am as conversant with General Lane's official acts, and perhaps a little more so, than any gentleman upon this floor. I know the circumstances under which he took the office of Governor of the Territory of Oregon. I know something of the toils and privation he underwent in reaching his new home in that far-off Territory. I think I may say, without fear of successful contradiction, that he performed those duties in a manner highly creditable to himself and eminently satisfactory to the citizens of Oregon. Hence, sir, I am unwilling, as one of his friends, and he one of my most valued constituents, it should be announced that he was removed for a failure to perform his duty. No, sir, he was removed for political considerations--none other--and not for the reason assigned by the Senator from Ohio. I think I am in possession of proof to show that from the hour that General Lane received the telegraphic dispatch advising him of his appointment--and at that time he was a guest in my domicile--until the day he was dispossessed of his office, no public man ever labored more industriously or faithfully to discharge his duties as became an American patriot than he did. But I do not propose pursuing this point at this time. I now turn for a moment to the remarks made by the Senator from North Carolina. I say to him, in all kindness, that he is mistaken when he charges that General Lane ever made a publication derogatory to the reputation of General Taylor. Mr. MANGUM. I have an indistinct recollection of the circumstances. I heard of the matter about two years ago. My impression was derived from the public prints of the country, that not only a publication was made which reflected upon General Taylor's personal honor, but went to the extent of insinuating an impeachment of his veracity as a gentleman. And I have heard further, since I came into this hall this morning, from a Senator, that a gentleman in whom he reposed confidence, a man of character, had informed him that General Lane had repeatedly stated in public addresses to the people of Indiana that General Taylor's view of the subject, as presented to the world, was false in reference to the Indiana volunteers. I did not speak upon my own knowledge; I only assumed that if the facts were so, General Taylor could not have done otherwise than discharge him from public service under him. Mr. BRIGHT. I did not misunderstand the honorable Senator from North Carolina. I did not say that he had asserted that General Lane had made such publication, or that he uttered such declarations, but hypothetically that if General Lane had done so, he ought to have been removed. I concur with him in that opinion, unless he stated the truth, but I venture to assert that General Lane made no such publications, and I will say that in the public addresses which I heard General Lane make--and I heard him on several occasions--he made no such statement as that to which the honorable Senator from North Carolina alluded. If time be extended to me, and I should hereafter go into an investigation of the reports, the unfortunate reports, made in reference to the troops that volunteered from the state of Indiana, I trust I shall be able to show that they have been more misrepresented than any troops that ever took up arms in defense of their country. I will go into that investigation hereafter, if this discussion is continued. I think I shall be able to show that the fault in that case was not attributable to the men, to the soldiery, to the volunteers from the state of Indiana, not attributable to General Taylor, not attributable to General Lane, but attributable to another officer, who gave the order to retreat, and concealed the fact from the commanding general at the time he made his official report. And I will here take occasion to remark that a braver set of men never fought upon a battlefield. I will call upon the honorable Senator from Mississippi (Mr. Davis), a distinguished participant in all that occurred, to sustain me. To use his language, in talking to me on the subject some months since (and I am sorry that he is not now in his seat to repeat it): "The
second Indiana regiment gave that unmistakable evidence of bravery that
challenges contradiction; it was the number of dead left upon the
ground they occupied."
Congressional
Globe, Senate debate of December 19, 1850, page
84 For much
more on this, including incriminating quotes from Lane, refer to
subsequent debate here,
or in the Globe here,
January 2, 1851 session of the Senate, pages 154-157.Up to February 1851, after my arrival in California, I was a resident near Shasta, in Shasta County, in this state. Whilst there in the fall of 1850 I made the acquaintance of Genl. Joseph Lane, now delegate in Congress from Oregon Territory. Genl. Lane, being quite a favorite with our frontier men, was early informed of the prospects of Scotts River & vicinity, and as early in the season of 1851 (& I think February) as the weather would permit set out for the new diggings and invited me to accompany him, which I did. We arrived on Scotts River in the last of February of that year. Upon our arrival on the upper waters of Scotts River, the Indians, who had heard of Genl. Lane through the Oregon Indians, learning that the Genl. was leader of the company, came into camp and expressed a wish that all hostilities between them & the whites should cease, and that Genl. Lane should be "tyee," or chief, over both parties. Up to this time during our journey, which had been protracted to eighteen days, we had been under the necessity of standing guard, both over animals and camp, day & night. This proposition of the Indians was a great relief to us. Among the Indians who came in at that time were the chief of the Scotts River Indians (calling themselves Ot-te-tie-was), whom we have christened John, and his three brothers, Tolo, now called Old Man, chief of the band inhabiting that part of the country upon which Yreka is now located, and the chief of the Cañon Indians, as they are called, inhabiting the cañon and mountains on the lower part of Scotts River, including the bar. He is now called Charley, and has not been in any way implicated in any of the difficulties since that time, though previous thereto he was the most formidable enemy that the whites had to encounter. In March of that year diggings were struck on what is now called the Yreka Flats, and on Greenhorn. In company with Genl. Lane I then moved from Scotts River to those diggings, where a little town was established called Shasta Butte City. The news of the new discovery was soon spread by the traders, and the exceeding richness of the district caused a sudden and heavy influx of miners, who, excited by the prospect of suddenly realizing their fondest anticipations of wealth and competency, would turn out their horses and mules on the Shasta plains, and pay no further heed to them until they had either realized their anticipations or had met with disappointment from not striking it, and were again in want of them to either start for their far distant homes, or in search of other & to them more lucky diggings. The Indians now called the Shastas were then quite numerous, including the band occupying the Yreka Flats, under the chief Tolo, and those inhabiting the valley of the Shasta River and the contiguous mountains, under chiefs called "Bill," and another called "Scarface" (the latter so denominated from a deep scar on his cheek, caused by a cut received at the time he killed the chief of the band & usurped his authority). These Indians were all congregated on what is called Yreka Flats when we moved over and received us in a very friendly manner. They, with those of Scotts River and Rogue River, all talk the same language and were formerly under the control of one chief, but each of the bands being under the control of a subordinate chief. This head chief, who was the father of "John," of Scotts Valley, had been killed accidentally a few years previous, and John being young, a strife for the supremacy had been carried on for some time by Sam & Joe of Rogue River & Scarface of Shasta, and John of Scotts Valley, old Tolo remaining neutral in the contest. The whites coming in among them, their difficulties ceased, and each chief took supreme control of his separate band. At this time they had no stock among them, knew nothing of the use of horses & mules except for food, except what they had seen of their use when white people had passed through their country in the transit from Oregon to California or when the Modocs (a word signifying with them strange Indians) came in among them in war parties. The Indians were naked and lived an indolent life, game, fish & roots, upon which they subsisted, being then very abundant and easily obtained. As a consequence of the inattention of the miners to their horses & mules, they frequently strayed off a long distance & when wanted could not be found by their owners, and but for the influence of Genl. Lane much irritation & difficulty would have grown out of that source, which would have involved us in a fatal Indian war. Genl. Lane commanded the respect of the whites and had won the confidence & affection of the Indians, and at a word from him old Tolo would send out his young men to look up any lost animals desired. Upon bringing them in & delivering to him, he would award to the Indians a shirt, pair of pants, or drawers, or some little trinket, according to the value of the animal and the trouble in finding. This duty, which by common consent was awarded to him, was a heavy draw upon both his time & his means, but was performed with a cheerfulness which has endeared him to all the old settlers here. Many times the owner of the animal had nothing with which to reimburse the Genl., and his horse was his only means of exit, in which cases he never allowed the owner to go out on foot, but bid him take his animal & ride. Elijah Steele to Charles S. Drew, November 15, 1857 GEN. LANE IN THE MINES.--That gallant officer is now laboring in the mines on Olney's Creek, Redding's Diggings, about four miles from the Springs. He is represented as being one of the most steady and hard-working miners in that whole region of country, being engaged from early morn to the close of day. He has in his employ two half-breeds, but neither they nor any around him have the same powers of endurance with himself. Gen. L. is represented as doing quite well in the mines. Although he has made none of those large strikes, yet by diligence and frugality he is getting what will soon constitute a snug competency.--Sac. Transcript. Western Star, Milwaukie, February 20, 1851, page 3 Gen. Lane in Tennessee.
We publish today the proceedings of a meeting of the Democracy of
Indiana on the subject of nominating a candidate for President of the
United States. It will be seen that the meeting consisted of members of
the Constitutional Convention of the General Assembly, and of the
citizens of the state. It seems to have been a large and enthusiastic
meeting. General Joseph Lane was nominated, subject to the decision of
a national Democratic convention, as the choice of the state of Indiana
for the Presidency of the United States. Gen. Lane's reputation as a
civilian, and a military man, is national. Indiana may well be proud of
him, and style him the "Marion of the Mexican War, the Andrew Jackson
of Indiana." There can be no doubt the unjust conduct of Gen. Taylor's
cabinet--we suppose the Old General himself had about as little to do
with this as with the other acts of his administration--towards General
Lane, and the late violent attacks in the Senate of the United States
by prominent Whigs, will largely tend to strengthen him in popular
favor. We take pleasure in spreading the proceedings of the meeting
before our readers.--Nashville
Union.
Indiana Sentinel, Indianapolis, February 20, 1851, page 1 Gen. Lane.
We have been
kindly furnished, by Mr.
R. R. Thompson,
with the following extract from a letter received by him from Gen.
Joseph Lane, in answer to solicitations of numerous friends asking his
consent to run for Delegate to Congress:
"As to the Delegateship, I will leave the matter entirely to my friends. Oregon is, and shall be, my home. Should I be elected, I will try to be useful to the Territory. I am not ambitious for office. If it is agreed that I am to run, I will perform my part promptly." It is expected, from the tenor of the letter alluded to, that he will reach Oregon in two or three weeks. Oregon Spectator, Oregon City, March 6, 1851, page 2 BUTLER AND LANE.--The Roseville Democrat has hoisted the banner of Col. Butler for next President, and Gen. Lane for Vice. Oregon Spectator, Oregon City, March 20, 1851, page 2 Yoncalla,
Umpqua,
Editor
of the Spectator:March 14, 1851. The announcement contained in the Spectator of March 6th that Gov. Lane was shortly expected home, and was willing to serve the people of Oregon as their Delegate to Congress, will doubtless be hailed with pleasure in all parts of the country, as it has been in this valley. Permit me here to observe that by giving your support to a man with whom not only political, but in the case of the proprietor even personal, differences exist, you vindicate the neutrality of the Spectator, give the best evidence of the disinterested patriotism and magnanimity of its owner and conductor, and deserve the highest meed of praise from the people of Oregon. I most cordially unite with you in supporting Gov. Lane as the people's candidate for Delegate. And as his eulogium is written in the history of his country, and the page is too bright to be sullied by the detraction of his enemies, or to receive additional luster from the praise of so humble a friend as myself, I shall briefly give the reasons why, in my opinion, he should be chosen as the Delegate to Congress in preference to any other citizen of Oregon. As he is known in the United States aside from his military renown as a man of truth, probity and honor, he will be able to exercise a greater influence with the government than an individual less known to fame. As he has adopted his political and religious sentiments from his honest convictions, he extends to others all the rights he claims for himself, and will hereafter, as he has heretofore, in the discharge of his public duties, know neither party nor sect. And as he has served his country here as elsewhere with that devotion that knows no selfishness--being found ever at the post where he could best serve the people regardless of personal comfort or official dignity, the interests and honor of Oregon will be safe in his hands. For these reasons our selfishness alone should prompt us to support the election of Gov. Lane, but there are others of a higher character. He has been removed by a Whig administration from an office he filled faithfully and impartially, for opinion's sake, and the honor of the Whig party is concerned in rebuking this anti-Whig spirit at the ballot box. And lastly, the people of the southern frontier (of which I am one) owe to Gov. Lane a debt of gratitude too strong for party prejudices to cancel, and too great for time to erase. When we cease to do honor to the man who--casting aside the high dignity of his station, and the exemption from excessive fatigue and exposure he might claim from his age--rifle in hand, gallantly braved the floods and storms of winter to save our property, wives and daughters from the rapine of a lawless soldiery--may the finger of scorn point us out, and the curses of all good men follow us. I send you this communication because the partiality of some friends has caused my name to be mentioned in connection with the office of Delegate--and while deeply sensible of the honor their preference does me, I wish them distinctly to understand that I have no political aspirations whatever, and I am proud of the opportunity of so far justifying the high confidence they place in my integrity thus publicly to point out the man whose claims infinitely exceed my own, both in services rendered and ability to render more. With
the
highest respect,
Oregon
Spectator, Oregon City, April 10, 1851, page 1
See the letter of
August 5, 1851, below.Your obedient servant, J. APPLEGATE. Gen. Lane.
"The adjourned meeting of his friends in Indianapolis, held on Saturday
last, unanimously nominated Gen. Lane as a candidate for the Presidency
in 1852, subject to the decision of a national Democratic convention.
The General has not yet reached home from Oregon, but is expected
daily."--[Cincinnati
Enquirer.
This is quite a mistake. The General's friends are looking for him here every week. This is not all; they expect to elect him as the next Delegate to Congress to represent Oregon. There are now three candidates in the field. One has announced himself through a circular containing some 16 pages. In this it is made to appear that he has fought, bled and almost died for his people. The Western Star has placed at the head of its columns Judge Lancaster, who is said to be a very fit man for that post. The Oregonian has hoisted the name of Gen. Lane, in large capitals, and enters into his support with a hearty good will. Our bellicose neighbor has not hoisted his colors--the man who tells "my people" who to vote has not come along yet. Our neighbor professes to be a Democrat. The friends of Gen. Lane are asking themselves the question--how can he serve two masters? This is a question they have a right to ask, and they have a right to expect a candid answer. It is rather queer that the same mouth can blow both hot and cold at the same breath. General Lane has strength, and what is more of it, it lies along the bone and sinew of the country. The times are increasing in interest. Oregon Spectator, Oregon City, April 10, 1851, page 2 For
the Spectator.
The Administration and the Removal of Gov. Lane.
The article in
the Statesman, under
the above caption, is as unjust as it is injurious to His Excellency
Governor Gaines. The statements therein set forth are to this effect:
That Mr. Ewing of Ohio vindicated the action of the Administration of
President Taylor as to the propriety of the removal of Gen. Lane as
Governor of Oregon upon the ground that he had vilely and calumniously
slandered Gen. Taylor touching his official report upon the conduct of
the Indiana volunteers at the battle of Buena Vista. The question is
simply a question of veracity between Gen. Taylor and Gen. Lane. The
people of the United States were the jury to whom this question was
submitted by Gen. Lane. This verdict is recorded and is part of the
history of the age. The removal of Gov. Lane, therefore, was but the
executive act demanded by the verdict. No one ever questioned the right
of appeal from the decision of Gen. Taylor to the Great Tribunal of the
people. The people having decided, it is a reproach to the people to
liken the action of the executive to the enforcement of the "sedition
law."
The defense of Mr. Whitcomb, the Senator from Indiana, against what the editor of the Statesman terms "assaults" upon Gov. Lane, is just about as accurate in point of logic and in point of fact as the editor upon the conduct of President Taylor. Mr. Whitcomb declares, and the editor of the Statesman adopts the declaration, that Gen. Lane came to the Territory overland "in the garb of a western man with a small company of men, with a rifle in his hand at his own expense, an exile from his family." Whereas Gen. Gaines came "out at the government expense in a government vessel." The editor has stated these things which he and Mr. Whitcomb, his authority, call facts, and asks the verdict of public sentiment in the premises. Let the public decide--but let the jury have the facts before them. Gen. Lane did not come out alone--his son came with him to California and went into the mines to dig gold. Gov. Lane did not come hither at his own expense. He came under an escort of twenty-five soldiers commanded by an officer of the United States army, at an expense of not less than $50,000. Gov. Lane did not therefore come at his own expense. What now are the facts in regard to Gov. Gaines? He had permission to embark himself and family on a ship sent with supplies to the Pacific Coast--a ship whose destination and the expense of whose voyage was not in any manner affected by the transportation of Gov. Gaines. He received no favor from the government in this regard that has not frequently been accorded to citizens of the republic who held no official rank whatever. He paid for his traveling expenses as much, if not more, on the public vessel as he would have been required to pay on a merchant vessel. He came, in his own emphatic language, to become a citizen of Oregon. Embarked his fortunes and his family--and truly "burnt his ships behind him." He gave the strongest pledges known to men--all his pecuniary wealth, and that wealth which none but a father can truly estimate, his family. "Dearer than gold! Richer than Pluto's mine" as guarantees of his devotion to the rights and interests of his devotion to the rights and interests of the people of Oregon. What man among us did or could do more? Can Oregon ever repay him the sacrifice of those "dear ones" who fell by the wayside on their journey hither? And how does the character of the two men, presented for the public judgment in their conduct here, contrast? What has Gov. Lane done here? With what recollections or with what interests is the public mind of Oregon familiar, public or private? No breadth of imputation reaches the conduct of Gov. Gaines regarding the sacrifice of public interest to private purposes. We impute no neglect of duty to Gen. Lane, but we demand that a just statement of facts shall be presented to the people if the decision of the people is to be invoked as to the conduct and character of the late and present executive of Oregon. JUSTICE.
Oregon
Spectator, Oregon
City, April 10, 1851, page 1 See the Statesman's reply to this letter, below.The Removal of Gen. Lane.
A correspondent of the last Spectator,
who
signs himself "Justice," and whose signature contains all the justice
comprised in his article, complains that our remarks in the first
number of the Statesman
upon
the removal of ex-Governor Lane, and the reasons therefor, as given by
Mr. Ewing, were "unjust and injurious to his excellency Gov. Gaines."
The article has a semi-official air about it, and was probably written
"by authority."
After making proclamation of the "injustice" and "injury" to Gov. Gaines, without stopping to establish it, the writer proceeds to the statements of Generals Taylor and Lane respecting the conduct of the Indiana volunteers at the battle of Buena Vista. He says-- "The question is simply a question of veracity between Gen. Taylor and Gen. Lane. The people of the United States were the jury to whom this question was submitted by Gen. Lane. This verdict is recorded, and is a part of the history of the age. The removal of Gov. Lane therefore was but the executive act demanded by the verdict." The "verdict" referred to as being "a part of the history of the age," can be nothing else than the result of the Presidential election of 1848. We were not before aware that this "question of veracity" was an issue, either local or general, in that campaign, but if this vindicator of Gen. Taylor and Gov. Gaines is disposed to have it so, we will meet him upon his own ground. If it was an issue at all, it was confined to the state of Indiana, the people of which were immediately interested in the decision, and the "verdict" of that state is anything but flattering to Gen. Taylor. Its vote was cast against him by an unprecedentedly large majority, and if, as "Justice" asserts, that vote involved the question of veracity, it acquitted Gen. Lane and fastened the charge of falsehood upon Gen. Taylor. This is his own "accurate logic and fact," and he has no right to complain of the inference. When "Justice" asserts that "the removal of Gen. Lane was demanded by the verdict" of the people, does he really believe that if that question had at any time been submitted to the people of the United States, it would have been decided against Gov. Lane? Would the Democratic divisions which gave Gen. Taylor New York and Pennsylvania, and elected him, have existed? Or would the thousands of Democrats who there and everywhere supported him have been united as one man against the ruthless act of proscription? If "Justice" was in the States when this removal was announced (and we doubt not he was), he knows that it received the decided condemnation of the public press and popular voice. And if he has had authentic information from there since, he must be well assured that the United States Senate would have expressed their disapprobation of the act by the rejection of his successor, had not Gov. Lane's resignation been received before they were called upon to act in the matter, and had not that successor been far on his way to Oregon. But Mr. Ewing says Gen. Lane was removed for his "vileness of abuse" and "gross calumny and slanders" of General Taylor, and that "abuse," "calumny" and "slander" consisted in his vindication of the bravery of his soldiers, and his complaint that Gen. Taylor had done them injustice in the official report of the battle of Buena Vista. For this he was removed by a man who had "no friends to reward, and no enemies to punish." According to the confession of one of the then cabinet officers, that removal was based upon personal prejudice and hatred. By the act President Taylor disgraced his exalted position, and forfeited his character for high-mindedness and generosity. It was in the genuine spirit of the old sedition law of John Adams' "reign," and received, as it merited, the unmistakable condemnation of the people. "Justice" finally comes to the defense of Gov. Gaines, and asserts that he came out here without expense to the government, and that "he received no favor that has not frequently been accorded to citizens of the Republic who held no official rank," while Gen. Lane came out, accompanied by his son, who went to California to dig gold, under and escort of twenty-five soldiers, and "at an expense of not less than $50,000." As "Justice" has placed the two men and their manner of transit to this country in contrast, he will not complain if we examine the facts. Gov. Gaines came here in a government vessel, at the government expense. This "Justice" will not deny. Nor would we be understood to say that censure attaches to Gov. Gaines for so doing. But does "Justice," as he states, know of a single instance where "persons who held no official rank whatever" have been transported thousands of miles with their families, freight &c. at the public expense, and if so, will he cite as to it. It may have been done by the "Galphin" administration, but we question if it ever was by any other. Gov. Lane came here under an escort of twenty-five soldiers, as "Justice" asserts. But those soldiers were intended to remain permanently in Oregon, and would have come here had they not escorted him. He purchased animals for himself and son, and the provision necessary for the trip, and paid for them out of his own private fund. And from the same fund was also paid all their personal expenses. The only favor they received from government was the use of one wagon. So that, with that trifling expedition, their passage here cost the government not one dollar. And had not Governor Lane's son, coming here at his own expense, the same right to "dig gold" or pursue any avocation his interest or fancy dictated, that any other citizen had? Then why this ungenerous insinuation of "Justice" that he came here at the public expense to pursue his private interests? Would he consider such insinuations, even if based upon fact, fair in the case of the present incumbent? And is he disposed to invite inquiry and contrast in this particular? But whatever excuses "Justice" may make for those misrepresentations, we do not see how he can escape the imputation of willful falsehood in asserting that Gov. Lane came here at an expense of not less than $50,000. How could that sum have possibly been expended if the troops had come here expressly to escort him? If he will make a calculation he will see that the pay of the soldiers and men could not well have exceeded $2,000. That leaves "not less" than $48,000 to pay the salary of the officer who commanded, and the expense of the outfit. A pretty large margin, but no larger than this writer uses in all his statements. He seems to think that the employment of truth is not at all important when speaking of a political opponent. Oregon Statesman, Oregon City, April 18, 1851, page 2 Communication.
For
the Spectator.
Mr. Editor:
Considerable has been said of late in the newspapers in relation to "removals from office," and if you will give publicity to the subjoined extract of a "Speech of Mr. Ewing of Ohio," delivered in the United States Senate upon that subject, January 7, 1851, you will probably confer a favor upon the citizens of Oregon. Although some speeches are very plenty here, such, I apprehend, is not the case of Senator Ewing's speech: "This general fact I mentioned, and I stated it the other day from memory, and I remembered, too, that there had been complaints against General Lane by individuals from Oregon, who were entitled to credit, which I designated as the most reliable sources. I know that the Senator from Indiana says, with respect to the alleged complaints against General Lane, that he has searched the Department and can find nothing of the kind. He goes into the curious exposition of the imaginary contest between the Departments for power and patronage, by way of showing that he had found the proper place to make search for papers, if there were any, and that he had found nothing. Where he searched, in the State Department, he could of course find nothing, and he certainly ought to have known it. It was matter that belonged to the Indian Bureau of the Home Department, and he had but to go there and find it. "Mr. Whitcomb. That is the very place to which I did go. "Mr. Ewing. I referred to the Senator from Indiana, not now in his seat (Mr. Bright), who says that he searched in the Department of State and found nothing. He was truly fortunate, for, if he had found something, perhaps it might have interfered with the beauty and perfection of his speech, especially that part of it in which he gives vent to his virtuous indignation for my unfounded aspersions of the official character of General Lane. The Senator saw fit to say he wished it understood that the statements made by me with respect to those complaints rested on the authority of my assertion alone. "Well, suppose it did rest there; is not the statement of a Senator in his place sufficient authority for a fact within his knowledge? It used to be so when I was a member of this body some years ago. The Senator from Indiana is better able than I am to determine how it is now. But that Senator cannot have his wish; the fact does not rest on the statement of the Senator from Ohio, but is also sustained by a document which I have before me. The Senator demands, however, specifications, and he has a right to them. He requires me to designate what were these complaints, and I will do it. The first charge was that General Lane did not exert himself as he might and ought to have done to separate the Indians from the white population, and to prevent them from camping in the towns, where they became, from their gross habits, offensive to decency. Whether this charge be true or false I know not, but it was vouched by the Delegate from Oregon in two letters, which I now have before me, subject to the inspection of the Senator from Indiana, whenever he chooses to examine them. The first is as follows: "'Washington,
February 6, 1850.
"'Sir: This morning I had a conversation with Mr. Brown, Commissioner
of Indian Affairs, relative to the Indians located in Linn City by
Governor Lane, and concerning which I had an interview with you last
night. He, like yourself, heartily concurs in their removal from the
limits of the town. He said it would be proper that it should be stated
in the order to the Governor that the removal was in no way to affect
any title said Indians might have to the lands. To this I very
willingly consented. Now, the town there was laid off out of a part of
two claims, the Linn City part by Robert Moore, and the Multnomah City
part by Hugh Burns. I am aware that the Indians will not be removed
unless the order is peremptory and unequivocal. I have to desire you,
therefore, to cause an order to be issued to Joseph Lane, Governor of
Oregon Territory, or to his successor in said office, or whoever may be
discharging the official duties of Governor and Superintendent of
Indian Affairs when said order shall reach the seat of government of
said Territory, to cause all Indians now camping or living within the
towns of Linn City or Multnomah City, as laid off in lots by Robert
Moore and Hugh Burns, in Oregon Territory, at the Falls of the
Willamette River, to be removed outside the limits of said towns and
not to allow the same to return within said limits for the purpose of
camping and dwelling."'I have been thus specific because I believe your order should be so to the letter to ensure obedience. I should have added, provided the order and removal consequent thereon shall in no way affect any title which said Indians may have to the lands included within the limits of said towns. "'Let me assure you, sir, that such an order will be greeted by the people of said towns or villages with gratitude, and the modesty of our women not a little relieved by its prompt execution. "'I would suggest that your order go as soon as possible, and if you will cause me to be furnished with a duplicate, that I may inform the people, in case the order should not be obeyed, that the Department has desired otherwise, you will oblige me. "'I have the honor to be, sir, with high consideration, yours, truly, "'SAM. R. THURSTON,
"'Hon. Thomas Ewing, Secretary of the Interior.'"The second letter I will not read. It refers to and enforces the same charges. "Now, I wish it understood that I affirm nothing and know nothing of the facts stated in these letters, except that I know they come from the Delegate from Oregon, who is of course entitled to attention and respect in all things which he states touching the interests of the people of that Territory. Whether he represents the case truly or not, T cannot determine, and I assume no responsibility concerning it. "The next charge is that General Lane not only did not prevent the British Hudson's Bay Company from keeping up trading establishments in the Indian territory of the United States in Oregon, but that he encouraged, and patronized, and maintained them there, to the injury of the rights of American citizens. One paper goes further, and says that he purchased, or directed to be purchased, from the Hudson's Bay Company, blankets in considerable quantity, and then suffered that company to distribute them as presents from themselves to the Indians. I cannot say that this is true, but it is the charge, presented by the Delegate from Oregon, certified to and sustained by the Chief Justice of Oregon, both Democrats, and both supposed to be responsible men. These charges come, then, as I said, from authentic and reliable sources. "Mr. Dodge, of Iowa. Will the Senator from Ohio allow me to make an inquiry? "Mr. Ewing. Yes, sir, I yield to an inquiry. "Mr. Dodge. Were these charges, which the Senator asserts were made, before the removal of General Lane? "Mr. Ewing. They were not, and I did not say they were--nothing of that kind. Being called on suddenly, the other day, touching the official conduct of General Lane, I threw out my impression at the moment as to what had been objected against him, without stating the time when the charges were made. These charges, however, were made orally long before the papers which I have produced bear date, for I had frequent conversations with the Delegate on the subject, and he pressed the alleged grievances of his people strongly upon me long before he presented them in writing. I produce them now only to sustain my own statement of fact, indirectly questioned by the Senator from Indiana (Mr. Bright), not to sustain the removal of Governor Lane, which, as I find on examination, rests on other and very different grounds. "It is but fair that I should say that the specifications in the last charge, namely, that the blankets purchased of the Hudson's Bay Company for the Indians were distributed by the servants of that company as presents from them, upon investigation, proves to be unfounded. I have looked at the evidence taken upon the spot, which disproves it. But the general charge which I have referred to above is sustained--namely, that he suffered the Hudson's Bay Company to trade with the Indians in Oregon, and it is further shown, by Governor Lane's own vouchers, that he bought from houses of that company, at some five or six places in the Territory, sundry articles of merchandise for the Indians." Thus it will be seen that Mr. Thurston has been representing at Washington that Indians had been "LOCATED in Linn City by Gov. Lane," when it was known to him (Thurston) that the houses of the Linn City or Fall Indians were fired and burned down in their absence, and that Gov. Lane as Superintendent of Indian Affairs only allowed them to rebuild upon and occupy the site of their former residence, as he felt it his duty to do. I have no doubt but that the good people of Linn City would be very glad if the Indians were removed, but I trust that no one man in Linn or Multnomah cities will commend our sustain Mr. Thurston in his departures from truth. The allegation that "one paper goes further, and says he has purchased, or directed to be purchased, from the Hudson's Bay Company blankets in considerable quantity, and then suffered that company to distribute them as presents from themselves to the Indians" refers to the 80 blankets purchased by the Hudson's Bay Company and paid to the Indians as a reward for bringing in the murderers of Wallace. The fact that the blankets were bought at the company's store at the Sound, where there was no American store, and at a time when, perhaps the amount of blankets could not be bought in all the American stores in the Territory, would surprise no one here, but persons unacquainted with the affairs of Oregon might suppose that American merchants had been passed by with a view of favoring a foreign company. The truth is that Gov. Lane did not suffer the Hudson's Bay Company to distribute those blankets "as presents from themselves to the Indians." Again the truth is that the Indian agent purchased the blankets, and not Gov. Lane. And again, the truth is that the blankets were delivered to the Indians by the U.S.A. captain of artillery stationed in the neighborhood of the Sound, and not by the H.B. Company or any of its agents or servants. This charge has been investigated by the governor, and Senator Ewing says, "I have looked at the evidence taken upon the spot, which disproves it." It must have been extremely mortifying and painful to Mr. Thurston that a Whig Senator, who was attempting to justify the removal of Gov. Lane, felt constrained to say "It is not fair that I should say that the specifications in the last charge, namely, that the blankets purchased by the Hudson's Bay Company for the Indians were distributed by the servants of the company as presents from them, upon investigation, proves to be unfounded," publicly acknowledging the falsity of one of the main charges of his own witness. If Mr. Thurston is the best man in Oregon, he should be re-elected. AARON E. WAIT.
Oregon
Spectator, Oregon
City, April 24, 1851, page 2We have been requested by Gen. Joseph Lane to announce him as a candidate for Delegate to the next Congress. Oregon Spectator, Oregon City, May 1, 1851, page 2 General Lane.
On Monday evening last many of our citizens had the pleasure of
greeting the arrival of Gen. Lane. His arrival had been anxiously
looked for and expected
for several weeks
past by his numerous friends. It was not our lot to have had a previous
acquaintance with the General. Upon receiving a grip of his hand
(hardened by labor) and after witnessing an exhibition of his
affableness, we could not help thinking that he is truly the
whole-souled man that his friends had previously represented him to us.
----
It will be seen by today's paper that
Gen. Lane is
regularly announced as a candidate for Delegate to Congress for this
Territory. We predict that the General will have a clear field; though
we do not intend to make the Spectator
a party political paper, we cannot deny, however, that we would be much
gratified to see the Territory so ably and honorably represented. And
though we differ, individually, with the brave old veteran in politics,
yet we would spurn to deny our support to any gentleman merely because
we happened to have some personal differences. We go for the interest
of our whole country and will give our support to the man that we think
will best advance that interest.We say the General has a clear field. It was expected that our much-esteemed, talented friend and neighbor, the lamented Samuel R. Thurston, who so ably represented the Territory for the last two sessions in Congress, would have been a candidate in opposition to Gen. Lane, but Providence has seen fit to deny the country and its citizens the benefits of his labors and talents. It becomes us now to look around and select from amongst our other great, talented and valuable citizens to find someone to fill his place in our national councils. Gen. Lane seems to be the man. Oregon Spectator, Oregon City, May 1, 1851, page 2 JO. LANE
Will address his fellow citizens of Oregon City and vicinity today at 3
o'clock p.m., at the Main Street House.
Oregon Spectator, Oregon City, May 1, 1851, page 3 OUR CANDIDATE FOR CONGRESS.
We raise today
the name of GEN. JOSEPH LANE for Congress, and take down that of Judge
Lancaster's by his request, who declines in favor of his personal and
political friend Gen. Lane. Judge Lancaster by this patriotic course
has done honor to his noble heart, which will be fully appreciated by
the people of Oregon.
General Lane has received the formal nomination of a public meeting in Yamhill County, and believing him to be the people's choice--we therefore acting upon the platform of Jeffersonian democracy--which we adopted at our commencement--we go in for General Lane heartily, and shall give him all the support in our power. We believe him deserving, and well qualified to fill this most important place--and we know that he will wear his honors meekly, and labor hard with heart and hands for Oregon's growing interests. General Lane is the people's man--a farmer by occupation, a wise and discreet legislator from experience, a soldier from patriotism, and a most accomplished and successful general from bravery and noble daring, as the history of many a hard-fought battlefield in Mexico bears ample proof. And we having commenced the first Democratic newspaper in Oregon, it is with pride that we are now enabled to be the first Democratic paper to run up that man's name who universally receives the honor of the "Marion" of the Mexican War. We are proud to inscribe the name of Joseph Lane upon our banner and nobly defend it free from stain or blemish. Gen. Lane is a noble champion of honesty, patriotism and fidelity, and we are most happy to announce his name and honestly advocate his cause--having confidence to believe that our friends will approve our course and unite with us in bestowing deserved honor upon him [to] whom it is due. We go in for honest JO. LANE, "live or die, sink or swim, survive or perish." Western Star, Milwaukie,
May 1,
1851, page 2
Gen. Lane in the Field.
It
will be seen by the following notice that Gen. Lane proposes to canvass
the Territory previous to the election. He had made up his mind to run
for Congress before the news of the death of Mr. Thurston was received
in Oregon, and had notified his friends to that effect. We are
authorized to say [that] the particular object of Gov. Lane in
canvassing the Territory is to become well acquainted with the wants of
the people and the interests of Oregon, having been absent for some
time. We are not aware that there will be any other candidate in the
field; therefore, the election of General Lane is almost certain.
Gen. Lane met his friends in Oregon City on Thursday, at Milwaukie yesterday, and will be in Portland today. He will also be at the following places at the time specified: Harrison Wright's, Monday, 5th inst., 2 p.m Salem, Tuesday, 6th inst. at 3 p.m. Syracuse, Santiam, Wednesday, 7th, 1 p.m. Jacob Speere's, Lane Co., Thursday, 8th inst., at 3 o'clock p.m. E. Bristow's, Friday, 9th, at 2 p.m. Richardson's Ferry, Long Tom, Butte Co., Monday, 12th, 1 p.m. Marysville, Tuesday, 13th, at 1 p.m. Leggett's, Forks of Luckiamute, Polk Co., Wednesday, May 15, 2 p.m. Nesmith's Mills, Thursday, 15th, 10 a.m. Cincinnati, Polk Co., Friday, 16th, 1 p.m. Lafayette, Saturday, 17th, 2 p.m. Hillsborough, Monday, 19th, 1 p.m. Vancouver, Wednesday, 21st, 1 p.m. St. Helen's, Thursday, 22nd, at 1 p.m. Astoria, Saturday, 24th, 1 p.m. Lexington, Clatsop Co., Monday, 26th, 1 p.m. Oregonian, Portland, May 3, 1851, page 2 We this week place at our masthead the name of Gen. Joseph Lane as the people's candidate for Congress. We recognize in the General marked characteristics: firmness, independence, honesty of purpose, a well-balanced and discriminating mind; just such points as a man holding an office of this kind should possess. It was our good fortune to have listened to his speech, delivered in this place on Thursday of last week. He says he is an out-and-out Democrat; he was brought up in that school, but he can see no reason why this Territory should be distracted by party politics. The Delegate in Congress has no vote--we are one people--we have one common interest, and that should be uppermost in the minds of both Whigs and Democrats. The General, it seems, had made up his mind to run for Congress previous to his arrival here, thus showing that he would not be the tool of a party. As an independent, honest and decided man, we give him our support, with the consciousness that the wants and interests of the country will be well cared for and the mantle of power will not be inappropriately placed. Oregon Spectator, Oregon City, May 8, 1851, page 2 The intelligence from the mines is rather encouraging than otherwise. Quite a large number have returned from the mines, or, rather, gave up the trip before they arrived there, having become disheartened at the bad state of the roads, and the unsettled weather that caused them. Gen. Lane reports rather favorably of the mines. He says that the most of the miners, by proper exertion, can make from $6 to $12 per day. There are some instances where men do much better. The General is of opinion that the mines in Oregon and California, the Shasta and Klamath diggings, will pay well for the next fifty years. There is a large scope of country in that part of Oregon that is decidedly rich. But the great obstacle in the way is the want of protection going there in the Rogue River country, those Indians having sworn eternal hostility to the whites. Several persons have been brutally murdered lately by the savages near what is generally known as the Umpqua Canyon. The General thinks government should by all means establish a garrison in that country, to protect persons going to and returning from the mines. It appears to be a well-conceded fact that up through the Willamette Valley is far the most preferable route to go to the mines, and that eventually the greater part of the supplies will seek this channel. The location of the Territorial road to the Umpqua, and the improvement of the small streams by bridging, etc., will remove many of the difficulties that are now in the way. This portion of Oregon is well represented in the mines. We hope they may all be successful, and live to return loaded down with the "root of evil." Oregon Spectator, Oregon City, May 8, 1851, page 2 The Western Star, with the consent of Judge Lancaster, has taken down that gentleman's name and hoisted the name of the old war horse, Gen. Joseph Lane, at its masthead. The General is stumping the Territory. He spoke in this city on last Thursday evening, in Milwaukie on Friday, and in Portland on Saturday. The General having doffed his mining suit and brushed up, he may now be said to be himself again. He had a large and attentive audience when he spoke here. The Western Star goes for Gen. Lane entire, as the following will show: "General Lane is the people's man--a farmer by occupation, a wise and discreet legislator from experience, a soldier from patriotism, and a most accomplished and successful general from bravery and noble daring, as the history of many a hard-fought battle in Mexico bears ample proof. And we, having commenced the first Democratic newspaper in Oregon, it is with pride that we are now enabled to be the first Democratic paper to run up that man's name who universally receives the honor of the 'Marion' of the Mexican War. We are proud to inscribe the name of Joseph Lane upon our banner and nobly defend it free from stain or blemish. Gen. Lane is a noble champion of honesty, patriotism and fidelity, and we are most happy to announce his name and honestly advocate his cause--having confidence to believe that our friends will approve our course, and unite with us in bestowing deserved honor upon him whom it is due. We go in for honest JO. LANE, 'live or die, sink or swim, survive or perish.'" Oregon Spectator, Oregon City, May 8, 1851, page 2 GENERAL LANE.
This noble old
veteran of the West, having recently returned from the Oregon mining
districts, and being brought out for Congress, is now on a tour,
addressing the people in different parts of the Territory upon subjects
of public interest--and for the better understanding of the wishes of
the people in different sections of the country.
On Friday evening, May 2nd, the citizens of this place and vicinity convened at Union Hall and organized by appointing proper officers and a committee to wait on General Lane and invite him to the hall. He was accordingly ushered into the hall and introduced to the chairman, and by the chairman introduced to the meeting, when General Lane proceeded to address a full house upon public affairs generally. Gen. Lane spoke of the immense resources of the Territory, giving a flattering account of the Oregon gold mining districts, stating them to be healthy and furnishing rich placers for years to come. Miners were averaging from $8 to $10 per day when he left. He advised those who were doing well to remain at home and cultivate their farms. He spoke of the importance of a military station in the Umpqua Valley, to protect those who were passing to and from the mines from Indian depredations. He was opposed to the removal of the Oregon Regiment of Mounted Riflemen--and spoke of the land law as being a very good one, but if elected to Congress he would endeavor to get it amended so as to provide for such as were not included in the bill as it now is. He said that if elected he would faithfully represent all sections of the Territory and their varied interests. He said that Oregon was his home and always should be, and that as soon as practicable he should bring his whole family to Oregon. His opinion was that Oregon would become a state within two years--and he anticipated that Oregon would be one of the most flourishing states in the Union, and her destiny was onward. His whole theme was for Oregon--and we think he can do more to advance her interests than any other man in the Territory. We were extremely well pleased with the man--and it gave us pleasure to shake the hand that had been hardened by honest toil. And when we considered how that hand had nobly drawn the sword of his country in defense of her honor during a whole war, and how many laurels clustered round the head of the brave old hero, our feeling of love for him was enhanced when every act and word showed him to be one of the noblest works of God, an honest man. Gen. Lane addressed the people at Portland on Saturday evening last, and is now on his way up the Willamette Valley, where he will address the citizens at different points. Western Star, Milwaukie, May 8, 1851, page 2 Our neighbor thinks he has satisfied the people at Salem that Gen. Lane had not intended to run as Delegate to Congress previous to hearing of Mr. Thurston's death. He may succeed in making persons at a distance think so who were not present when he addressed the people in this city, but everyone present knows that the reverse of what our neighbor says is the fact. He came out for Gen. Lane in his last--he is truly the eleventh hour man. He no doubt thought it was better late than never. Bro. Waterman, like a man, came to the work at once. Oregon Spectator, Oregon City, May 15, 1851, page 2 OUR NEXT DELEGATE.
As the time for the election approaches, matters of political interest
are discussed, and men and measures are freely commented upon, with all
that freedom which is their especial privilege and guarantee by our
republican institutions. We love those institutions which give all free
men, whether high or low, rich or poor, the priceless privilege of
thinking and voting as they think best--"without fear or favor of any
man"--"unawed by influence, and unbribed by gain." We always repose the
greatest confidence in the people, the hardy yeomanry, that pride and
strength of every state and government. And let us ask who can they
confide more trustingly in than he who is a yeoman, and earns the bread
for himself and family "by the sweat of his brow," and whose calloused
hands and sunburnt face gives truthful evidence that he is a true
republican? None, of course. Who among the people in Oregon stands out
as that man we have described? GENERAL JO LANE, responds the yeomanry.
We require a Delegate who will represent Oregon, the whole
of it; one who has ascended her remotest hills and traveled her
extensive valleys and knows the whole Territory--its wants, and its
resources. Who has done this but LANE, and who so well prepared to give
the information required at a Delegate's hand? We want a man of known
and acknowledged character, both here and at home. Who so well answers
this requirement as GEN. LANE? His character is well respected
throughout the broad Union; his fame belongs to the Nation, and his
name is inscribed upon her scroll of fame, along with those who have
won unfading laurels in her defense. Is there another man in Oregon
whose position, worth and knowledge combined can procure for us the
amount of consideration in Congress that GENERAL LANE can? If there be
one, we have yet to learn his name. We consider it fortunate for Oregon
that LANE has consented to be a candidate--and that no one will ever
have a reason to regret voting for an honest, deserving man like him.
We understand that Dr. Wm. H. Willson, of Salem, has come out as a candidate to run against General Lane, and is going to canvass the country for Delegate. Dr. Willson we only know from reputation, and have formed a very favorable opinion of him, as a man--but we never heard until quite lately that he had aspirations for Congress. It will be no dishonor for him to be beaten by General Lane--and we presume that Lane will be just as well prepared for opposition as he was at Buena Vista. There is a saying that "there is no honor in victory where there is no opposition," and for that reason have no serious objection to a little opposition, but we cannot for a moment give any countenance to the proceeding of a professional Democrat like Dr. Willson, if his intent be to defeat General Lane. We are satisfied with Lane; we take pride in supporting so deserving a man, and if every fifth man in the country comes out against him, we will stand by him; we will "never surrender," and if vanquished we'll spike the cannon. We can see no cause for Democrats to get up opposition--and can foresee bad results which will naturally grow out of such a course. The Whigs lose no political strength by supporting Lane for Delegate, as he has no vote in Congress--and both Whig and Democrat in Oregon will be equal participators in every measure he brings about for Oregon's advancement. We cannot see as there is to be any newspaper opposition, as the four papers in Oregon are all committed for General Lane, and have his name at their head. If any of them wish they were free, and now regret their committal, we are not of that number; we are committed just where we want to be and could not be induced to change our position on any account whatever. We are confident that Jo Lane will get one vote, if we are able to get to the polls on the first Monday of June. Western Star, Milwaukie, May 22, 1851, page 2 Oregon City May the
26, 1851
Genl. PalmerDear Sir, I have just returned from Astoria, where I found all right. Clatsop will give over one hundred and fifty votes & not more than six votes against me. Lewis County will give me one hundred fifty votes, Clackamas two hundred against fifty; in Washington I will not lose thirty votes. In Marion I think I will divide the vote and also in Linn. Lane County I can't tell anything about; in Umpqua I shall get all the votes or nearly so; in Yamhill you will know better than I do how the vote will be. I have strong faith in old Yamhill. She will be right side up; so says Joel Perkins, who is down here at this time. Now, sir, let me tell you what I regret escaped my memory while speaking at Lafayette, that is that I will request Congress not only to make an additional appropriation for the defraying [of] the expense of the Cayuse War but also ask that each and every officer, noncommissioned officer, musician and private who served in that war be allowed the same bounty of land that other soldiers who have served their country are entitled to under the law of Congress And furthermore let me tell you that I have no doubt but it will be done. I pledge myself to try hard to get [it] done. Leave nothing undone that can be honorably done to help me; see my friends and talk for me all you can. I want to beat Wilson badly. I will do good for this Territory and no mistake. Read as much of this letter as you please on day of election. With great respect
Letter,
Joseph Lane to Palmer, Oregon Historical Society Research Library Mss.
114, folder 1/18I am, sir, your obt. servt. Jo. Lane For
the Spectator.
Astoria, O.T., June
8, 1851.
Mr. Schneely:I suppose you have had communicated to you the result of the election in Clatsop County, so I need not repeat it. The election went off finely at this place, no event occurring to mar the good feeling always existing here. Everybody was glad to have an opportunity to throw in a vote for old Jo.--the Lane that has no turn in him. At eleven o'clock, a.m., the troops at this point paraded under the banner which had been painted for the occasion by one of the servants, and which certainly looked splendid. Upon the banner was the following: RALLY
TO
Oregon
Spectator, Oregon
City, July 3, 1851, page 2THE RESCUE! ---- Candidate for Delegate, JO. LANE, OF BUENA VISTA AND HUAMANTLA. ---- Candidate for Representative, J. A. ANDERSON, ---- FAUGH A "BALLAGH"! ---- TRUE BLUE NEVER FAILS!
Forming a
procession, they marched to the polls, where each man deposited his
vote, many of them voting for the first time in their lives. A more
orderly set of men on the day of an election it would be difficult to
find, and I doubt if ever they will have the fortune to vote for a
better man that that same old Jo. Lane, for a more honest or more
capable man I am well convinced does not exist in Oregon. Success to
him.
Yours,
T. J. E.
Gen. Lane passed here [Yoncalla] last week en route to the mines. During his absence from the mines, one of his Indian miners has been murdered, and others driven off. The unfortunate Indian was shot by--it is supposed Oregon men (after being so frightened so that he was speechless)--simply because he would not speak. There are several reports of the matter in circulation--all of which agree that it was an unprovoked attack on the Indian. "Arrival of Gov. Gaines," Oregon Statesman, Oregon City, July 4, 1851, page 2 GEN. LANE arrived in this city last Thursday evening from the mines and the Indian country. He intends to leave for Washington on the first steamer out. Several interesting letters from him will be found in another column. Oregon Statesman, Oregon City, July 22, 1851, page 2 GEN. LANE arrived in this city on Thursday evening last, direct from the Rogue River country. He leaves here tomorrow on the mail steamer for the States. We wish the brave old soldier a safe journey. When the General arrives in Washington and lays the true state of affairs before the government, we feel assured that justice will be done to the people of Oregon. Oregon Spectator, Oregon City, July 22, 1851, page 2 GEN. LANE left in the steamer Willamette, on Thursday morning for the States, and to take his seat in Congress at its assembling, as Representative of Oregon. The Gen. was in good health and fine spirits. He informed us he should proceed at once to Washington for the purpose of making such representations to the President as would secure a military force sufficient to protect our citizens from further hostilities from the Indians. We shall look with confidence for an able and efficient representation in the person of Gen. Lane. Oregonian, Portland, July 26, 1851, page 2 Gen. Lane was met at the landing at Astoria, on his way to Washington, by a procession of the citizens, and addressed in their behalf by John A. Anderson, Esq. He replied in a short and appropriate speech. Oregon Statesman, Oregon City, July 29, 1851, page 3 ARRIVAL OF THE COLUMBIA.--By the arrival last evening of the steamship Columbia, Captain Leroy, from Oregon, we are indebted to the purser for the ship's memoranda, a list of her passengers, and a file of papers down to the 22nd inst. . . . Among those who have arrived we notice the name of Gen. Lane. "Later from Oregon," Daily Alta California, San Francisco, July 30, 1851, page 2 Correspondence
of the Times.
RECEPTION OF GEN. LANE.
Oregon
Weekly Times, Portland, July 31, 1851, page 2Astoria, July 25,
1851.
I cannot suppress the inclination to group a little picture which I had
the pleasure to look upon this morning, upon this classic ground of
Astoria. Would that I had the classic
ability to inspire the emotions which thrilled every heart that was
present. We were honored on our trip down from Portland with General
Lane as a passenger, on his way to the embraces of his family and
friends on the beautiful Ohio. Arriving late in the afternoon at
Astoria, the General remained on board during the night. Early in the
morning, after breakfast, a deputation from the village came on board,
and invited the old hero
to
go on shore. The object was explained to the passengers on board, and
all went ashore, ladies and gentlemen, to witness the ceremony. After
the debarking of passengers, General Lane, under the escort of the
deputation and a number of gentlemen, was brought to the wharf, upon
reaching which the "big gun" announced in tones of thunder "that a man
was there, whom the people delighted to honor." The General was
conducted to the head of the wharf, where the entire population had
congregated to meet him. Arriving upon the stand, his name was
distinctly announced to the audience by General Adair, the Collector of
the Port, after which immediately Mr. Anderson, a young lawyer of the
place, stepped forward and delivered one of the most beautifully
thrilling and appropriate salutatories I ever listened to upon any
similar occasion.When the speaker alluded to the recent death of the gallant Stuart, on Rogue River, in the subsequent skirmishing with which tribe of Indians the General participated, I thought I saw the noble old soldier's heart "overflooded, and his undimmed eye swam with a tear of sorrow for the gallant dead." The General responded, most appropriately, and with three cheers for General Lane the crowd came forward, and every man, woman and child took a cordial shake of the old warrior's hand, wishing him pleasant seas and prosperous gales to waft him to the "loved ones," so long bereft of his society. The scene altogether was a most imposing one to me. There was no little formality, everything that was done appeared so impromptu. No formal resolutions or set speeches, and above all there was such a modest acquiescence in the compliments and honors paid on the part of the noble old hero himself, that I felt like embracing him. I have given you my thoughts just as they occurred. If I should never revisit Oregon, I shall never cease to love her, because her hardy sires and sons have delighted to honor Jo, the honest old hero, who is the very impersonification of the poet's idea-- "An honest man is the noblest work of God." SOJOURNER.
DEPARTURE OF GEN. LANE.
Oregon
Weekly Times, Portland, July 31, 1851, page 2
Gen. Lane left here on the morning of the 25th for the States. He
informed us it was his intention to proceed at once to Washington, and
make a representation of our various interests and wants to the
government there--so that the President would be able to call the
attention of Congress to them in his annual message next December. He
then intends visiting his family in Indiana, previous to the assembling
of Congress, and will bring them with him on his return to Oregon. The
General was in most excellent health and spirits. He leaves with the
undivided confidence of the people, and their prayers and their
sympathies attend him.
But few men of America occupy a more dignified and desirable position than General Lane does at this time. He is a self-made man--and emphatically the people's man. In April 1846, at his country's call, he left his home for the battle fields of Mexico, where he won unfading laurels as a consummate general and tactician. Scarce had he returned from the scene of his military glory before his services were required by his country as a civilian, as Governor of Oregon, and at three days' notice he was on his way to Oregon over mountains, through trackless snows of winter, and swimming the icy waters that intercepted his path. Leaving the States late in the season of '48 he arrived in Oregon and issued his proclamation on the 3rd of March 1849. He organized the Territorial Government, bringing order out of chaos, made treaties with the Indians, and in all things labored hard for the advancement of Oregon. Having been removed from his office, he never murmured, but like a true republican he turned his attention to retrieving his pecuniary affairs, and worked the golden mines of California and Oregon long and hard. In May last he returned, and at the solicitation of the people he consented to become a candidate for Delegate, to which office he was elected in June with but little opposition. Since then his services have been volunteered in whipping the Indians into submission at Rogue River--and he has now gone to represent Oregon in the councils of the nation. God speed him a safe and pleasant journey. Oregon
City, July
26, 1851.
Editor Spectator:Sir--Your paper of July 22nd is before me, and in it I notice a communication purporting to come from the pen of one of the deserters from the Rifle Regiment in the winter of '49 and '50, containing some very green slanders upon the character of Jesse Applegate, Esq. I regret that I have not time to enter into a full history of the case and to wholly refute this most base attack. To those who know Mr. Applegate any denial of these charges is unnecessary, but persons unacquainted with him may be led to believe them if no reply is made. From the article alluded to, I quote as follows: "A party of these men, numbering 97, arrived at Mr. Applegate's in the beginning of March 1850, and remained there some fourteen days, during which time they expended with him, in the purchase of cattle and other necessaries, something over six hundred and fifty dollars. In addition to this they split him over four thousand rails and eight hundred clapboards, to be used in the improvement of his claim, for which nothing was asked, and he had not the liberality to offer a single cent of compensation. This took place on the party's progress on the route to California. On the return of the same men in a short time after, with Gov. Lane and Col. Loring, he did endeavor to detain and entice several of them to run away the second time, offering to conceal and furnish them with provisions and other necessaries until such time as all search for them might be discontinued, and then to assist them on their route to California." Being myself a member of Gov. Lane's party, I had an opportunity of knowing something about the matter in question, and know these charges to be wholly, totally and outrageously false. The deserters arrived in the Umpqua as stated, in March 1850, and immediately applied to Mr. Applegate to purchase beef, &c., at the same time plainly intimating that if he did not see fit to sell they would take what they wanted by force. He was alone and unprotected, and choosing the least of two evils he preferred to sell his cattle rather than be robbed of them. A portion of the men, however, had neither money nor provisions, and by reason of the inclemency of the weather were compelled to remain. To these Mr. Applegate (being compelled to feed them) proposed that they should work while they remained in the neighborhood, and receive a fair compensation for their labor. They accepted his proposition, and he and the other settlers employed them in making rails, for which they were paid $1 per hundred (and board). I saw Mr. A. pay a portion of the money myself ($18, I think). The clapboards mentioned were not made for Mr. Applegate, or ever used by him, but were made by the deserters for their own benefit, and used by them in building a shed to protect them from the rain and snow. The charge that Mr. A. endeavored to "entice several of them to run away a second time, offering to conceal them and furnish them with provisions," &c., &c., I know to be foully and flagrantly false. Mr. A. never offered any inducements to the men to desert, but on the contrary endeavored (and in one or two instances succeeded) in persuading them voluntarily to return. He also gave to Gov. Lane and Col. Loring every assistance in his power in effecting their object of overtaking the men, and accompanied Col. Loring as far as the Klamath in the capacity of guide. I am at a loss to conjecture what could have been the motive of this perjured deserter in thus vilifying the character of a man who not only has never injured him, but on the contrary has often extended the rites of hospitality to his fellow soldiers and perhaps to himself. [no signature]
Oregon
Spectator, Oregon City, August 5, 1851, page 2 On August 12 (page 2) the Spectator ran an apology for printing the
letter in
the July 22 issue.GEN. JOSEPH LANE.--This renowned hero of the Mexican War arrived in our city yesterday from Oregon, on his way to Washington, as Congressional Delegate from that Territory. He was warmly received by his hosts of friends and admirer, but "old Joe," who always wished to avoid display, took advantage of the first opportunity and ensconced himself with a few friends in a private house, much to the disappointment of many who wish to pay their respects to him. He looks in fine health and spirits, and we have no doubt will, in his civil capacity, render good service to his constituency. We regret that he has determined on leaving us so soon, but the General has been always celebrated for rapid movements.--San Francisco Star. Oregon Statesman, Oregon City, August 19, 1851, page 2 GEN. LANE IN CALIFORNIA.
Oregon
Weekly Times, Portland, August 28, 1851, page 2
We were fortunately present last evening at a reunion at Jones' Hotel
given by Gov. McDougal to Gen. Lane, "the Marion of the Mexican War,"
and Delegate from Oregon Territory. Captain Pearson was also present
and a ring, a description of which appears in another column, was
presented by Judge Norton on the part of the Governor to the chivalrous
Captain. Gen. Lane, Senator Gwin, Holmes, McDougal, Morse, Broderick,
Hays, Estell, Hutton and others enlivened the evening with their
remarks.
"The Lane that never turns" his back on friend or foe was the "bright particular star" of the evening, and interested all with his sensible remarks and apt anecdotes. God bless him and the Territory of Oregon that are honored in their representative--Star. Letter from Gen. Lane.
Panama, Aug. 21,
1851.
I have the pleasure to inform you that I arrived in this city yesterday
morning. I am much pleased with my trip; the very names of the boats on
which I traveled were calculated to make the trip pleasant. I left on
the Willamette. From
Astoria to San Francisco I came on the Columbia, and from
San Francisco to this place on the fine steamer Oregon. So
I have just got out of, or rather off of, Oregon. Tomorrow morning I
shall set out for Chagres. The most of our passengers have already
gone; I delayed going for the reason that it is understood that no
steamer will go from Chagres before the 25th, consequently I preferred
staying here to staying in Chagres. The Oregon
brought down four hundred passengers. From Cape St. Louis to near this
place the weather was excessively hot. Yet notwithstanding the crowd of
passengers and great heat we had but three deaths on the passage. One
was a lady from near New Harmony, Ia. to California, where she was
taken sick, and in that condition came on board. She was buried at
Acapulco.Her husband, Mr. Wiltse, remained at that place for the purpose of getting his babe--only two months old when the mother died--nursed. Mr. Bush, of San Francisco, bound to Rochester, N.Y., came on board sick, said he should die, and did. The third was a young man who caused his death, as was supposed, by eating fruit at Acapulco. The Oregon has a lucky name, is a fine boat, and [is] commanded by a good sailor and popular gentleman, and has a worthy set of subordinate officers. The Willamette and Columbia are also fine boats, with first-class accommodations and gentlemanly and experienced officers. I have had the good fortune to fall in with Major Lee and Capt. Hardcastle, of the army, and Dr. Hewett, late surgeon of the army, all of whom I find to be honorable gentlemen and noble-hearted, chivalrous Americans. I shall have the pleasure of their company to the States. Hardcastle has been engaged in the boundary survey, and has acquitted himself with credit. He speaks well of Col. Weller, and says there was no good cause of removal, and that Weller's successor has expended some two hundred thousand dollars and done no good. My health is excellent. Respy. yours
JO. LANE. Oregon Statesman, Oregon
City, September 30, 1851, page 2 This letter was reprinted in the
Oregon Weekly Times on October 2.
OREGON NEWS.--We see by the Oregon Statesman that Gen. Joseph Lane is to be supported by the Democrats of Oregon, as Delegate to Congress. Gen. Lane was Governor of the Territory, and was for good cause removed by Gen. Taylor. His decapitation will give the Democrats all the grounds they wish for, in his support.--Springfield Republican, Whig. General Lane was supported by almost all citizens, without regard to party; and by them was triumphantly elected. The fact of his being removed was never alluded to, except playfully and good-naturedly by the General himself. The Oregonian was the first to advocate his election, and the effort of a certain journal to claim his election as an evidence of Democratic strength in Oregon is the veriest piece of party humbug that we have heard of for a long time; particularly as it came from a paper withholding from him its support until the eleventh hour. Oregonian, Portland, October 4, 1851, page 2 Gen. Lane--His
Supporters.
The Statesman is
laboring desperately at this time to gain the favor of General Lane. It
is trying hard to make up for delinquency--for its coming out in his
favor at the eleventh
hour--after all three of the other papers had declared unconditionally
in his favor. We think the Gen. has sense enough to understand such
fealty and can appreciate fully the twattle of the eleventh-hour man.
The Oregonian took
the lead
in favor of Gen Lane, the Times
next--and
then the Spectator
and the
last of all the Statesman.
Yet
he has the hardihood to cry over the General's election our, the Statesman's
victory! "Oh! shame where is thy blush?! echo answers where!! Now, we
do not court the favor of Gen. Lane, nor anyone else of the officials.
He can have our support always if he does not violate the trust
confided in him. But to say he can have it "right or wrong" is
something he must not expect, much less count upon. He was not elected
on party grounds. It is too fresh upon the minds of every person here
for the cringing sycophant of the Statesman
to
pervert the facts and make anyone believe differently who was a
resident
of the Territory at the time. We repeat it, we ask no favor at his
hands, save to serve well his country. That will please us and every
other reasonable man.
Oregon Spectator, Oregon City, November 4, 1851, page 2 General
Joseph Lane.
We publish in
another column a letter received from a gentleman in Oregon announcing
the triumphant election of "the Marion of the Mexican War," as the
delegate of Oregon to the next Congress. Every effort was made to
defeat General Lane, but it was unavailing, and a tried and gallant
soldier has been vindicated by his own people from the aspersions which
political malice has sought to heap upon him.--Washington Union.
We regret exceedingly to see such a gross perversion of facts as the above in a paper occupying the position of the Washington Union. It is characteristic of the vilest recklessness, and is not warranted even by the correspondence to which it alludes. The facts are, Gen. Lane was first taken up by the Oregonian (professedly Whig) some three or four months in advance of all the other papers, and the only opposition the General had to contend with was the two-penny opposition found in the person of Dr. W. H. Wilson, a brother Democrat, who was most gloriously defeated even in his own county, and who, when the votes were counted, could scarcely convince his friends that he had been a candidate. But immediately in the fact of all these facts, the Statesman would fain create the impression that his (Lane's) election depended mainly upon itself--whose support was only secured by the death of the Statesman's first love [Samuel R. Thurston]. Every paper in the Territory lent the General support, and the last to "give in" was the Statesman, "the eleventh-hour man." The second love of the veritable sheet is of the most enthusiastic order. We should not be surprised if it would go off "in a conniption." Oregon Spectator, Oregon City, November 4, 1851, page 2 For
the Spectator.
Mr.
Schneely,
I have been noticing, for some time past, that the truth-loving editor of the Statesman has been laboring diligently to convince his readers that it was mainly through his instrumentality that the people's Delegate to Congress is indebted for the present elevated and responsible position which he now occupies. And it would seem, from his weekly quotations, that he had been successful in palming these willful deceptions off upon at least a portion of his foreign readers--that the election of Gen. Lane was warmly contested on party grounds, and that his opposers, the Whigs, had sustained a most disastrous and glorious defeat--that the only opposition with which he had to contend was of this complexion, but that he had been triumphant over all, by a majority, or voice of 2,000 freemen. I would ask this editor, by whom the General was first put in nomination, was it by the Statesman or those who adhered to its teachings? This community would answer, No; he was first nominated by a convention of the people assembled at Lafayette, Yamhill County, for the purpose of nominating a candidate, independent of party, to be run in opposition to the then incumbent. This convention was not composed of Democrats, for the majority of them declined any participation in its deliberations; accordingly the Whigs and a few Democrats who had assembled brought forward the name of Gen. Jos. Lane as their first choice for Delegate to Congress, who received the nomination without a dissenting voice. When the Oregonian, the only Whig paper published in the Territory, hoisted at its masthead the name of the veteran soldier, next the Star, a Democratic paper, that was then discarded by the Statesman, and its followers, came to the General's support. Shortly after the Spectator, neutral in its politics, volunteered its services in the Governor's cause. And a few days prior to the election, the Statesman editor found himself compelled by public sentiment to follow in the sentiments of his predecessors. The General, while canvassing the Territory, declared himself to be a Democrat, but he thought that the time had not arrived in Oregon when distinctions of a party character should be drawn. And it was his desire, owing to certain past political transactions, to receive nearly as possible the unanimous support of the people of Oregon, and, if elected, no party or particularly locality in the Territory need expect his services or favor to the exclusion of another. And if asked by the President or his cabinet with reference to the political views of persons appointed here to office, that he might be expected to speak the truth, the whole truth and nothing but the truth. Those were Gen. Lane's views as expressed by himself publicly while a candidate before the people, and I doubt not for a moment that those promises will be strictly adhered to. Now, where and by whom did the General meet with opposition? This is all perfectly understood in Oregon. The most violent effort to defeat the old soldier, the "Marion of the Mexican War," was in and around the late defunct capital, by men who profess to be Democrats. Some of the would-be teachers of democracy in Marion County mounted the stump in opposition to the people's candidate and proclaiming from this pinnacle of fame that Gen. Lane was not worthy [of] the confidence of the people of Oregon! That moneys entrusted to his care by our government for disbursement he had converted to his own private use &c. Now, this is the only county, and those the only men who have organized themselves into what they term a Democratic party, and it is well known here at home that those organizers voted in mass against the Hon. Jos. Lane. But those foul calumniators who thus labored to deceive the people are marked, and can be pointed out for years to come as was Cain in the land of his banishment. But I fear this condemnation will be more than they can bear, for such officious worthies always have a very ravenous appetite for office, which the people will be sure never to gratify. O.T. Nov. 8. MARION COUNTY. Oregon Spectator, Oregon City, November 18, 1851, page 2 Proclamation.
Headquarters,
Pacific Division,
WHEREAS, it has been represented that a great portion of the men who
were induced to desert from the army of the United States have
expressed a desire to return to the service, it is therefore announced
to all deserters from the army in California and Oregon that a full
pardon is extended to them--on condition that they will deliver
themselves up at some military post on [or] before the 15th of
September next--forfeit all pay and allowances that may have been due
them at the date of their desertion, and make good the time lost.Benicia, July 9, 1851. By order of Bvt. Brig. Hitchcock (signed)
J.
HOOKER,
July 29, 1851.Asst. Adj. General Oregon Spectator, Oregon City, December 9, 1851, page 2
Gen. Lane has introduced a resolution in Congress, calling upon the
government for the return of the Rifle Regiment, U.S.A., which were
ordered out of Oregon at the earnest solicitation of the late delegate.
This caused considerable debate, which we shall endeavor to publish
next week.
Oregonian, Portland,
April 10, 1852, page 2General Lane's Letter.
Oregonian, Portland,
May 13, 1852, page 2
The Statesman of
the 11th inst. publishes what purports to be a letter from Gen. Lane to
Mr. Deady, the contents of which, if true, will only serve to do Gen.
Lane serious injury, which, no doubt, the "association of gentlemen"
desire. Every man will see at a glance that before O. C. Pratt and his
echoes can stand at the head of the Democratic Party in Oregon, Gen.
Lane must be politically slain. Therefore they parade a letter, in
conspicuous array, which makes Gen. Lane GAINSAY
the
very things he often proclaimed to the people during his canvass for
the office he now holds. The letter, no doubt, is a forgery, and
designed for the double purpose of deceiving and guiling the people and
giving the first blow towards Gen. Lane's destruction. We have too much
confidence in Gen. Lane's patriotism and intelligence to believe that
recent political movements made by such men as this "association of
gentlemen," would induce him to give the lie direct to
all his declarations against the policy of drawing party lines in
Oregon. Gen. Lane was interrogated by King, O'Bryant & Co., on
the
day he addressed the people of this city, last May, as to his views of
the location act. His answer then
did
not correspond with their desires, consequently, they all voted against
him, and did all they could to defeat his election. The people of this
county and the territory remember well the events which took place at
the last June election; and the declarations made by Gen. Lane as to
the course he should pursue if elected. They also remember very
distinctly who opposed and who voted against him. Therefore we
say this
letter looks and smells very much like scores of willful and malicious
falsehoods which have made their appearance in the columns of this same
organ of the renowned "association of gentlemen," the Oregon Statesman.
GEN. LANE.
Oregon
Weekly Times, Portland, November 29, 1852, page 2
It will be recollected that one of the excuses conjured up by Tom Ewing
& Co. for the removal of Gen. Joseph Lane as Governor of Oregon
was
that he had not been prompt in his reports to Washington. There was not
a word of truth in the charge. But it is true that the department at
Washington made no communication to the Governor during the eighteen
months that he was on duty in that far remote region of the Republic.
Yes, we forget, they did send him two communications; one was to inform
him that an error had been found in his accounts whilst he was General
in Mexico to the amount of five
dollars cash.
He had paid out the sum for some purpose which he was informed could
not be allowed, and he was directed to pay over five dollars and no cents to
some official in Oregon--a duty which the Governor promptly performed,
taking a receipt for the same. Another communication informed him that
the department at Washington had no further use for his services. The
latter communication was in order and became a [political] party that
was particularly opposed to proscription for opinion's sake.
But that five dollars and no cents cash is a matter of more gravity, requiring a dispatch all the way to Oregon. It ought to be inquired into. Which of the Galphins got the money?--Louisville Courier. "It will be remembered that Gen. Lane was the first victim of Whig proscription under Gen. Taylor."--Oregon Statesman. Another falsehood. Gen. Lane resigned before he had any notion of his removal.--Oregonian. Gen. Lane had notice of his removal, and the appointment of his successor, months before he resigned. This attempt of the odium of the act is as silly as futile. "Butcher Ewing," who was a member of Taylor's cabinet at the time Gen. Lane was decapitated, last winter defended the removal in the Senate of the U. States, and was seconded and sustained by every Whig member of that body. Oregon Statesman, Oregon City, December 16, 1851, page 2 Gen. LANE of Indiana, who is a Democratic and Reform Presidency seeker, has sold his fine estate of 1,000 acres, on the Ohio, to Judge Bryant. Both gentlemen are of Oregon, and it would seem that the General has a closer eye to the meadows on the Columbia than the Land Limitation Law.--Tribune. Oregonian, Portland, December 20, 1851, page 3 Oregon Territory.
This bay is destined to be
an important point to the southern portion of Oregon; here will be the
outlet for the produce of the Umpqua Valley, and, consequently, here
will be its commercial city. Many pack trains are already employed in
the transportation of goods and provisions from this point to the "gold
diggings" on Rogue, Shasta and Scott rivers.Circular of Hon. Joseph Lane, Delegate from Oregon, in reference to the Settlement, Soil and Climate of Oregon Territory. Washington City,
January 1, 1852.
The great number of letters I am
constantly
receiving, making inquiries in reference to the Territory of Oregon,
has induced me to embody in the form of a circular such information as
is usually desired, that I may thus be enabled to furnish it more
promptly and more in detail than a due attention to my other public
duties would allow me were I to endeavor to give a written answer to
each. I hope this course will not be considered discourteous to my
correspondents, for in pursuing it I will more effectually and
satisfactorily serve them, which is my chief desire.Oregon is a mountainous country, interspersed with many extensive, rich and beautiful valleys, watered by cool, pure streams, having their sources among its snow-clad mountains. It is exceedingly healthy--no country is more so. The atmosphere is pure and the climate delightful, especially during the summer. From April to November there is but little rain, but a cool, gentle breeze blows almost perpetually from the north. The winters are rainy, but mild, for during this season warm south winds constantly prevail. The country is well watered, and the soil very fertile and well adapted to the growth of all the small grains, grasses, potatoes and other culinary vegetables--and yielding most abundantly, except Indian corn, which is not regarded as a successful crop. Many of the hills and mountains are covered with inexhaustible forests of fine timber, generally fir and cedar. Those forests frequently skirt the valleys and streams. As is well known, the Columbia is the only great river on the Pacific Slope, and stretches from the seacoast to the Rocky Mountains. From its mouth to the Cascades, a distance of about one hundred and fifty miles, there is an uninterrupted navigation for vessels of the largest size. The Willamette empties into the Columbia about ninety miles from its mouth. This river is also navigable for the largest vessels to Portland, fifteen miles from its mouth, and many have ascended as high as Milwaukie, seven miles further. At the risk of some little repetition, it may not be deemed improper or unnecessary to give a more detailed and minute description of the valley of this and some of the other streams of Oregon. The Willamette Valley is bounded by the Coast Mountains on the west, and the Cascade Range on the east. The soil is excellent, and is not surpassed, if equaled, by any portion of the continent in its adaptation to the growth of wheat, rye and oats. Potatoes are produced in great abundance and of a superior quality, while wheat is invariably a certain crop, subject to none of the diseases and uncertainties peculiar to it in the States: it matures slowly, hence the grain is always full and plump, and the straw unusually solid and elastic, and not subject to fall. In consequence of the cool, dry summers, and the entire absence of rain during the harvest season, the farmer is enabled to gather in his grain without waste. This valley is about one hundred and fifty miles in length, and thirty-five in breadth, and is sparsely settled throughout its whole extent. Many fine locations are yet unoccupied which will richly repay the labor of the thrifty husbandman. Natural meadows, as yet untouched by the hand of cultivation, afford abundant and rich pasturage for immense herds of cattle. The valley is mostly prairie, skirted by beautiful groves of timber, while through its center runs the Willamette River. The Umpqua Valley is distant from the Willamette about twelve miles, and is separated from it by the Calapooia Mountain. It is about ninety miles in length and varies from five to thirty-five miles in width. It is made up of a succession of hills and dales and furnishes but little timber, yet abounds in a natural luxuriant growth of the richest grass. North and South Umpqua rivers run through this valley, and form a junction about forty miles from the bay of the same name. The entrance to this bay is found to be practicable, as many ships and steamers have crossed the bar at its mouth, finding from three to three and a half fathoms of water upon it, without the aid of pilots, buoys or lighthouses. A few slight accidents, however, have occurred for the want of such improvements. A port of entry has been established here, and appropriations have been made for a lighthouse and fog signals. Rogue River Valley, which takes its name from the river that passes through it, is about seventy miles by the main traveled route from the Umpqua. The valley is well watered by never-failing streams; the soil is generally good, and it is skirted and interspersed with groves of fine timber. As it borders upon a rich gold region, it must eventually become densely populated. As yet, however, it contains no white settlement, but is occupied by the Rogue River Indians, who have rendered it the seat of much trouble and suffering from their depredations. There is no portion of the Territory, and, indeed, I may almost add of the world, better adapted to grazing than this valley. In extent it is about fifty by thirty miles. Surrounded by mountains, the eye seldom rests upon a more beautiful, picturesque and romantic spot. It extends to within a few miles of the boundary between Oregon and California. These valleys all lie west of the Cascade Mountains, and south of the Columbia. There are also many small valleys, rich and fertile, in this part of the Territory, affording good inducements to settlers, and which no doubt will be speedily occupied so soon as suitable protection can be extended over them by the government. A very interesting portion of Oregon lies north of the Columbia, and is being rapidly settled. The Cowlitz, which rises in the Cascade Mountains, north of the Columbia, runs through a large tract of fine, arable land, entering the Columbia some forty or fifty miles from its mouth. A French settlement, of many years growth, commences near this river, about thirty miles from its mouth, and now embraces some large and valuable farms. Americans also, have, within the last six years, settled between it and the Chehalis, and are doing well. The country is level and fertile, and beautifully interspersed with prairies and timber. The valley of the Chehalis is also fertile, and well adapted to cultivation. Between it and Puget Sound the country is level and well timbered, with occasional small prairies. This Sound is one of the safest and best harbors in the world. It affords fine ship navigation into an important portion of the Territory. Surrounded by a large district of country, rich in soil, with immense forests of the finest timber in the world, and combining many advantages, agricultural and commercial, it is destined to be, at no distant day, one of the most important points on the Pacific Coast. A low pass in the Cascade Mountains offers a route for a good road from the Sound to Fort Walla Walla, on the Columbia. Such a road would be important for military purposes, and would also be a great saving of distance and time to emigrants going to the Cowlitz and Chehalis rivers, Puget's Sound, or to any other point north of the Columbia. At present, emigrants are compelled to take the road across the Cascade Mountains, south of the Columbia, to Oregon City, from whence it is as far, by a road almost impassable, to Puget Sound as it would be from Walla Walla by the road suggested. There are, also, east of the Cascade Range, north and south of the Columbia, now in possession of the Indians, large districts of country finely adapted to grazing, with occasional good tracts of farming land, which will, no doubt, ere long be occupied by the whites. Oregon City is situated at the Great Falls of the Willamette. Steamboats run daily from this place to Portland, and those of a small class also run daily up the river, above the falls, from thirty to fifty miles, and in some instances, recently, as I am informed, they have even gone up one hundred and fifty miles. A small, judicious expenditure would render the river constantly navigable for such boats that distance. The population of Oregon, including the immigration of the last season, is probably twenty thousand. The immigration is rapidly increasing, owing not only to the natural advantages of the country, but the liberal provisions made for actual settlers by a late law of Congress. By that law liberal donations of lands are made to all who will settle upon them previous to the first day of December 1853. To a single man one hundred and sixty acres, and to a married man three hundred and twenty--one half in his own right and the other half to his wife in her own right, upon condition that they will live upon and cultivate it for four years. The population is of a substantial character, much better than is generally found in new countries. The people are enterprising, industrious, frugal and orderly. Many of the earlier settlers have large well-cultivated farms; indeed, agriculture everywhere in the Territory may be said to be in a flourishing condition, remarkably so for a new country. California and the Sandwich Islands afford markets and good prices for all our surplus products, and will undoubtedly for years to come. Many of the various religious denominations have established churches in the Territory, to some one of which the majority of the settlers belong. Great interest has also been manifested by the people in the establishment of good schools, and admirably have they succeeded in their laudable efforts. The Institute at Salem, under the patronage of the Methodist Episcopal Church, and the Academy at Tualatin Plains, under the control of the Presbyterians, are excellent and flourishing institutions. There are also two female institutes in Oregon City. Portland, Lafayette and other small towns have good schools. Indeed, they are common in the country wherever the population will justify them. A grant of land was made by the last Congress for the endowment of a university--the site of which has been fixed by the Territorial Legislature at Marysville. The Indians immediately bordering on or near the settlements are perfectly friendly and well-disposed; settlers have nothing to fear from them. Those upon Rogue River are troublesome to persons passing through their country, and will probably continue so until a garrison shall be established to overawe and keep them in subjection. This I hope will soon be done, for their depredations upon travelers have already caused much trouble and suffering. They are upon the great thoroughfare from Oregon to California, a fork of which leads to Fort Hall, being the road frequently traveled by emigrants from that point to Oregon. Emigrants have the past year suffered considerably from the Snake Indians, who infest the great road west from Fort Hall, and who are scattered over a large extent of territory through which the road passes. The establishment of a garrison in their country is essentially necessary for the maintenance of peace, and the protection of the lives and property of persons passing to and from Oregon. A number of emigrants have, during the past season, been murdered by the Indians, and many of their animals and other property stolen from them. Emigrants should exercise great care and prudence in passing through this district of country, and they should remember that it is essential to their safety, upon all parts of this road, that in no case should they suffer themselves to be taken by surprise, or the least advantage had of them by the Indians, for the least carelessness, or want of proper precaution, often seriously endangers the safety of not only their property but their lives. Those who contemplate emigrating to Oregon should be ready to leave St. Joseph, on the Missouri River, with a proper outfit, by the first day of May. Ox teams are much to be preferred. Provisions for the trip, and sufficient blankets for bedding, with such tools only as are necessary to repair a wagon, should be taken. Each man should also carry his gun and plenty of ammunition. The journey is a long and tedious one, and all who undertake it must expect to endure fatigue, privations and hardships. I would advise every person, or at least every company, to procure Palmer's Emigrants' Guide. It correctly lays down the fords across the streams, the camping grounds, and also the places where grass, wood and water can be found. No article not necessary for the journey should be taken, as there is great danger of overloading and breaking down the teams. Dry goods, groceries, furniture and farming utensils of all kinds are abundant in Oregon, and no one should think of taking such things with them. It must not, however, be supposed that no inconveniences are to be experienced by emigrants after they arrive there. These are always incident to the settlement of new countries, especially for the first year, but they are fewer in Oregon than are usual in the settling of new territories. JOS. LANE.
Speech of Hon. Joseph Lane.
In the House, Feb. 10th, a debate took place upon Gen. Lane's
resolution calling upon the President to provide protection for the
emigrants bound for Oregon. The following is the resolution: [The debate actually took place
on February
9.]
Resolved, That the President of the United States be requested to communicate to the House what steps, if any, have been taken to ensure the protection of emigrants en route to Oregon, against the depredations of the Indians of that Territory, and in case no steps have been taken for that purpose, that he be requested to cause the regiment of mounted rifles to be placed upon duty within the Territory of Oregon; the service for which said troops were created--and that he cause a portion of said regiment to be posted upon the main emigrant road from St. Joseph, on the Missouri, between Fort Hall and the Dalles of the Columbia River, and the remainder thereof to be posted in the Rogue River Valley, on the road from Oregon to California, said troops being necessary for the protection of emigrants and others traveling said road. Mr. Haven, of New York, moved a reconsideration on the ground that it gave directions [to the President of the United] States with reference to the mode of employing the military force of the United States, whereupon Gen. Lane said: I called upon the President in person, and the House is aware that he is of the opinion that the Army is too small to afford all the protection that is necessary for that country, and that he has recommended an increase of the Army. I called upon the Secretary of War recently relative to this matter, and asked him if any troops could be sent to that country to afford protection to the emigrants bound to Oregon this season? I have received no definite answer from either of them. The President feels friendly disposed towards that country; and I have no doubt he is anxious to do his duty. I make no charges at all. But I charge that the rifle regiment has been diverted from the purpose for which it was raised and organized. It ought not to have been ordered to Texas, if it has been done. I say to the gentleman from Texas that if an order has been issued from the Department here, ordering that regiment to Texas, it ought not to have been done. It was not raised for Texan service, nor for the protection of the boundary between Mexico and the United States; and I can say another thing to the gentleman from Texas, that they there are not in an exposed condition as are the people of Oregon, and as are the people of the States on their way there; and I know that it is an easy matter in Texas to raise a force of sufficient numbers to whip all the Indians who may make any attempt upon their settlements. I know there is no state more gallant, or a people more ready to turn out on duty at a moment's warning, than the people of Texas. I know their ability to defend themselves, and that all they want is to know that their services are needed, and they are ready to go out and destroy the Indians. But how is it with Oregon? In that portion of Oregon, for which I ask protection, there are not any settlements within seven hundred miles. The population even in the settled portion of Oregon is small; and can this House for a moment expect them to raise a force of five hundred or even three hundred men, and send them out with subsistence seven hundred miles from a settlement? Emigrants bound to Oregon, when once within the settlements, are as safe as they would be in Washington City. But look at the district of country they are to pass over to get there; and who is to give them protection? Can the people of Oregon turn out and do it, but recollect that every man's time is worth five dollars a day to him. Now, if you want to raise a force you must first say to the volunteer that you will give him five dollars a day, and find him horse, arms and equipment. And is that Territory, with only three thousand voters, able to do that, and can they extend to the country the protection which it ought to have? Why induce people to go there? Since I have been here I have received thousands of letters making inquiries about Oregon, and making known to me that certain persons in the neighborhood of the writers were making preparations to start for Oregon. And every man who has made up his mind to go there this year must leave the settlements soon, and be at St. Joseph with every necessary for outfit on the way, by the first of May next. Can we begin, at this late moment, to authorize the raising of the force required, arm it, and get it ready in time to render them the necessary assistance? No, sir, we cannot; and if we fail to do it, what will be the result? Let me tell you, it will be the tomahawking, in the most cruel and barbarous manner, of the men, women, and children, and helpless families, who have been induced to go to Oregon, and that, too, after a regiment has been raised for the specific purpose of protecting them. Why should it be ordered to Texas? I am not sure that such an order has been made. If it has been, I ask, in the name of the people who will be exposed to Indian depredations, that it be countermanded, and let the regiment go to Oregon, where it should go, and where it is the duty of the President to send it. If he fails to do it, I shall never cease to say that, in my judgment, he has failed to do his duty. I am sure that it will be wrong to divert that regiment from that country. The regiment arrived in Oregon at a time and under circumstances the most unfavorable. It was just at the time of the breaking out of the great gold excitement, and in the midst of that excitement many of the privates abandoned the service, disgraced themselves by forsaking their flag and going off in search of gold. But a portion of them did not desert, and a sufficient number were left to afford all the protection necessary for that country. They said, "We have enlisted for this service, and will remain and serve out our time, get our discharge, and then become citizens of this country." While the regiment was in that condition, and able to render service to the country, and afford the protection we needed, they were ordered from that country to this; and from what the gentleman from Texas now says, I suppose it is ordered to Texas, and is now upon the way thither. If so, it is all wrong. A portion of that regiment, contrary to justice, contrary to law, in my judgment--I am no lawyer, but if I make a declaration which is not warranted, I wish some good lawyer to correct me--I say a portion of that regiment, raised for service in the Oregon Territory, before they were ordered out of it, were transferred from that regiment into the dragoon service, and ordered into California. That was, in my judgment, a violation of the contract between the government and the soldier, and would, I have no doubt, have entitled him to his discharge, if he had taken the proper steps for that purpose in due time. Nevertheless, the transfer for the time being was fortunate for us, because it gave us their invaluable services a few weeks longer than we would have had them if they had gone off with the rifles. It happened to be just at the time the troubles broke out among the Rogue River Indians, when our people were being murdered by them, when they were thus transferred from the rifles to the dragoon service. The troops thus transferred consisted of two companies, one commanded by Captain Walker, the other by the gallant and lamented Stewart, who, after covering himself with unfading laurels in Mexico, unfortunately fell in that distant land, in defense of his exposed countrymen. The people of Oregon will ever cherish his memory, and I hope and believe they will, as they ought, erect a monument to perpetuate it. Those troops, the whole being under the command of Major Kearny, moved in the direction of the Indian troubles; and it was my fortune, with a few gallant Oregonians, to fall in with them then, also including some brave volunteer Californians, and witness and participate in the service which followed. But for those troops, who remained only two weeks in the country, and at the seat of Indian trouble, the whole outside settlements would have been crushed. But they gave the Indians a severe flogging and a severe chastisement, such a one as has kept them, up to the present time, in that quarter, apparently friendly, though they have killed a few whites since; but that is so frequent an occurrence that we hardly think of asking this government to avenge it. The killing of one or two men is no unusual thing there; but we take care of these comparativly small disturbances ourselves. But when it is evident that there is a general hostility, as there is now, it is the imperative duty of the Government to interpose and give us aid. Now, while I am speaking of that Indian war in which Captain Stewart fell, I would like to say to South Carolinians, of which state he was a native, that he was an ornament to that gallant state; that he was the best officer of his age in the American Army, and more familiar with the duties of an officer than any young man in the Army. He had distinguished himself in every battle he was in in Mexico--and he was in nearly all of them--and fell fighting for the people of Oregon. I learned, about the time of his death, that a portion of his salary was annually or quarterly devoted to the benefit of his mother, now, I learn, living in this district. I hope that some friend of that man will take care to propose that a pension be granted to that mother; a mother who bore such a noble son is entitled, in my opinion, to the benefit of a pension. But I am wandering from the subject. Now, as to the resolution, if there is anything in it, any wording of it that is not just right, I am willing to change it. I do not ask to direct the President of the United States. He is the Commander-in-Chief of the Army of the United States, and I do not want to abridge his authority. I want to request him simply. If the word request is not in the resolution, I want it inserted. I want to draw the attention of the President to it, and request him, in the most respectful manner, to extend to the people of Oregon Territory that protection which they are entitled to, and that he will send out that regiment to Oregon, which was raised by a law of Congress for that service. Now, to undertake to raise a regiment, and get them on the ground in time to protect emigrants this year, is out of the question. No such thing can be done. If members of this House are willing to afford this protection, they must request the President, or the President must do it without request, to send out some troops now in the field, and who are regularly in the service. If you let it go this year, there is no certainty of getting them the next; and when will we get that protection our citizens need and demand? I am satisfied myself, that the Army is sufficiently large for all purposes. Are there not more troops stationed along the southern states than are needed there? Why are troops needed in the old states of the Union? Why not send them where they will be on duty, affording protection to the unsettled portions of our country? Or is it that Oregon is too far off, and nothing is cared for the people out there? I am satisfied that there are enough in the regular Army, properly distributed, to afford all the protection that Texas may need, without calling upon her gallant sons to turn out, and to defend themselves. That, however, they have been in the habit of doing ever since an American lived there. They are enough to afford protection to Texas, and also to emigrants en route for Oregon. Why not let the rifles come to Oregon--let the troops who have enlisted for that service serve out their time there? Now, let me again ask that the resolution be amended so as to make the resolution read "request" instead of "direct," wherever it may occur. I trust the vote to reconsider will not prevail. Oregon Weekly Times, Portland, April 17, 1852, page 2 The speech can also be found on page 508 of the Congressional Globe for the first session of the 32nd Congress.
One of the curtained editors of the Oregonian
continues
the attacks upon, and misrepresentation of, Gen. Lane in the last
number. He says:
"Is not Oregon possessed of interests which might not profitably be looked after by the general government? She has rivers and harbors--the property of the United States--which, as far as sound policy in the government might justify, should be improved with lighthouses and the safe means of a safe navigation. She receives an annual addition to her numerical force of several thousand, who cross a barren plain of two thousand miles--through hostile Indian tribes against whom their government have instituted no defense--And why are these things so?" And there have already been appropriations made for lighthouses in Oregon, and the work is now under contract. For the reason it has not been before commenced, ask the federal department at Washington. The resolute effort of Gen. Lane to get troops upon the emigrant road in time to protect the immigration of the present season is well known. His speech in the House on that subject we published several months since. And he only desisted in his efforts to obtain protection from Congress when solemnly promised by the federal Secretary of War that the would immediately order troops upon the route, and in time to effect Gen. Lane's object, the protection of the immigration which is now entering the valley. That promise was utterly violated; for the reason why, as the federal Secretary at Washington. After having been deceived by him, Gen. Lane has again caused the matter to be brought to the notice of Congress, and by reference to the proceedings of that body, which we publish today, it will be seen that they have a bill under consideration which provides a remedy for this grievance. Oregon Statesman, Oregon City, September 11, 1852, page 2 Gen. Lane
Has been addressing the Democracy of
Jefferson
County, Virginia, at the Sulfur Springs. A correspondent of the Baltimore Sun says:"Gen. Lane and Mr. Ingersoll are both sojourning at Jordan Springs. The former is one of the most gentlemanly, plain and unassuming men I ever saw, and is just what a brave American soldier should be, but an uncompromising Democrat. The general is no mean orator, and the Democracy may safely rely on him as their champion in the cause, for he talks about as well as he fights." Oregon Weekly Times, Portland, October 16, 1852, page 1 The Indiana papers publish the following letter from Gen. Lane in reply to an application to join a company under his guidance to proceed to Oregon next spring by the overland route. It is addressed to D. H. Long, Brownstown, Idn.: DEAR SIR: Yours of the 17th is before me. I have no intention of forming an exclusive company for Oregon. I have not concluded whether to go by land or water to the country. Should I, however, take the overland route, I shall go as other emigrants, with such company as I may chance to fall into. Respectfully, your obedient servant, JOSEPH
LANE.
Evansville Daily Journal, Indiana,
January 22, 1853, page 2Gen. Lane in the House.
We give the
following letter from an old and respectable citizen of Oregon, who
happened to be at Washington on the day that the Oregon matters were
disposed of--not only to show the opinion of a man that was previously
prejudiced against Gen. Lane, but at the same time to give our readers
some idea of how attentive and interested he is for Oregon. It will be
seen that he was cool and deliberate--was on the battle ground early,
and inspired confidence in his friends by his personal presence and
offhand speeches. The 8th day of February was a great day of victory
for him, and for Oregon. He displayed as good tactics on this occasion
as on the morning of the 22nd Feb., 1847, when he opened the battle of
Buena Vista.
WASHINGTON
CITY,
Editor of Oregon
Times:Feb. 8, 1853. I am induced to give you the incidents of this day. I arrived here at 6 o'clock this morning. At 10 o'clock I called upon our Delegate from Oregon, and was politely and most cordially received by him. After the solicitous inquiries respecting old friends and acquaintances in Oregon, Gen. Lane remarked to me that the "Oregon Land Law" would come up today in the House and also the proposition to divide the Territory. I at once determined to go to the House and see for myself how we were represented. Our Delegate in the morning manifested a great deal of anxiety and sent his friend and little son to request, as a special favor, that certain members whom he knew to be friendly to Oregon, and had assisted him thus far in his efforts for Oregon, would not forsake him in the hour of trial. We went at an early hour to the House, and our Delegate was not idle. He besought of one as a favor that he would not oppose this bill, of another that he would give it his cordial support, of another to help get it through as a matter of importance to the welfare of the Territory. To accomplish this, he was in his place an hour in advance of the time for the House to meet. The House met and our Delegate continued his labors--going from member to member while the Journal was being read, and up to the time the Oregon Bill was announced by the Speaker as the first business before the House. On this announcement by the Speaker, in an instant, not less than ten voices shouted, "Mr. Speaker!" The Speaker gave the floor to Mr. Jones of Tennessee, who withdrew the objection which he had previously made to the bill. There were several attempts made to stave off the question, but it was evident that the silent and personal efforts of Gen. Lane had secured a reliable support, and every division and vote showed that he was gaining his point. He was also ready to put in a short speech at the right point--which told, for I noticed when the Chairman announced that the gentleman from Oregon had the floor, that the members laid aside their newspapers to listen--and all appeared not only willing, but anxious to hear all he had to say. I am fully satisfied that the influence of our Delegate is more than that of any man that could be sent--from what I saw in his management of his Land Bill, and the division of the Territory. I had, with many others of our citizens, been under the impression that our Delegate was not doing for us as much as we expected of him. In this impression, I am frank to acknowledge, I was very wrong. I believe he is doing all in his power for our Territory--and is doing more in proportion for us than any other Delegate for any other Territory can do. He says but little, but gets the more--and was listened to with more attention than any member I heard speak in the House. He tells me positively that he shall start for Oregon by water as early as the 20th of March. G.
Oregon Weekly Times, Portland,
April 2, 1853, page 2
JACKSONVILLE,
March, [1853]
EDITOR
TIMES:--Enclosed please find $20 for
subscriptions to the Times
and
send them all in one package to my address. There have been great calls
for your paper here of late--since your bringing out of Gen. Lane for
the Democratic nomination--no other Democrat can poll half the vote
here that he can, and no Whig can make a respectable show against him.
He is an old miner as well as soldier, and has shared the hardships and
dangers attendant upon the first attempts to settle this wild and
savage section. My word for it, "Old Joe" will sweep the mines like a
prairie on fire. Indeed, no one else is much talked of here with the
exception of Judge Skinner, whom the Whigs intend to run.[unsigned]
Oregon Weekly Times, Portland,
April 2, 1853, page 3
Governor Lane with his family arrived at San Francisco on the 5th inst., in the steamer Sierra Nevada, en route for Oregon. Shasta Courier, Shasta City, California, May 14, 1853, page 2 We have received, per Adams & Co., the Oregon papers up to the 14th inst. They are usual very interesting to people not residents of the territory, being filled with discussions of the local politics, and the most bitter personal invectives. The great bone of contention seems to be Gen. Jo. Lane. While one paper would deify the new Governor, another would immolate him. If his friends do not kill him with praise he can probably survive the attacks of his enemies. For our part we could stand the latter much better than the former. "From Oregon," Daily Alta California, San Francisco, May 20, 1853, page 2 Correspondence
of the Oregon Weekly
Times.
From The South. ALTHOUSE,
May 1st, 1853.
FRIEND WATERMAN:
In pursuance of a call from the Democratic Central Committee, the
Democracy of Althouse met today, for the purpose of listening to a
speech from the Hon. John R. Hardin, long connected with the interests
and success of the Democratic Party. The meeting was large, and Mr. H.
was listened to with a degree of interest and attention seldom
exhibited by a public audience. He urged the Democracy to unite in the
support of Gen. Lane, the nominee of the Democracy of the Territory. He
canvassed the claims of Judge Skinner for the office of Delegate, and
after giving a history of his Indian treaties, concluded by saying that
if he should display an equal talent
in making laws in Washington City, he would
certainly make a good Delegate--over
the left.The Hon. G. R. Cole, being present, was then called out. He made an urgent appeal to the Democracy to rally round the standard of their party and elect Gen. Lane by a triumphant majority. He spoke of Judge Skinner as being a candidate of the "people," and showed conclusively that a "people's party" was always a "Whig party." He warned the Democrats against being caught by that same old trick to which the Whigs have so often resorted. After which he discussed the claims of the two candidates for the Delegateship. He referred to Gen. Lane's course in Mexico--to his position in Congress--to his efforts and success in obtaining the passage of acts for the promotion of the interests of the Territory--and he alluded to the reception Gen. Lane had met with everywhere, on his return to the States. Others who were candidates for different county offices followed, and the meeting broke up with much good feeling, and with the determination to make Jackson the banner county of Democracy. Messrs. Hardin and Cole are not candidates for any office, but have promised to devote all their time and energies, from this until the election, in canvassing the southern portion of the Territory for Jo Lane. Yours
truly,
WM. McMILLEN. Oregon Weekly Times, Portland,
May 21, 1853, page 1
Gen. Lane was hourly expected at Portland. His arrival was to be signalized by the firing of a national salute of 13 guns. "From Oregon," Sacramento Daily Union, May 23, 1853, page 2 Maj. L. F. Mosher, from Cincinnati, Ohio, arrived last steamer in company with Gen. Lane. The Major, we are happy to say, has stuck his stakes in this city, where he will practice the profession of the law. And it might not be out of place to remark that he ranked high in the profession at Cincinnati, and we predict for him a most brilliant and useful career here--as brilliant as were his services as an officer in the Mexican war, when led by Gen. Lane, the "Marion" of that service. Oregon Weekly Times, Portland, May 28, 1853, page 2 For Delegate to Congress, there are two candidates, Gen. Lane and "Judge" Skinner. Gen. Lane is a Democrat, undisguised; the nominee of the Democratic Party, and runs as the exponent of their principles. He shows no false colors, and attempts no deception. He is a man of affirmative character, of great mental and physical energy--full of life and vigor--Whatever he does, he does "with all his might," and whatever he undertakes, he performs. He knows "no such word as fail." He has a reputation as a spotless Democrat and an honest man, as wide as the extent of our nation. He is the warm personal and confidential friend of the President, and of many if not all the heads of departments. All have unbounded confidence in his political and general integrity. He is the political friend of the ruling party in Congress, and the valued personal friend of many of the individual members. He has had much legislative experience in Indiana, and represented Oregon in the last Congress--has thus become familiar with her wants, and the means of obtaining them. He knows the members of Congress--knows who are the earnest friends of the Territories, who indifferent, and who hostile. In the last Congress he accomplished more for Oregon than did the delegates from all the other Territories for their constituencies. No well-informed man can doubt that he can accomplish far more in the next. Opposed to him is A. A. Skinner, a clever man, in the American sense of the word. A harmless, inoffensive citizen, against whom, as such, nothing can be said; far is it from our wish that anything should be. His is a negative character, so far as he has any, which makes neither warm enemies or friends. Men have little for or against him. His mental capacity is, to say the most, extremely moderate, and his mind, like his body, having for a lifetime remained dormant, has in a great degree become torpid, and to some extent ceased to function. He is an embodiment of idleness, inertness, and inefficiency, and he is as much distinguished for either, as for his proverbial cleverness. He is as destitute of resolution, life, or energy, as men "ever get to be." An effort of mind or body is made with reluctance, made seldom, and not long continued. . . . His own impulses and motives are honest enough, but he has not the courage and firmness to resist the influences which surround him and carry out his convictions of right. Thus he can be and has been made the passive instrument of wrong. When, in times past, he attempted to act the "judge," this defect in the man, we are told, was often remarked. And later, Gaines availed himself of it, and made him the passive participant in the corrupt squandering of $40,000 in the Indian treaty swindle. "The Interests of Oregon," Oregon Statesman, Oregon City, May 21, 1853, page 2 IS GEN. LANE A CITIZEN OF OREGON?--The Sewer has had a good deal to say about "Gen. Lane of Indiana," and grave surmises and hints that he would never bring his family to the Territory have been thrown out. The last steamer brought, we believe, every member of his family, near and remote, numbering twenty-nine. That looks strongly as though the old General intended to make Oregon his permanent residence. His Encarnacion friends, who have been so apprehensive that he would not settle his family here, will doubtless be gratified to learn that the male members, with one exception, are Democrats, "good and true." Oregon Statesman, Oregon City, May 21, 1853, page 2 Gov. Lane, who has resigned the position of Governor of Oregon, to run for Congress on the regular Democratic ticket, and Mr. Skinner, his opponent, running on the "People's Ticket," had a discussion before the people of Jacksonville on the 31st of May. "From Jacksonville and Yreka," Shasta Courier, Shasta, California, June 11, 1853, page 3 Gen. Lane and family are on their way to his claim in Umpqua Valley, near Winchester. Oregon Weekly Times, Portland,
July 2, 1853, page 2
Oregon Correspondence.
SALEM,
OREGON, June 25, 1853.
ED. JOURNAL:--The
election of delegate to Congress, which has just closed, has resulted
in the choice of Gen. Lane by a majority of about 1,600. As it may not
be uninteresting to many of your readers, I will give you a
statement of the vote in some of the principal counties:
The people of Oregon are remarkable for their hospitality and general cordiality of manners in their intercourse with each other and with strangers. Strangers! There are no strangers here; none of that cold reserve and distance of manner which marks the intercourse of people in the older states. Nor is there undue familiarity, but a respectful frankness and warmth of manner, quite refreshing to those who have left all old acquaintances behind, and find themselves among persons whose faces they have never seen before. Lonely indeed would be the situation of the emigrant on his arrival, were it not for this welcome extended to him by the Oregonians; but whatever of homesickness he may feel at first soon gives place to entire satisfaction and contentment. No person that I have seen, who has been here a few months, is willing to leave and return to the States. The country of the Umpqua which is now attracting some attention I will endeavor to describe. It differs in its external aspect very little from the other parts of Oregon. It is composed for the most part of inconsiderable hills, not connected with any chain of mountains, but which rise in gentle undulations from the generally level surface of the country. The valleys are narrow, but of no great depth; and at their bottoms flow little streams which glide by a gentle descent to the Umpqua River, or to the neighboring ocean. Near the ocean and as we approach the Cascade Range of mountains, the scenery assumes a bolder character. The Umpqua, near its mouth, flows in a deep and rocky bed amid everchanging rocks and woods; but nearer its source the declivities are more gentle, and extensive valleys reward the labors of the cultivator. Some persons prefer this part of Oregon to any other, but most, I believe, prefer the Willamette Valley. There are three newspapers published in Oregon; one of them Whig, the other two Democratic. They are now engaged in a triangular fight, all of them having agreed to disagree, and have a shot or two at each other. A reader of their editorials is reminded of the triangular duel described in a novel called "Midshipman Easy" in which Easy fired at Biggs, Biggs at Eastup, and Eastup at Easy. There seems, however, in the last few numbers, a disposition on the part of the Whig paper and one of the Democracy to form an alliance offensive and defensive against the Statesman, the Democratic paper published at Salem, and which is the official paper of the Territory, and the ablest. The weapons used in this controversy are such as are usual in newspaper warfare--argument, abuse, sarcasm, wit, ridicule. Mr. Bush the editor of the Statesman, has great skill in political controversy, nor does he shrink from personalities where personalities are necessary. His assailants are antagonists not to be despised. Evansville Daily Journal, Evansville, Indiana, August 17, 1853, page 2 Winchester, Aug. 17,
1853.
"Indian
War in Rogue River,"
Oregon
Statesman, Salem, August 23, 1853, page 2
Dear Bush:--At
1 o'clock this morning I received by express per Mr. Ettlinger a letter
from Rogue River, confirming the news which recently reached us of war
with the Indians in that vicinity, of a more serious character than any
heretofore with the tribes of that quarter. Dr. Rose, Jno. R. Hardin
and several others have been killed, and a large amount of property
destroyed.
It is believed that the Klamath, Shasta and Rogue River tribes have united, determined to destroy the settlements, Jacksonville and all. They are, it seems, well armed, having purchased many good rifles from the miners; they have also a good supply of ammunition, consequently they are formidable. The whites on the contrary are scarce of arms and ammunition. I shall be off for the scene of troubles in a few minutes.
In great haste, your ob't. serv't.
JO LANE. Treating with the Southern
Indians.
By the letters which we published last week our readers have learned
that the 1st inst. was fixed upon by Gen. Lane to consider a
proposition for a treaty of peace made by the Indians, and that Gen.
Palmer, the Superintendent of Indian Affairs, had been sent for. The
time of receiving the dispatch would hardly have enabled him to be
there, however.
The result of that contemplated conference we have not heard, but it is quite probable that it resulted in a postponement, on account of the presumed absence of the Superintendent, or in non-action and a consequent renewal of hostilities. As to the policy of treating with these Indians, we are not prepared to express an opinion, removed as we are from the scene of troubles, and, quite likely, misunderstanding to some extent the causes and nature of the difficulties. Our impulses are, if not for extermination, against a treaty until they have been thoroughly chastised and subdued. And such we apprehend is the case with a great majority of the public. But we have, and we believe all have, unbounded confidence in Gen. Lane's judgment in the matter, and no fear that he will advise a treaty against justice or the interests of the whites. He is on the ground; he understands those Indians and the difficulties existing there, and has been familiar with them for the past three years. Indian fighting with him, if the revenge of wrongs or the safety of citizens demand it, is pastime. And if the southern tribes deserve extermination, or the safety of the inhabitants of that quarter demand it, we know that Gen. Lane will be foremost in the fray, and "in at the death" of the last Indian. If such shall be his conclusion, no treaty has been or will be recommended by him. Or if he shall deem a severe chastisement sufficient, and necessary, treaties will not meet his approbation till they have had it to their thorough subdual. With his superior knowledge of the Indian character, of the character of those particular tribes and the history of this and former difficulties with them, and his oft-tested will to visit their crimes with the most ample vengeance, we are more willing to trust his judgment in the matter and manner of a settlement than our own. And such we believe is the sentiment of Oregon. Oregon Statesman, Salem, September 13, 1853, page 2
The wound
received by Gen. Lane, in the fight on the 24th, was on the same arm
and just above that received in Mexico.
Oregon Statesman, Oregon City, September 27, 1853, page 2 Gen. Lane was in Rogue River at last dates, endeavoring to effect a treaty with the Taylor Indians, who, in consequence of the bad faith shown them, declined to treat. If he accomplished his object in time, he will pass through this valley to Washington. But if not he purposed proceeding to San Francisco by land. Oregon Statesman, Oregon City, September 27, 1853, page 2 Jacksonville,
Sept. 13, 1853.
Mr.
Editor:--The attempt of a few persons who were dissatisfied with Gen.
Lane's course in relation to the treaty,
to get up an indignation meeting here on last evening, proved an entire
failure, consequently some of our valiant men in talk were disappointed
in not finding an opportunity to let off steam.A drunken loafer who never saw powder burnt rode through our streets yesterday, bawling at the top of his voice, "Ten dollars reward to the ladies of Jacksonville if they will present Jo Lane with a petticoat." All observers pitied the poor creature and regarded him as a hero who had purchased his patriotism for a quarter at the neighborhood doggery. The people are becoming satisfied with the treaty and are returning to their homes. There are some suspicions that the Indians have more credit for house burning than they are entitled to. The Indians say that a "Boston" was in their camp a few nights before the battle and furnished them with ammunition and advised them what course to pursue. They refuse to give his name. It will not be healthy for him if he is found out. Capt. Alden and others who were wounded are fast recovering. Mining business has been entirely suspended, but is beginning to be resumed. Never having seen Gen. Lane, my curiosity prompted me to visit his camp day before yesterday. Having seen generals in the States togged out in epaulets, gold lace, cocked hats and long, shining swords, I expected to find something of the kind at "headquarters." But fancy my surprise on being introduced to a robust, good-looking middle-aged man, with his right arm in a sling, the shirt sleeve slit open and dangling bloody from his shoulder, his nether extremities cased in an old pair of grey breeches that looked as though they were the identical ones worn by Gen. Scott when he was "exposed to the fire in the rear." One end of them was supported by a buckskin strap in the place of a suspender, while one of the legs rested upon the top of the remains of an old boot. His hair so twisted, tangled and matted that it would have frightened the teeth out of a currycomb, and set all tonsorial expectations at defiance, was surmounted by the remains of an old forage cap, which, judging from its appearance, might have been worn at Braddock's defeat. This composed the uniform of the old hero who never surrendered. The "quarters" were in keeping with the garb of the occupant, it being a rough log cabin about 16 feet square with a hole in one side, called a door, and destitute of floor or chimney. In one corner lay a pile of sacks filled with provisions for the troops, in another a stack of guns of all sizes, sorts and caliber, from the old French musket down to the fancy silver-mounted sporting rifle, while in the third sat an old camp kettle, a frying pan, a coffee pot minus a spout, about a dozen old banged-up tin cups, four pack saddles, a dirty shirt, one old shoe, and a moccasin. The fourth corner occupied by a pair of blankets said to be the Genl.'s bed, and on a projecting puncheon just over it lay some articles said to be ammunition for the stomach in the shape of a chunk of raw beef and a wad of dirty dough. In the center of the "quarters" was a space about four feet square for the accommodation of guests. Such being the luxuries of a general's quarters, you may judge something how privates have fared in the war. "SOCKS."
Oregon
Statesman, Oregon
City, September 27, 1853, page 2Superintendent Dart--A Lie Nailed.
The following correspondence will explain itself. The opponent of Gov.
Lane was Mr. Skinner, an agent of Supt. Dart, and hence the slander
against the latter-named worthy officer. Sat. Clark,
during the session of the late legislature in this state, retailed
similar slanders against Mr. Dart. Owing to their origin, however,
little or no credit was attached to them.
Mr. Dart, we learn, is about sailing for Europe. Washington,
Sept. 5, 1853.
Sir--I am
informed from what appears to be a
reliable source that Gov. Joseph Lane while canvassing for reelection
as delegate to Congress stated publicly both at Salem and Albany in
Oregon in May last that I was guilty of having used government money
for private purposes, and that I was a defaulter to the government for
a
large amount &c.Will you please to inform me whether Gov. Lane derived information from the Indian Office that would warrant the above statement? If not, whether there is any evidence of the truth of such a statement in your office? I have the honor to remain, very respectfully, your obt. servt. Anson Dart
The Hon. Commissioner of Indian Affairs, Washington.Late Supt. of Ind. Affrs. Oregon ----
Watertown Chronicle,
Watertown, Wisconsin, September 28, 1853, page 3Department of the
Interior,
Sir--In reply to your letter of the 5th inst. I have to state that I
have no knowledge of the charges which you state were made against you
by Gov. Joseph Lane during his recent canvass for election as delegate
to Congress from Oregon.Office of Indian Affairs, September 12, 1853 I am not aware to what extent Gov. Lane obtained information in relation to the state of your accounts with the government before left here for Oregon. He was probably aware of the amount of public money charged to you, for which you had not then accounted, and also of charges which had been made against you of misapplication of public money, and other acts of malfeasance. Information was sought by this office as to the truth of these charges, but that obtained, it is due to you to state, did not sustain them. A person in your position cannot properly be called a defaulter until his accounts have been finally settled and he fails to pay over such balance as is found against him. Yours have not yet been finally settled, and I am not yet able to say what will be the result as between you and the government. The balance, however, either way will be but a small one. Very respectfully, your obt. servant, Charles E. Mix,
Anson Dart, Esq., late Supt. &c.Acting Commissioner Complimentary.
The Statesman has
the following:--
Gens. Lane and Alden--Gentlemen,--The undersigned, on the point of being discharged from the service, cannot permit the occasion to pass without taking this public manner of expressing our warmest thanks and profound obligations, for the sympathy and forbearance that you have manifested towards us on all occasions while under your commands; also for the prompt and efficient aid that you rendered us and the citizens of Rogue River Valley, generally, during our late Indian war. May your wounds, honorably gained in the front of the fight, speedily heal, your health restored, and live long to enjoy the society of your families and numerous friends. Most affectionately yours, &c., Capt. J. K. Lamerick And Company. At a meeting of the "Mounted Rangers," at Jacksonville, Sept. 10th, 1853, a copy of the above letter was unanimously voted should be presented to Gens. Lane and Alden, respectively. Gens J. Lane and B. R. Alden--Dear Sirs,--In common with the troops who have so nobly aided us, and the citizens, without exception, permit me to gladly add my hearty concurrence in the above sentiments. Respectfully your friend, Edward Sheil, M.D. Oregon Weekly Times, Portland, October 1, 1853, page 2 Gen. Joseph Lane.
"The
'quarters' were in keeping with the
garb of the
occupant, it being a rough log cabin about 16 feet square with a hole
in one side, called a door, and destitute of floor or chimney. In one
corner lay a pile of sacks filled with provisions for the troops, in
another a stack of guns of all sizes, sorts and caliber, from the old
French musket down to the fancy silver-mounted sporting rifle, while in
the third sat an old camp kettle, a frying pan, a coffee pot minus a
spout, about a dozen old banged-up tin cups, four pack saddles, a dirty
shirt, one old shoe, and a moccasin.
The fourth corner occupied by a pair of blankets said to be the
General's
bed, and on a projecting puncheon just over it lay some articles said
to be ammunition for the stomach in the shape of a chunk of raw beef
and a wad of dirty dough. In the center of the 'quarters' was a space
about four feet square for the accommodation of guests."In the Camp, the Field of Battle--in the State Senate--as Governor-- as Delegate to Congress-as a Citizen in Private Life.
Gen. Lane, in every place which he has been tried, in every position he
has occupied, has given abundant proofs of possessing the qualities of
a great man. When in early years he was a clerk in an attorney's
office, he learned to write an excellent hand. When a boatman on the
Ohio and Mississippi, he was an expert in the business. When a member
of the Indiana State Senate, his policy relieved the state of her
pecuniary embarrassment, and saved her the opprobrium of repudiation.
When commissioned by President Polk as a General of the Army in Mexico,
his gallant service gave him the honorable sobriquet of the "Marion of
the Mexican War." When sent to Oregon as the first civil Governor, with
a new and sparsely inhabited territory, to organize a government out of
the various scattered material then here, he proved a most wise and
efficient officer.
When, for political bias, he was removed by President Taylor, he was the same practical, go-ahead man. His mills at Oregon City were kept in operation, notwithstanding the value of lumber had depreciated, while he, with lion heart and muscular arm, found his way to the mines of California, where alone, for months, he plied the pick and shovel for an honest subsistence. And when, in the spring of 1851, he returned to Oregon, he was elected by an overwhelming majority as Delegate to Congress, many anxious eyes were turned upon him, and much solicitation was felt as to how he would discharge the new duties confided to him in a sphere where he was to be surrounded, and to combat on the floor of Congress with the ablest of intellect to be found in the Union. In this he proved equally fortunate as upon other occasions, when entering upon new and responsible duties full of intricacy, and requiring thought, tact and sound ability. In proof of this we have only to triumphantly refer to the history of the last two sessions of Congress. The division of the Territory, the confirmation of our laws--thereby saving us from the wildest anarchy and civil war; the amendments to the Land Law in favor of widows and mechanics, as also the extensions of its provisions to 1855--enabling settlers for two years more to take up land. Look, also, at the appropriation of $40,000 for military roads in Oregon, which are now being surveyed by [the] government, as well as other appropriations amounting in all to over $200,000--thrice as much as any other Delegate was able to get for any of their respective Territories. And to illustrate his successful efforts on the floor of Congress, we prefer giving an extract from a letter written to us by an old Oregonian, from Washington, and who was present when the bill for dividing the Territory came up, and one, too, who had previously a strong prejudice against Gen. Lane. The scene is well described: "WASHINGTON
CITY, Feb. 8, 1853.
"Editor of Oregon
Times:"* * * At 10 o'clock I called upon our Delegate from Oregon, and was politely and most cordially received by him. After the solicitous inquiries respecting old friends and acquaintances in Oregon, Gen. Lane remarked to me that the 'Oregon Land Law' would come up today in the House, and also the proposition to divide the Territory. I at once determined to go to the House and see for myself how we were represented. Our Delegate in the morning manifested a great deal of anxiety, and sent his friend and little son to request, as a special favor, that certain members whom he knew to be friendly to Oregon, and had assisted him thus far in his efforts for Oregon, would not forsake him in the hour of trial. We went at an early hour to the House, and our Delegate was not idle. He besought of one, as a favor, that he would not oppose this bill; of another, that he would give it his cordial support; another, to help get it through as a matter of importance to the welfare of the Territory. "To accomplish this, he was in his place an hour in advance of the time for the House to meet. The House met, and our Delegate continued his labors, going from member to member, while the Journal was being read; and up to the time the Oregon Bill was announced by the Speaker, in an instant not less than ten voices shouted, "Mr. Speaker!" The Speaker gave the floor to Mr. Jones, of Tenn., who withdrew the objections which he had previously made to the bill. There were several attempts made to stave off the question, but it was evident that the silent and personal efforts of Gen. Lane had secured a reliable support, and every division and vote showed that he was gaining his point. He was also ready to put in a short speech at the right point--which told, for I noticed when the Chairman announced that the gentleman from Oregon had the floor, that the members laid aside their newspapers to listen--and all appeared not only willing, but anxious to hear all that he had to say. I am fully satisfied that the influence of our Delegate is more than that of any other man that could be sent, from what I saw in his management of his Land Bill, and the Division of the Territory. "I had, with many others of our citizens, been under the impression that our Delegate was not doing for us as much as we expected of him. In this impression, I am frank to acknowledge I was very wrong. I believe he is doing all in his power for our Territory--and is doing more in proportion for us than any other Delegate for any other Territory can do. He says but little, but acts the more--and was listened to with more attention than any member I heard speak in the House. * * * G." Gen. Lane's habits of simplicity in the camp, and his daring gallantry on the field of battle, is coeval with the history of the Mexican War, but here is a picture of the citizen-soldier who, on the first alarm of Indian depredations, volunteered his services, as drawn by a correspondent of the Statesman, who writes from Jacksonville, Sept. 13th: "Never having seen Gen. Lane, my curiosity prompted me to visit his camp day before yesterday. Having seen generals in the States togged out in epaulets, gold lace, cocked hats and long, shining swords, I expected to find something of the kind at 'headquarters.' But fancy my surprise on being introduced to a robust, good-looking middle-aged man, with his right arm in a sling, the shirt sleeve slit open and dangling bloody from his shoulder, his nether extremities cased in an old pair of grey breeches that looked as though they were the identical ones worn by Gen. Scott when he was 'exposed to the fire in the rear.' One end of them was supported by a buckskin strap in the place of a suspender, while one of the legs rested upon the top of the remains of an old boot. His hair so twisted, tangled and matted that it would have frightened the teeth out of a currycomb, and set all tonsorial expectations at defiance, was surmounted by the remains of an old forage cap, which, judging from its appearance, might have been worn at Braddock's defeat. This composed the uniform of the old hero who never surrendered. We have deemed this a fit occasion to make these remarks--for it is a time when all reasonable and order-loving citizens should know him as he is, and judge of his acts in candor. He having had the chief command in this late Indian war, and conquered a peace, proceeded with the Indian Superintendent and Agent to make treaties of peace. These treaties are denounced by an unscrupulous few, who express a wish to exterminate the Indian tribes, but whom report says are not to be found when the real fighting comes on. The great mass of the people in Rogue River Valley are well satisfied with the treaties--and those harebrained outlaws who cry extermination at all hazards ought to be treated with that contempt which their acts deserve. To illustrate Gen. Lane's promptitude in performing his public trusts, we instance his determination not to return to his home, but to proceed directly on to Washington by way of California, in order to be at his post there in Congress on the first Monday in December next. To all such in this valley who wished to see him on his way to Washington--and who had anxiously awaited his return to pay him their respects on that occasion--we would suggest that however pleasant to him and his friends this might have been, public duty to his constituents induces him to do otherwise, at a sacrifice of not visiting his own family. If they are not to see him, others have no reason to complain--and under such circumstances, we are willing to trust his judgment in the matter, in preference to anyone's else. Those who denounce General Lane--and seize on every opportunity to torture his virtues into vices, and who characterize his energy, patriotism and industry with the epithets of inability, selfishness and inattention--let them howl upon his track. His strong right arm--although twice wounded in the service of his country--once at Buena Vista and recently in leading a charge upon the hostile Indians--is yet strong--and guided by a heart that knows no fear, and a will that knows no obstacles, a judgment sound and discreet, which he amply possesses--the citizens of Oregon need have no fears that their rights and interests suffer at his hands in any emergency. While Gen. Lane has won the reputation of a brave soldier--and a judicious and successful statesman--in social and private life he is affable, without ostentation, and commands the respect of even his opponents. Such is the Delegate which Oregon sends back to Washington the second time--and one [of] which the citizens of Oregon may well [be] proud. Oregon Weekly Times, Portland, October 1, 1853, page 2 The Indian War.
"When
he was seen within their breastworks every lip
pronounced his name--Jo Lane, Jo Lane--and every swarthy cheek was
bathed in tears. The wounded ceased their groaning and the wild Indian
of the mountains slunk behind a bush or log in fear and awe. He
appeared to them as a savior--in him alone could they confide--only Jo
Lane could they trust. Old Joe (tyee) advanced to meet him and tell his
story of the war. He said his tribe did not commence the war, on the
contrary, when they refused to join the Shastas in their war with the
whites, they notified the settlers of their danger; that the murders
were commenced by the Shastas; that it was not until the whites had
shot or hung 14 of his tribe, many of whom were pet servants of the
town, who were guilty of no offense, did he consent to the war."
The Indian Superintendent, Gen. Palmer, has returned--and in a
conversation we had with him recently we learn that the Indian
difficulties had been peaceably settled by treaty. Taylor's tribe only
remained to be treated with--but owing to the treachery which the
whites had shown them, it was doubtful what the result might be with
them. Gen. Lane had gone to have a talk with them--he has the
confidence of the Indians, and can exert more influence over them than
anyone else. This was shown to be the case in making the treaties with
the other tribes. A correspondent of the Statesman [on
October 27, 1853, page 2] in describing Lane's first interview with the
hostile Indians has the following:
The substantial men are satisfied with the treaty--but a few reckless men evince a determination to shoot every Indian, regardless of the treaty. The Indian Department have not yet received any of the appropriations--and consequently the agents cannot act as ineffectually as they otherwise might. The Indians did not give up all their guns in the treaty--because they feared unscrupulous whites would butcher them. The following is the treaty for their lands: Treaty with Rogue River Indians
for the Sale of Lands.
Oregon Weekly Times, Portland,
October 1, 1853, page 2
ART.
2.--The Rogue
River
tribe of Indians do
hereby cede and relinquish, for the considerations hereinafter
specified,
to the U.S.A., all their right, title, interest and claim to
all the lands lying in that part of the Territory of Oregon, bounded by
lines designated as follows; to wit: Commencing at a point
one mile below the mouth of Applegate Creek, on the south side of Rogue
River; running thence southerly to the high lands dividing the waters
of
Applegate and Althouse Creeks, thence along said
highlands to the summit of the Siskiyou Range of mountains; thence
easterly to Pilot Rock; thence northeasterly to the summit of the
Cascade Range of mountains; thence northerly along the said Cascade
Range to Pitt's
Peak, continuing northeasterly to Rogue River; thence westerly to the
headwaters of Jump-off Joe Creek; thence down said creek to the
intersection of the same with a line due north from the place of
beginning, thence to the place of beginning.
ART. 2.--It is agreed on the part of the U.S.A., that the aforesaid tribe of Indians shall be allowed to occupy, temporarily, that portion of the above-described tract of territory bounded as follows, to wit: Commencing on the north side of Rogue River at the mouth of Evans Creek, thence up said creek to the upper end of a small prairie, bearing in [a] northwesterly direction from Table Mountain or Upper Table Rock, thence through the gap to the south side of the cliff of said mountain, thence in a line to Rogue River, striking the southern base of Lower Table Rock, thence down said river to [the] place of beginning. It being understood that this last described tract of land shall be deemed and considered an Indian reserve until a suitable selection shall be made by the direction of the President of the U.S. for their permanent residence, buildings erected thereon, and provisions made for their removal. ART. 3.--For and in consideration of the cession and relinquishment, contained in Art. 1, the U.S.A. agree to pay to the aforesaid tribe the sum of sixty thousand dollars, fifteen thousand dollars to be retained, according to the stipulations of Art. 4, of a "Treaty of Peace, made and entered into [on] the 8th day of September, between Gen. Joseph Lane, commanding forces of Oregon Territory, and Joe, principal chief of the Rogue River tribe of Indians; Sam, subordinate chief, and Jim, subordinate chief, on the part of the tribes under their jurisdiction,", by the Supt. of Indian Affairs for payment of the property of the whites destroyed by them during the war, the amount of which property destroyed to be estimated by three disinterested commissioners, to be appointed by the Supt. of Indian Affairs. Five thousand dollars to be expended in the purchase of agricultural implements, blankets, clothing and such other goods as may be deemed by the Supt. of Indian Affairs or agent most conducive to the comfort and necessities of said tribe, on or before the first day of September 1854, and for the payment of such permanent improvements as may have been made by land claimants situated on the aforesaid reserve. The remaining forty thousand dollars to be paid in sixteen annual installments of two thousand five hundred dollars each (commencing on or about the 1st day of September 1854), in blankets, clothing, farming utensils, stock and such other articles as may be deemed most conducive to the interests of the said tribe. ART. 4.--It is further agreed that there shall be erected, at the expense of the U.S., three dwelling houses, one for each of the three principal chiefs of the aforesaid tribe, the cost of which shall not exceed five hundred dollars each, the said buildings to be erected as soon after the ratification of this treaty as practicable. And when the tribe may be removed to another reserve, buildings and other improvements shall be made upon such reserve, of equal value to those which they shall relinquish. And upon such removal, in addition to the before mentioned sixty thousand dollars, the U.S. agree to pay the further sum of fifteen thousand dollars in five equal annual installments, commencing at the expiration of the before named installments. [Article 5
omitted.]
ART.
6.--That
the friendship
which is now
established between the U.S. and the Rogue River tribe of
Indians shall not be interrupted by the misconduct of individuals, it
is
hereby agreed that for injuries done by individuals no private revenge
or retaliation shall take place, but instead therefor complaint shall
be
made to the Indian agent by the injured party. And it shall be the duty
of the chiefs of the said tribe to deliver up the person or persons
against whom the
complaint is made, to the end that he or they may be punished agreeably
to the laws of the U.S. And in like manner if any violation,
robbery or murder shall be committed on any Indian or Indians
belonging to said tribe, the person or persons so offending shall be
tried, and if found guilty shall be punished according to the laws of
the U.S. And it is agreed that the chiefs of said tribe
shall to the uttermost of their power exert themselves to recover
horses
or other property which are or may be stolen or taken from any citizen
or citizens of the U.S. by any individual or individuals of said tribe,
and
the property so recovered shall be forthwith delivered to the Indian
agent or other person authorized to receive the same, that it may be
restored to the proper owner. And the U.S. hereby guarantee to
any Indian or Indians of the said tribe a full indemnification for any
horses or other property which may be stolen from them by any citizen
of the U.S. Providing that the property stolen or taken cannot
be recovered and that sufficient proof is produced that it was actually
stolen or taken by a citizen of the U.S. And the chiefs and
headmen of the said tribe engage, on the requisition or demand of the
President of the U.S., Supt. of Indian Affairs, or
Indian agent, to deliver up any white person or persons resident among
them.ART. 7.--The said tribe of Indians further agree to give safeguard to all persons who may be authorized by the U.S. to pass through their reserve, and to protect in their person and property all agents or other persons sent by the U.S. to reside among them. They further agree not to molest or interrupt any white person passing through their reserve. ART. 8.--This treaty shall take effect and be obligatory on the contracting parties as soon as the same shall have been sanctioned by the President of the U.S. by and with the advice and consent of the Senate. In testimony whereof the said Joel Palmer and Samuel H. Culver, on the part of the U.S., and the chiefs and headmen of the Rogue River tribe of Indians aforesaid have hereunto set their hands and seals the day and year aforesaid. Signed in the presence of
J. W. Nesmith )
R. B. Metcalfe ) Interpreters John ) J. D. Mason ) T. T. Tierney ) Secretaries Joseph Lane ) August V. Kautz ) Witnesses
Joel
Palmer, Supt. Ind.
Affrs.
S. H. Culver, Indian Agent
Jo
Aps er-ka har
Sam To qua he-ar Jim Ana-cha-a-rah John Limpy Marshal Nesmith, who commanded the fast b'hoys during the Rogue River war, of whom a correspondent says "were neither cowards nor gentlemen," has returned to the discharge of his civil duty. We have no doubt that Capt. Nesmith and the company under his command would have done good service if Gen. Lane had not agreed upon an armistice with the Indians before their arrival. This company went out to fight, and not to contribute to the political capital of Jo Lane, the "favorite of the Indians." It is therefore not strange that they should become disgusted and return when they saw which way the wind was blowing. Whether the marshal was shot or not we cannot say. If he was, we are quite sure it was neither in the back or the neck. Weekly Oregonian, Portland, October 8, 1853, page 2 Return of Gen. Lane--Matters
South.
Gen. Lane very
unexpectedly returned to this place on Tuesday, and on Thursday
proceeded down the valley on his way to Washington. He will leave on
the first steamer.
His return through the Willamette was unexpected to himself, expecting to be detained in Rogue River too late to permit him to pass this way, and so advising his friends in the valley. But the arrival of Col. Wright with four companies of U.S. infantry of twenty men each, earlier than was anticipated, induced him to gratify his anxious wish to visit his family and his friends in this part of the Territory. His wound has nearly healed, though he has not yet recovered the use of his arm. In other respects he is in excellent health and spirits. Col. Wright is preparing winter quarters for his men, and will remain in the country for the present. These forces will do much towards preventing aggressions, and preserving peace. Three of the companies are from Benicia, in command of Maj. Patton, the poet and soldier; the other is from Fort Reading, the whole under command of Col. Wright, an experienced and efficient officer. Gen. Lane had with him, and will take to Washington, a sprightly Indian lad of sixteen or seventeen years, an only son of "Joe," the head chief of the Rogue River tribes. He was given to him by his father as a hostage and a guarantee that his people should observe the treaty. He said "as proof that I have confidence in you, and that I intend to observe the treaty in good faith, I give you my only son, who is dearer to me than life, to take with you to the States, and if I violate the treaty you have permission to hang him." He will be brought back by Gen. Lane when he returns, and restored to his people, and his visit to Washington and return among the Indians must have a great moral effect upon them. Before leaving Gen. Lane, accompanied by two men, went into the mountains to have a "talk" with "Tipsey," the chief of the Klamaths, who is supposed to have done much towards inciting the recent hostilities. After much difficulty they found him, among the mountains and in the heart of a dense forest, with forty or fifty warriors of his tribe. They sent a messenger to him, telling him that they had come to hold a "talk" and make peace. He informed them that he would meet them the next day at a place named, and still more strongly guarded against surprise and attack, he fearing that was meditated. After a hard day's ride on the following day they reached the spot designated, and the General and his men approached "Tipsey's" camp. The General asked him if his heart was good, and disposed to peace? He replied that he didn't know, that that depended on their hearts; if their hearts were good, his was good; if theirs were bad, his was bad. The General camped with him during the night, and remained the next day having a talk with him, returning, a day or two after he went back, and a permanent peace was agreed upon. "Tipsey" was very timid, and afraid of being betrayed. Everything was quiet when Gen. Lane left; the people were fast returning to their employments, and the country resuming its wonted business appearance. Oregon Statesman, Oregon City, October 11, 1853, page 2 NOBLE AND DISINTERESTED CONDUCT.--Gen. Lane left his home without a moment's hesitation upon receiving intelligence of the Indian outbreak in Rogue River, was placed in command of the forces employed, fought gallantly at their head receiving a severe wound, assisting in conquering and concluding a peace, and remained till the latest moment upon the ground, endeavoring to secure the observance of its terms; when he resigned his post, charging not a dime for his services. It is fact we learned not from him but from an equally reliable source, that he claimed no pay, and permitted no charge to be made. How unlike the federal officials here, of times past, who clutched at every dollar that came within their grasp, and suffered no opportunity to deplete the public treasury to pass unimproved. Oregon Statesman, Oregon City, October 11, 1853, page 2
Gen.
Lane, contrary to our expectations, came to this city last week and
remained several days. He was in the city, however, more than a day
before we heard of it, as there was no public demonstration to welcome
him on his arrival. We suppose he wished to avoid making a speech. It
probably would be better for him to reserve his powder and keep it dry,
for there will be a great deal expected of him when he returns to
Congress. He has made many pledges.
"Items Local and Personal," Oregon Spectator, Oregon City, October 13, 1853, page 3 Headquarters
Camp
Alden,
September 5, 1853. General Order.
Capt. Goodall, of the Yreka Volunteers, and Capt. Rhodes, of the Humbug
Volunteers, will march their respective commands to Yreka today, where
they will muster them out of the service of the United States.In taking leave of these troops,the General commanding takes occasion to testify his admiration of their courage and general good conduct while in the service. JOS. LANE, Gen. Commanding. Oregon Weekly Times, Portland, October 15, 1853, page 2 Gov. Lane's Reception Speech at
Portland.
In a late number of the Oregonian
we observe an article headed "Gen. Lane's Egotism,"
which goes on to republish the pretended
speech of
Gov. Lane at his reception in Portland on his return to Oregon last
May. To this reiterated false report of his remarks, it attaches the
editorial comments of one or two Whig papers in the States.
We heard Gov. Lane's remarks at the time, and gave the substance of them in the Times of May 21st, and have never yet heard that our report was incorrect. We noticed, the same week, that the Oregonian contained a short paragraph, purporting to be something that Gov. Lane had said in the course of his remarks but, supposing it an electioneering argument of the Oregonian, and having given the substance of the speech correctly at the time, we did not think it worthy the trouble of refutation, nor feel disposed to rob the opposition of Oregon of any crumb of comfort they might fancy having obtained by putting words into Gov. Lane's mouth which he did not say. Nor would we now notice it but for the reason that the Oregonian, after four or five months, re-echoes the same, with the strictures of the Whig papers, and heralding them as the general sentiment of people at home. The commencement of the copying this pretended speech from the Oregonian in the States was in this wise: The editor of the Evansville Journal, published at Gov. Lane's place of residence in Indiana--a Whig paper--and its editor, always notorious for his abuse of Gov. Lane, even when fighting gallantly the battles of his country in Mexico, on receiving a copy of the Oregonian of May 21st, eagerly clipped this pretended speech and published it, remarking that it was taken from an Oregon paper which supported Gov. Lane! The friends of Gov. Lane anxiously sought for a copy of the Times, knowing its early and warm support of Gov. Lane, and they there found the true report of his speech on that occasion--but containing not one word about President Pierce's intimations as reported. There was evidently something wrong, but as misrepresentation is always doomed to detection and discomfiture, so it was in this case. The editor of the Journal, after clipping this article from the Oregonian, gave it away, with other exchanges, to be used in a reading room, where it was discovered by Gov. Lane's friends, which solved the mystery to their satisfaction. And when the editor of the Journal was charged by the Democratic paper in the same place with intentionally publishing a downright falsehood by saying that it was from a paper in Gov. Lane's support, he never denied it, and consequently the willful and deliberate lie was fastened directly on him. And now, forsooth, the Dayton Gazette, another Whig print, seeing fit to copy the article from the Evansville Journal, the Oregonian, proud of his bantling, republishes it, with the remarks those editors have seen to make! Such is the true history of this whole farce and parade--and really such subterfuge looks badly when exposed. Gen. Lane's reputation will never suffer if nothing but the truth is reported of him. He stands beyond the reach of the arrows of assault and detraction--and the Oregonian's recent allusion to his "scratch" received in the Rogue River War is quite uncalled for and ungenerous upon a man who periled life and received the enemy's ball directly through his arm, near the armpit--and who yet is suffering from its effects. Then, too, for his two months services in the war--although commissioned by the Governor of Oregon, as General, he did not receive or charge a dime for his services--but when the war was over resigned his commission into the hands of the Governor of Oregon. Those who have been pleased to trifle with his proud title, "The Marion of the Mexican War"--by deriding it as the Mary-ann, and the Gassy-ann, perhaps are not aware the title of "Marion of the Mexican War" was conferred on him in Mexico by General Scott--and that he has been proud to claim the honor of having so conferred it, not many months ago, in the presence of a company of distinguished statesmen--nevertheless such are the facts. Then, how utterly contemptible do such attempts at caricature and detraction appear to all sensible and well-disposed men, and how flat and insipid they fall upon the ear--not even possessing interest enough to tickle a child while reading them over for amusement. Oregon Weekly Times, Portland,
October 15, 1853, page 2
An
unpublished account of the Rogue River war, and incidents connected
therewith, is promised us. The author says there was another person
figured in the war. He is known out there by the name of Capt. Alden.
He is just the man, he says, for almost any emergency, and has a heart
as big as a mountain. He thinks there is not much éclat to
be gained in
an Indian fight nohow, but if there be never so little it ought not to
be wrongfully appropriated. A stranger would think, on reading the
accounts already given, that there was no person else there except Gen.
Lane. He did all the fighting--he did all the wawa-ing and per
consequence he ought to have all the credit. This self-glorification
appears cool to
us.
Oregon Spectator, Oregon City, October 20, 1853, page 2 General Lane.
Oregon
Spectator, Oregon City, October 20, 1853, page 2
The person whose name heads this article has been selected by the
sovereigns of Oregon to represent them in Congress. It is no part of
our purpose to detract from his usefulness, or in any way compromise
his influence. He was elected by a decisive majority, and although he
was not our choice, we hope he may make a good representative, and
attend strictly to the wants of Oregon. There is some reason for his
constituents expecting more of him the coming Congress than he
performed before. His influence
was
needed in electing President Pierce. This monopolized a good deal of
his time, as well as that of a great many other Congressmen.
The General stands pledged to many things, we fear, that he has forgotten, and which were not properly weighed by him when they were made. He seemed willing at the time to subscribe to almost anything that was proposed, no matter whether it ever had entered into his thoughts or not. We can assure him that the people expect much at his hands. They think that the President must do without his services this Congress. He draws his pay for looking after Oregon interests and the people have a right to his services, yes, to his most energetic endeavors. We shall hold ourself in readiness to uphold him in all that is right, proper and useful for Oregon, and if he fails to redeem his pledges, we shall remind him of them in order that he cannot come off with the excuse that they were overlooked or forgotten by him. It is our duty to watch him, and we will do it with an open eye--to report progress and see that he does his whole duty. He is the servant of the people, and to them is he accountable. His apologizers and defenders, as well as his eulogists, must expect that his acts will be closely scrutinized. If they will not stand the test of criticism, it will be his fault. It is not our wish nor purpose to carp at the little things in the conduct of our public officers. It is our wish that they may all be useful. But if the General renders himself ridiculous again, as he did on his return the last time to Portland, he must expect to be handled in a manner as such folly deserves. We court no attack upon any of our officers, but we shall shrink from no responsibility when the course of any of them invite censure. We shall pursue a different course from that of the opposition press, when the Whigs were in power. They, the opposition, went upon the principle that there was no virtue out of the pale of the so-called Democracy. And he that refused to bray out against the Whigs was a soft or an unsound Democrat, and only fit to be anathematized as a traitor and a dishonest man. The opposition has set a very bad example; too mean to be followed, and totally unworthy of a free and enlightened people. In a recent battle with the Rogue River Indians, Gen. Lane was shot through the shoulder. The struggle, being somewhat decisive, induced the savages to sue for peace, which was granted. . . . Gen. Lane received the son of "Joe," a head chief of the Rogue River tribe, as a hostage for the observance of treaty stipulations. It is his intention to take the boy to Washington City with him, as per suggestion of the father. The moral influence of the act, it is presumed, will be highly useful in keeping down future difficulties. "Further News from Oregon," Sacramento Daily Union, October 24, 1853, page 3 Gen. Lane has sold his property in this place--one half the Island Mills--to Messrs. Guthrie and Farrar, of Portland, and the company is now composed of those two gentlemen and Jno. McCracken, the General's son, "Nat," having also sold. Letter from Oregon City dated October 27, 1853, Oregon Statesman, Oregon City, November 1, 1853, page 2 Many years ago I interviewed John McCracken, who came from Stockton to Oregon in 1850. He bought an interest in the Island Mills at Oregon City, his partners being General Joseph Lane, Oregon's first territorial governor, and his son. High water wrecked the flour mill. They had in their warehouse a large amount of wheat for which they had paid $5 a bushel, but by the time they had rebuilt the mill, flour had dropped from $40 a barrel to $10 a barrel. McCracken turned over his interest in the mill to pay his debts. "Fred Lockley's Impressions," Oregon Journal, Portland, May 4, 1947, page 16 GOVERNOR OF OREGON.--The Washington Union, of the 11th, has the official announcement of the appointment of John W. Davis, of Indiana, to be Governor of Oregon, in the place of Joseph Lane, resigned. Oregon Spectator, Oregon
City, November 5, 1853, page 2
Gen. Lane, we understand, is pledged to a division of Oregon Territory. A new Territory, South, will be asked from the general government, through him, at the coming session of Congress. Our informant states that he committed himself during the last canvass to that effect. He has many promises to redeem, and the one mentioned above has remained in darkness here up to this time. Oregon Spectator, Oregon
City, November 5, 1853, page 2
The Rogue River Indian war, as you long since have known, has been brought to an end. Capt. Sully's company F, of the 2nd Infantry, are the only troop which return to Benicia to pass the winter. The rest are posted at Forts Jones and Lane, not to protect the hardy, valiant, daredevil, double-fisted, bone and sinew pioneer from the attack of Joe's tribe, but rather to prevent the free and enlightened from butchering in cold blood the red man when he resents the vilest impositions of slavery and debauchery that are forced upon him. The poor politician has a hard row to hoe in our community, and as an example General Lane in his late remarks on these troubles while in San Francisco had to deny himself the right of reprehension in toto and only indulge in eulogy on that portion upon whom it might fall with most grace. Certain it is, that his remarks were anything but a full exhibit of the true state of the case, or of all his feelings, if we are to judge by reports of officers of the regular army on the ground with him. "Benicia Correspondence," San Diego Herald, November 12, 1853, page 2 Gen. Lane brought with him from Oregon an Indian boy of sixteen or seventeen years of age, the son of "Joe," the head chief of the Rogue River tribes. He was given to him by his father as a hostage and a guarantee that his people should observe the treaty. Gen. Lane on his return to Oregon will return the boy to his father. "News Items," Democratic Sentinel, Cadiz, Ohio, December 14, 1853, page 3 A correspondent of the Commercial, writing from Jacksonville, Sept. 29, says: "The war is supposed to be over--a treaty of peace has been made with the Indians, but it is difficult to surmise how long it will last. The Indians, in fair fighting, have had the advantage, and have astonished all by their bravery and skill. The Indians of this valley are cunning and dauntless--a rifle in their hands is a most formidable weapon, and they fear not to use it whenever circumstances require it. Many of the citizens are dissatisfied with Gen. Lane for having made a treaty so soon with the enemy, but the less rowdy and sanguinary portion of the community are highly pleased with it, and are anxious to exert their influence to have all the conditions of it faithfully fulfilled. Gen. Lane has acted a noble part. Like all brave men, his valor is tempered with clemency and moderation, and his name is so respected even among the hostile tribes, that I believe, except in actual fight, he may travel unmolested through their country alone, and without arms." Indiana Free Democrat, Indianapolis, December 15, 1853, page 3 MARRIED.
On
the --th ult., at the residence of Samuel Stevenson, in Douglas County,
by Judge Deady, Joseph S. Lane, Esq., to Miss Eleanor Stevenson.
Umpqua Weekly Gazette, Scottsburg,
May 19, 1854, page 3
On my way to this city, after having a little row with the Rogue River Indians, I stopped in Oregon City to see my mills. And here I may say that those mills nearly ruined me. Their purchase was the worst thing I ever did. I agreed to give near $100,000 for them. I gave the earnings of twenty years of my life, and have now sold out for one-third what they cost me. I am not now the owner of a single mill. Joseph Lane, "Congressional," Oregon Statesman, Oregon City, July 4, 1854, pages 1-2 Obituary.
We
notice with regret the death of Mr. Theodore T. Tierney, a young man of
much promise, who left this city about five years ago for California,
where he had, up to the period of his decease, met with the most
deserved success. After remaining a few months in California, Mr. T.
went to Southern Oregon, and had been living in Salem but a short time
when he was killed by a fall from his horse. He was a young man of
excellent abilities, honorable principles, and was highly esteemed by
all who knew him. He had acted in the capacity of private secretary to
Gen. Lane during the difficulties with the Rogue River Indians, was
employed by the Oregon
Statesman as reporter of the legislative assembly, and
subsequently filled the office of Territorial Librarian.
New York Herald, July 31, 1854, page 8 MELANCHOLY ACCIDENT.--Theodore T. Tierney, Esq., of Salem, was thrown from his horse, in town on Wednesday last, striking his head upon the ground, producing a violent concussion of the brain, from which he lay insensible until Sunday noon, when he expired. Mr. Tierney, we believe, came to Southern Oregon from California in 1850. During the difficulties with the Rogue River Indians last fall he acted as private secretary to Gen. Lane, and assisted in drawing up the treaties with those Indians, which have been lately ratified by the Senate. He was reporter for the Statesman during the last session of the legislative assembly, at the close of which he was elected Territorial Librarian. Mr. Tierney was a native of New York City, a young man of talent, a good scholar, an easy writer, and an agreeable and trusty friend. Although he had been in Salem but a few months, his companions were many, and warmly attached; they attended at his bedside during this his last illness like brothers, and his last breath and closing eye of death were witnessed by many solicitous of rendering the ultimate service and tribute to a departing associate. The most skillful medical attendancy which he had could not reconstruct the broken organization of the shattered brain, produced by the fall--so he died. Requiescat in pace.--Oregon Statesman. Public Ledger, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, August 5, 1854, page 1 Printed in the Umpqua Weekly Gazette on June 16, 1854, page 2. The Next Delegate in Congress.
In this
number of the Statesman
we
place the name of Gen. Joseph Lane at the masthead as a candidate for
the next Delegate in Congress from Oregon, subject to the decision of
the approaching Democratic convention. We have questioned, and will do,
the propriety of this mode of expressing a preference for candidates
for nomination, in the abstract, and under ordinary circumstances. But
recent occurrences and existing circumstances leave no question as to
the present propriety and justifiableness of this step. The Standard, at
Portland, has been brought out unreservedly for the nomination of Judge
Pratt, one of the candidates whose names will be before the convention.
And not only this, but through it is being waged an ungenerous and
unjust war upon Gen. Lane, another candidate before the convention, and
one who is not here, and cannot be here, to defend himself. That Judge
Pratt is privy to this proceeding is undeniable. So apparent is it that
ten thousand denials would cause nobody to disbelieve it. These being
facts, no liberal-minded man, whoever he may prefer for delegate, will
enter a complaint at the raising of the name of any other candidate.
In '53 our preferences were for the nomination of Judge Deady. Yet we did not deem it proper to raise Judge Deady's name. The canvass was conducted amicably, and with good feeling. So far as we are advised, Judge Deady and the friends of his nomination made no assaults upon Gen. Lane, and the latter gentlemen, and those who preferred him, made, with his privity, none upon Judge Deady. Both were content to leave their claims with their friends, and satisfied that they should support the man of their choice, without traducing and undermining his competitor. Had a system of attack been commenced upon Judge Deady with Gen. Lane's privity and approval, the columns of the Statesman would have done battle for him openly and heartily, and every generous-hearted man, whether preferring Lane or Deady, would have responded "WELL DONE." This system of attack by one candidate for the party's favor upon another is disorganizing in the extreme, and wholly destructive of our harmony and our power as a party. The candidate assailed and maligned may be the choice of the Democratic convention, and then will we find the mouths of the federal enemy filled with complaints and objections furnished by a rival Democratic candidate for the nomination, and thrust at us as Democratic arguments. How are they then to be met? How, indeed, are the men who coined and gave currency to them to meet them, in case the decision of the Democratic convention should make it their duty, as members of the Democratic organization, to support the candidate they had, through the public press, blackballed? In what degree would the support they would then give him compensate for the injury their previous detraction would do him, and the party whose standard bearer he shall have been made? Or if, on the other hand, such dishonorable means should prove successful in the nominating convention, would the unsuccessful feel like yielding that hearty, earnest and active support which the Democratic nomination should command from the humblest and highest member of the party? No Democrat has a right to permit his anxiety for official station to lead him [to] such lengths--to lead him to depreciate and attempt to destroy honorable competitors, and all who seek the perpetuity, harmony and success of our organization will frown upon and protest against such unworthy conduct. We prefer Gen. Lane's nomination because we believe he can be of more service to Oregon in the next Congress than any man who is likely to supersede him. He has been eminently successful in the past, and has the elements of increased success for the future. He has an extensive personal acquaintance with the leading men of the nation, an unbounded personal popularity with all classes, and an enviable national reputation, advantages which no other man among us enjoys to a like extent, advantages which give him an influence and a power at Washington which he has heretofore used in Oregon's behalf, and which he will continue so to use if he continues to represent us. Likewise, we look upon him as possessing greater elements of success at the polls than some others who are competitors for the nomination. We look upon his nomination as equivalent to the success of the Democratic ticket and cause. He is a people's man, of them, like them, and believing in them, and his nomination would receive a hearty response in the cabins of Oregon, and draw from them a warm and conquering support at the ballot box. And this is not an unimportant consideration. He who expects that the next election in Oregon is to be won by the Democracy without an effort, without hard work and hard blows, reads not the signs of the times, or reads them not correctly. With federalism, and its former cooperating isms, we have got to meet its dastardly midnight ally, Know-Nothingism--which skulks and plots and stabs in darkness--and we shall only carry off the victory after a desperate conflict. We have no strength to spare, no votes to throw away, and no labor to dispirit and chill. We want every legislative influence, every vote, and every effort. We want a man who can bring all these out, and we believe Gen. Lane is the man to do it, to save our heretofore triumphant flag from disaster and defeat. Oregon Statesman, Oregon City, March 6, 1855, page 2 GEN. LANE.--The worthy old hero came a passenger on the Columbia, and while the steamer was discharging her freight passed on shore and spent a few hours in our midst, where of course he was the observed of all observers. Gen. Lane is a candidate for re-election as Delegate to Congress from the Territory of Oregon, whither he was now returning after a long absence at Washington City. The General has most efficiently promoted the interests of that Territory in the Congress just closed, and the people of Oregon will probably avail themselves of his eminent services for another term. Crescent City Herald, April
11,
1855, page 2
The Convention, the Nomination,
and the
Ratification.
The Territorial Convention nominated JO. LANE on the first ballot, by
an almost unanimous vote, six only out of fifty-nine voting for anther
person! The proceedings of the body will be found at length in another
column. Everything passed off with the utmost harmony and good feeling.
Gen. Lane, by invitation, addressed the convention in a pleasing and
interesting manner. The convention was largely attended both by
delegates and by the people.
In the evening a ratification meeting was held in the representatives' hall, which was filled to overflowing. Speeches were made by Messrs. Smith, Williams, Nesmith, Waymire, Drew, Jo. Lane, Gibbs, Thayer, King, Mosher, Chadwick, Officer, and others, the speaking continuing until 11 o'clock. The audience was almost wild with enthusiasm and joy, and a determination which makes the Democratic hosts invincible was manifested throughout the evening, and taken home. All resolved to WORK in this crisis, and to bury so deep the corrupt coalition banded against us, so deep that the hand of resurrection will never reach it. Defeat and disgrace to Know-Nothing Whiggery and canting hypocrisy was a decree which went forth from that meeting, and with it went a resolute ardor and stern determination which will only cease its efforts with a brilliant victory on the evening of the first Monday in June. The handwriting is upon the wall, and it reads: "Jo. Lane, a Democratic Legislature, Democratic Prosecutors, and Democratic Everything." Oregon Statesman, Corvallis, April 14, 1855, page 2 OLD JO IN HS OWN COUNTY.--A friend writing from Douglas County says: "Old Jo will carry everything here, Whigs, Freesoilers, Softs and all. I never saw such enthusiasm in my life--Lane here, Lane there, and Lane everywhere." The Democrats of Douglas say they shall give Old Jo the largest majority of any county in the Territory in proportion to the vote cast, and from present indications, we think they are going to do it. They are acquainted there with Gaines' Mrs. Partington exploits in the southern country in the summer of 1851. And they are too well acquainted with him generally to vote for him. ----
"Old Jo will probably
manage to fall off his horse again, as he did two years ago, when he
tumbled from his pony against a tree, hurt his shoulder, and put the
arm in a sling and pretended
that he had been 'shot!'"--Dryer,
at
the Corvallis convention.When the Rogue River war broke out, Gen. Lane, at a moment's warning, hurried to the scene of action, and was foremost and in the thickest fight. In the savage engagement in which Col. Alden fell, as was supposed, mortally wounded, Gen. Lane received a rifle ball in his right arm, the same that was wounded in Mexico in the act of maintaining his country's honor and his country's flag. And at the Know-Nothing Whig convention which nominated Gaines to oppose him, the above cowardly, base, and low-flung falsehood was received with applause! What think you of this, citizens of the Rogue River Valley, whose hearths and homes Gen. Lane volunteered to defend against savage fury! What think the sturdy men who went with Gen. Lane to battle, and who heard him cheering on his men regardless of his bleeding wound? Will you--a single man of you--endorse this cowardly insinuation and vote for Gaines, the nominee of men who cheer such baseness? What think the hardy pioneers and the people of Oregon? Is there not a universal feeling of disgust, and of pity and contempt, for the craven wretch who could utter it, and for the scarcely less base who could cheer? Oregon Statesman, Corvallis, April 28, 1855, page 2 Democrats Attend.
JOSEPH LANE,
Democratic candidate for Delegate, will address his fellow citizens at
the times and places named below:
Pleasant Hill, Lane Co., Thursday, May 10, 1 o'clock p.m. Eugene City, Friday, May 11, 1 o'clock p.m. Calapooia, Linn Co., Saturday, May 12, 1 o'clock p.m. Albany, Monday, May 14, 1 o'clock p.m. Corvallis, Tuesday, May 15, 1 o'clock p.m. Santiam City, Marion Co., Wednesday, May 16, 2 p.m. Franklin Butte, Forks Santiam, Thursday, May 17, 2 p.m. Salem, Friday, May 18, 2 o'clock p.m. Parkersville, Saturday, May 19, 10 o'clock a.m. Champoeg, same day, 5 o'clock p.m. Dallas, Polk Co., Monday, May 21, 1 o'clock p.m. Lafayette, Yamhill County, Tuesday, May 22, 1 p.m. At Smith's blacksmith shop, north fork of Yamhill, Wednesday, May 23, 1 p.m. Tualatin Academy, Forest Grove, Washington County, Thursday, May 24, 1 p.m. Hillsborough, Friday, May 25, 1 p.m. Portland, Saturday, May 26, 1 p.m. Milton, Columbia Co., Monday, May 28, 1 p.m. Columbia Slough, at Lewis Love's, Multnomah County, Wednesday, May 30, 1 p.m. Milwaukie, Thursday, May 31, 1 p.m. Oregon City, Friday, June 1, 1 p.m. Harrison Wright's, Molalla, Saturday, June 2, 1 p.m. The opposing candidate is invited to be present. There are many other places I should like to meet my fellow citizens at, if time would permit, but it will not, and I therefore hope all who can make it convenient will attend at the places named. Oregon Statesman, Corvallis, May 5, 1855, page 2 SANTA ANNA'S SWORD.--During the Mexican War, General Lane attempted to take Santa Anna prisoner. He made a descent upon his quarters, but he had taken alarm, and just before made his escape. In his haste he left all his clothing, his sword, &c. Gen. Lane brought away his sword, and keeps it as a trophy. It is in the possession of his son in this place. It has a solid gold handle, with a sheath plated with the same metal.--Statesman. Umpqua Gazette, Scottsburg, May 19, 1855, page 3 Gen. Lane visited this place a short time ago and made a speech which was Intended to reconcile his friends, but I think he only partially succeeded. There are a good many "soreheads" among the Democrats, and if Gaines would come down here and promise half that Lane did, he would get a strong vote. We are living in hopes of ocean mail service soon. Lane assured me that the steamer might be looked for daily. The excess of his enthusiastic admiration for [Scottsburg] (it was his first visit) probably led him to be more sanguine than he otherwise would have been, and if we see the first steamer by next fall we will be satisfied. "Southern Prospects," Oregon Argus, Oregon City, May 19, 1855, page 4 From
the Statesman extra.
Difficulty Between Gen. Lane and Ex-Gov. Gaines. Dallas,
Polk County,
May 21.
Editor of
the Statesman--There
came very near being a serious difficulty between Gen. Lane and Gaines
here this afternoon, between 4 and 5 o'clock. It arose as follows:
Boise, in addressing the people, referred to Gaines' surrender at
Encarnacion, and his escape in violation of his parole of honor, and
read an extract from C. M. Clay's letter impliedly censuring Gaines for
the manner of his escape. Gaines replied in very abusive and
aggravating language. Gen. Lane then spoke; he quoted Gen. Worth's
report to Major Bliss, in which Worth makes significant mention of the
fact that Gaines surrendered without firing a shot, and Gen. Taylor's
remark that he "would have fought a little, anyhow." Gaines, in reply,
said what Lane had stated was a malicious falsehood. Lane ejaculated,
you are a liar, at the same time rising to his feet. Two men instantly
grasped him about the arms and chest and held him firmly, while others
rushed before him. While
Lane was
thus held Gaines
struck at him without in any manner marking him. All the Know Nothings
present instantly gave the distress alarm (the cry given when one of
their members is in difficulty) and rushing up hurried Gaines out of
harm's way. Gen. Lane told them to leave Gaines there and they would
settle the difficulty on the spot. While Gaines was being hauled off
(very willingly) from the crowd, on seeing Nesmith, he asked him if the
"Democracy of his damned county was going to murder him."Gen. Lane behaved with coolness and dignity throughout the affair, and regretted its occurrence. His eyes flashed anger at the conduct of Gaines in striking at him while he was held, and he struggled hard to disengage himself and reach Gaines, and if he had succeeded in doing so, Gaines would have paid dearly for that act. Gaines was very much excited and boisterously profane. He is extremely petulant and ill-natured, and daily gets more so as the canvass progresses. There were a large number of Know Nothings here from Yamhill and Marion counties. In haste, yours [no signature] Umpqua Gazette, Scottsburg, June 2, 1855, page 3 Gen. Joseph Lane.
We
place at our masthead today the name of Gen. Joseph Lane, of Oregon, as
a candidate for President of the United States, before the Democratic
National Convention to be held in Cincinnati next spring. We know that
he has many warm friends and supporters for the high position among the
leading Democratic statesmen of the nation, who look confidently and
cheeringly for his nomination, and we believe the selection of the old
war chief would be responded to by the voting millions with an
enthusiasm, ardor and devotion equaled only by that which followed
Andrew Jackson. Like him, Gen. Lane is invincible, in war or in
peace--upon the "tented field," or in the political arena. He never
capitulated and never was conquered upon either.
Jo Lane is the very man for the crisis, just the man to reunite and lead to victory the scattered but now gathering hosts of Democracy. Under his victorious banner the sturdy Democracy of Oregon have, after one of the most excited and hotly contested canvasses the Union ever witnessed, this week routed, with Waterloo slaughter, with a victory as signal and overwhelming as that which carried President Pierce into power, the combined forces of Know-Nothingism, anti-Nebraskaism and Whiggery, and started the list of Democratic triumphs and Fusion defeats which are certain to overtake the "madness which rules the hour." Make Jo Lane the Democratic standard bearer for 1856, and the battle is already half fought and won. Federalism, under whatever or however many disguises, would be borne down by the restless tide of his popularity and the eternal truths of the Democratic faith. The nation is studded all over with his gallant companions in arms on Mexico's fields, who would be wild with enthusiasm at the nomination of the old hero they honor and love, the scarred veteran who, among "the bravest of the brave," won the proud name of the "Marion of the Mexican War" by deeds of daring and duty. As a soldier or civilian, America holds not a truer patriot than Jo Lane; as a statesman, she has none of more national, liberal and correct principles, and none truer to the Constitution and the Union; as a man, as "Old Joe," a warmer-hearted, whole-souled, generous gentleman never breathed the breath of life. He is one of nature's noblemen. He is a true specimen of an American, and an American chieftain and statesman. He has come up unaided by wealth or rank, from humble life, through force of native talent, unconquerable energy and an indomitable will. He is emphatically a self-made man, and made not amiss. He has proved himself equal to any position he has ever been placed in, and any emergency which has arisen. Whether at the head of an army in Mexico, or a band of frontiersmen in a border Indian war, in the executive chair, or on the floor of Congress, he has shown himself all the post required, and all the occasion called for. And he is equal to an able, firm, wide and patriotic discharge of the high duties of President of a mighty Republic, spanning the continent, and washed by the waves of two vast oceans. He possesses great elements of success, both as a candidate and an officer, and the indications are highly favorable to his nomination and election. Oregon Statesman, Corvallis, June 9, 1855, page 2 REVENUE CUTTER "JOSEPH LANE."--The Norfolk, Va. Argus says that orders have been received by the Collector of that port from the Treasury Department, directing that the name of the splendid revenue cutter "Campbell," which has recently been reconstructed, should be changed, and she is hereafter to be called the "Joseph Lane," in compliment to Gen. Lane, late delegate in Congress from the Territory of Oregon. This determination arose from the fact that there are at present two vessels by the name of Campbell in the revenue service. She is intended for the Pacific coast, and active preparations are making for her departure at an early day. Umpqua Gazette, Scottsburg, June 30, 1855, page 2 THE ELECTION OF GENERAL JO. LANE.
As is usual with the opposition, now congregated under the name of Know
Nothings, great hopes were entertained and many predictions made that
the indomitable General Lane, of Oregon, would be defeated in his
canvass for reelection to Congress; but the result has been his
complete and commanding triumph. The Democracy have been victorious
throughout the Territory, and the majority of Gen. Lane is about 1,800.
The Democrats met all the great issues boldly. They flung their banner
to the breeze inscribed with hostility to the whole creed of
Know-Nothingism, approved the fearless administration of Franklin
Pierce, and endorsed the Nebraska bill and the Baltimore platform. The
enemy, led by Major Gaines (who can now boast of having been twice
captured--once by the Mexicans, and once by the conquerors of the
Mexicans), made a most desperate struggle against General Lane. They
spent thousands of dollars, their orators patrolled the Territory, and
what with the circus shows and other frolics, and the repetition of the
most outrageous slanders against the old hero, they managed to coalesce
every ism, fact,
and
discontent against him. His unflinching courage and undying
perseverance were, however, too much for them. He did as he did at
Buena Vista, when he was in the van of danger, and may claim to have
achieved a victory only next to that of Virginia herself. Well may our
correspondent, writing from Oregon, say: "There is no more a living or
competent organization in opposition to the true democracy of the
country."
What a hope-cheering prospect is this! The Democracy of the United States speaking the same truths, united upon the same platform, as well in the far-off forests of Oregon as on the coasts of Maine, as well in Texas as in California, as well in the West as in the East. And what a contrast it is to the conflicting and distracted councils of that many-headed opposition, which trembles daily for fear of falling to pieces from its own corrupt divisions! The Daily Union, Washington, D.C., July 14, 1855, page 2 Residence of General Lane.
While on a tour through the upper part of this valley, recently, we had
the pleasure of visiting the residence and home of our distinguished
fellow citizen, Gen. Lane. The General has a beautiful land claim,
situated on the main road leading from the Willamette Valley south,
about half-way between the villages of Winchester and Deer Creek, in
Douglas County. The traveler who has passed through this part of the
country could not have failed in arriving at the same conclusion that
we have, that this is one of the most beautiful and picturesque spots
in the territory. The country is made up of beautiful little prairies
surrounded by hills. These prairies are generally covered with the best
of grass the whole year (the grasshoppers this season have completely
mowed them), while the adjacent hills afford timber of every variety,
pine, oak, cedar, fir, &c. This part of the country is the best
adapted for farming and stock growing of any we have ever seen in any
country, without exception. The valleys are small, and water and timber
is abundant, and as convenient as could be wished for. In one of the
choicest of these little valleys, Gen. Lane selected a land claim some
two years since, for the many natural advantages it possessed for stock
growing and agricultural purposes, and we much admire the taste the
General has exhibited in his selection. His house is built on an
eminence from which a splendid view of the surrounding country is had.
Although ever since his location here he has been nearly all the time
engaged with public duty, yet his claim bears evidence that he has not
been idle in the interim, and that he is a good practical farmer as
well as a great general and statesman. A commodious house has been
built, and finished in a comfortable and substantial manner. About 30
acres of the claim has been cultivated this year, and we here noticed
one of the most promising-looking gardens we have seen this season,
which we were pained to see being daily destroyed by the blighting
ravages of the grasshoppers.We found the General busily engaged in harvesting his small grain, planning operations for more extensive improvements, &c. We were not surprised to see this; we were aware that Gen. Lane was not only theoretically, but practically a Democrat--a man, although possessing an enviable national reputation--who has won renown and imperishable fame by his brilliant achievements and military skill in Mexico--yet who is not afraid to work, to swing the scythe and hold the plow with his own hands--whose happiest moments (as he told us) were spent in tilling the soil, in seeing his labor rewarded with a bountiful harvest, in witnessing his herds fattening on the luxuriant grass, and sweeping over the beautiful valleys. We were forcibly reminded of similar inclinations and disposition of other eminent Americans. The "father of his country," the immortal Washington, was proud to have an opportunity to labor on his farm and to witness the growth of his crops. These are the kind of men that made America free, and these are the kind that will steer her straight through all contending elements. Such men have common sympathy with all classes of people, and particularly the laboring class, who are the legitimate source of the greatness and wealth of all nations, and who should be encouraged as far as practicable by judicious acts of legislation. Such men have been and are yet the true Americans, true republicans, and true democrats, in theory, sentiment and practice, of this great country. Today a humble citizen, mingling with his flocks and herds, laboring with his hands, and earning his "bread by the sweat of his brow," and tomorrow he is in the councils of the nation, discussing great measures for the benefit of the people, and assisting in framing laws for their mutual interests and protection; ready at all times to enter the battle field in defense of the liberties and honor of his country. Such is the character and disposition of Gen. Lane. When we witnessed how comfortable his family were situated--how pleasantly he seemed to enjoy himself surrounded by his children and friends--how it pained him to think of separating himself again from them so soon--we could scarcely think that there was one in our land so lost to all shame, to all sense of honor, to justice, to truth, to attempt to injure Gen. Lane's private character, as was attempted to be done prior to election, by a base, malicious, and false publication by one of the slander-dealing anonymous scribblers of the Oregonian. It was a little lower than it was supposed even Dryer would stoop, and those who witnessed his humiliation at the political meeting at Winchester, when a certain article in his paper was referred to, will really understand to what we refer. The slander recoiled on the perpetrators, and so disgusted many honest Whigs that they renounced Dryer, Gaines & Co., and went to work zealously for General Lane. There is no man in the world who is more sincerely attached to his family--and who takes more pride in indulging in those social qualities which make the family circle a place to be coveted, than JO. LANE. Umpqua Weekly Gazette, Scottsburg, August 9, 1855, page 2 Gen. Lane passed through here on Thursday, on his way to Washington. He intends to go out on the next steamer. Oregon Statesman, Corvallis, September 22, 1855, page 2 (From
the National
Democratic Review.)
THE OREGON WAR. The West! the West!
where is the West?
We have watched, with intense interest, the fearful struggle between
civilization and humanity on one hand, and savage brutality on the
other, which has been maintained during the last few months in the
territories of Washington and Oregon. Nothing but an honest doubt in
regard to the nature of the difficulties in which Oregon matters are
involved has deterred us from calling aloud, on behalf of the settlers
on our northwestern borders, for that aid which is necessary to quench
the fagot in savage hands and stay the torrent of ruthless murder.
After the most deliberate examination of the whole subject, we are
satisfied our first opinion was correct, viz: that too small a body of
troops was sent to the Pacific Coast, or that the military disposition
of those troops did not justify the high expectations indulged in
reference to those most prominent in command.* * * It follows the declining sun Along the banks of Oregon, Nor leaves him where he makes his pillow On the great Pacific's billow. What is Oregon, that it should be doomed to become a land of skulls? and who are its inhabitants, that they should be plundered, murdered and immolated by the savages? The Territory of Oregon is one of the loveliest in the world; it is a land of promise, where Providence seems to have been most prodigal in the expenditure of its riches. It has the boldest rivers, the most fertile valleys, the proudest forests and the grandest mountains in the world. It has vales delicious as Sempe, groves as delightful as Arcadia, and fields fair as those of Enna, "Where Proserpine
gathering flowers,
Oregon
is the last home of the emigrant. Here, wearied by the march of
thousands of miles, he determined to rest forever. Here he erected his
cabin, planted his garden, sowed his farm, and gathered his little
family at night in confident security. In the midst of his repose he
was aroused by the cry that his dwelling was in flames, and he awoke
only to fall before the deadly rifle, and see his children struck down,
and his wife violated in his presence!Herself a fairy flower, by gloomy Dis Was carried off." Tell us not that we should first inquire who were originally to blame in this matter! Shame upon the truckling demagogue who can maintain his composure and look coldly on while the fairest daughters of America are murdered and insulted upon the banks of the Columbia! These women, a little while ago, dwelt in New England, the Middle States, in the South, and in the West; they are our mothers, our sisters, and our daughters. Shall we protect them, or shall we suffer them to be butchered and immolated by the miserable savages of Oregon? All Greece engaged in the Trojan War to recover a woman who voluntarily fled her country; all Sparta would have invaded Scandinavia had such an invasion been necessary to rescue a single mother of the iron kingdom; shall we of this proud land prove the only ungallant people of the earth? We have not patience to reason with men who hesitate in a crisis like the present. It is the duty of a commanding officer to execute orders; it is his duty to take the field, conquer the enemy, and put an end to the destruction of human life. He is not the judge of the origin of a war, and he transcends the boundary of his authority when he presumes to call in question the right of a people to defend their own firesides. In this connection we may remark--nothing had gratified us more than the bold and manly course pursued by the Delegate from Oregon, Gen. Joseph Lane. The people on our northwestern coast were certainly fortunate in their selection of a man to represent their interests in Washington City. Gen. Lane, the gallant veteran who won the glorious title of "The Marion of the Mexican War," has watched day and night over the people who live on the borders of the Pacific. (Here followed some extracts from Gen. Lane's speech on the Oregon war, which having before published in the Statesman, we now omit.) Here is a plain and unvarnished statement, which bears the marks of truth. We have no disposition to reflect upon General Wool; on the contrary, we entertain the highest respect for him as a man and as a soldier; if it be true, however, that he attempted, while in the neighborhood of California, to detain the 9th Infantry, then on the way to Oregon--that his influence, at one period, prevented the settlers furnishing powder to the residents on the frontiers--that he did not move boldly against the savages, but instead hesitated, upon the pretext that the whites were guilty of the first offenses; if these things be true, General Wool should be held to account by the American people. We entertain no doubt that indiscretions in many instances marked the conduct of the white man in Oregon. There never was a frontier population which could be absolutely restrained; soldiers, though, were not sent to the territories to judge of the causes which precipitated the contest; it was not expected that they would constitute a judicial tribunal of even temporary jurisdiction, and we are proud to bear witness that our gallant army has ever been ready, at the first call of the country, to take the field and march to victory, leaving the consequences to be settled by the civil authorities. General Wool is a brave man--a soldier whose fame is the common property of the nation; if he did not act as promptly in the premises as he was expected to act, we have only to regret, on behalf of the slain of Oregon, his strange unnatural conduct. We shall not attempt to present, in our brief outline of the frontier difficulties, anything like a systematic account of the murders, burnings and bloody conflicts which have characterized the war. It is evident that the savages had been preparing for years for the contest in which they are engaged; there was a perfect understanding among numberless chiefs of well-known courage and acknowledged talent, and simultaneous blows were struck along defenseless lines of a thousand miles. At the very time--as General Lane informs us--hostilities commenced in Washington Territory, they occurred in Rogue River Valley; in one night, the Indians traveled several miles and killed every man, woman and child on the road, with a few exceptions; they burned every house except one; they killed every woman except one--Mrs. Harris. The house of this lady was surrounded, her husband killed, and her daughter wounded. She loaded and fired her rifle eighty times, and finally escaped under cover of the darkness. Every man on this route was killed except Wagoner, whose wife and children were murdered, and who himself fell on the 22nd of February last at the mouth of Rogue River. Almost all the cattle in this region have been driven off or shot and left to decay upon the plains. Lack of space prevents even the general glance which we had intended at the war on the Pacific. In our next number, we shall present from the most authentic records all the particulars of importance which can be obtained in Washington City. It is sufficient to remark that the beautiful territories of Oregon and Washington are subjected every day and night to the most fearful ravages; that large numbers of volunteers have been raised, and are ready to cooperate with the regular troops of the government; that there has been gross and unpardonable delay on the part of the principal officer in command. "I would never raise my voice," says Gen. Lane, "in behalf of these people, if I believed them capable of such an enormity as that charged upon them by General Wool--the enormity, startling and revolting to every right-minded man, of deliberately making war upon an innocent and unoffending people for the purpose of enriching themselves by robbery of the public treasury. I know that to avoid war they would submit, and have submitted, to many wrongs for the purpose of maintaining peace and saving the lives of their families. This war has brought devastation and destruction to every portion of the two territories, and the last letter from my own home stated that everybody there is terror-stricken, that dismay has taken possession of everybody, and that the settlers are now building blockhouses for the purpose of protecting their families and friends, and that they are determined to fight to the last. And yet General Wool charges, and his letter is read as authority upon this floor, that the people of Oregon are guilty of bringing on this war with the Indians, bringing to their dwellings the torch, and to the hearts and the heads of their wives and their children the tomahawk and scalping knife of the savage, whose soul inflamed with passion and thirsting for revenge, revels with demonic delight in scenes of carnage, and draws the greatest pleasure of which such depraved natures are capable from the agony of his tortured and writhing victim. The Indians are literally breaking up the whole country, and I am not certain but that a large portion of the Territory will fall into their hands. I am in continued dread--though I think I am not easily frightened--but by the very next arrival I shall hear something more terrible than anything which has yet reached me. They have burned our steamboats, they have destroyed numerous farms and dwellings in Oregon, and a beautiful town in the southern part of Washington Territory, on the banks of the Columbia River, and have now access to the valleys, and I have great fear they will dash into the valley of the Willamette, and do much damage." It is fortunate for the people on the distant shores of the Pacific that they have such an advocate in Congress as Joseph Lane. Such vigilance we have never witnessed on the part of any other gentleman in the House of Representatives as has been displayed by Gen. Lane in defense of the inhabitants of Washington and Oregon territories. He is a man of whom any constituency may well be proud. Possessing an iron nerve, he dares to take any responsibility; clear and sound in his judgment, he takes no false nor injudicious step; comprehensive in his views of public policy, he seems to discover by intuition the line of justice and honor. He is one of those bold, original characters that nature, in her munificence, never fails to provide for a startling and difficult crisis. We always indulge a feeling of pride when, in looking over the gallant Democratic champions of the House of Representatives, our eye rests upon the frank, open countenance of THE HERO OF BUENA VISTA. Thank God, some of the noble Romans still live--live, as monuments of the glorious past, and guarantees of the glorious future of America. The influence, the example, and the illustrious deeds of a few such men as "The Marion of the Mexican War," inspire us with a hope that, though the tempest of faction may rage, and threaten the dismemberment of our republic, we shall be able to weather the storm. We regret, and the people of the Union regret, and the unborn inhabitants of this continent will regret, that to the hands of Gen. Lane was not committed the management of the war on our western borders. We make, however, no incendiary appeal to the disinterested masses of this country, for we know that a verdict would be rendered in favor of our demand which would echo from hill to hill, and from mountain to mountain, and startle a whole empire of politicians. God knows, and hundreds of thousands of men in this country know, that Gen. Joseph Lane was the man for the crisis. The people of Oregon and Washington territories should be thankful, however, that they can claim his services in the Congress of the United States, and that he is toiling with unremitted zeal in their behalf. Oregon Statesman, Salem, July 22, 1856, page 1 From the National Democratic Review of May, 1856, pages 433-440. Delicate Taste.
The Statesman of
this week has dropped the name of Jo Lane as a candidate for the
Presidency. The young man tells us that it is not done because he has
ceased to love Jo Lane, or appreciate his towering worth, but the name
was "omitted as a matter of typographical taste."
By the same rule of "taste" we suggest another improvement, by your hauling down your own name as "editor," and substituting that of Wiggins or Pat Malone. The Oregon Argus, Oregon City, February 16, 1856, page 2 The United States revenue cutter Joseph Lane, Capt. J. S. S. Chaddock, sailed yesterday for Astoria, Oregon, where she will be permanently stationed. Her officers are--Captain, J. S. S. Chaddock; First Lieutenant, John Mason, Jr.; Second Lieutenant, J. Wesley White; Boatswain, James Murphy; Gunner, Peter Person. The Lane was built by Messrs. Page & Allen, at Gosport, Va., and is one of the finest vessels that has ever visited our waters. Her dimensions are: length, 105 feet; beam, 24 feet; depth of hold, 8 feet; draft forward, 8 feet; aft, 10 feet 6 inches. She sailed from Norfolk, Va. in May last, and arrived here early in December, via Rio de Janeiro, Straits of Magellan and Valparaiso. While lying in port she was visited by many of our citizens and much admired for her beauty and neat appearance. Dr. Louis De B. Kuhn, surgeon, who came out in her, has been transferred to the cutter Jefferson Davis, and will proceed with Captain Pease in a few days to Puget Sound. Daily Alta California, San Francisco, March 4, 1856, page 2 CONGRESSIONAL.
INDIAN WARS IN THE PACIFIC TERRITORIES.
The publication in the Intelligencer
of
the letters of Major General Wool and Governor Stevens, in reference to
the Indian wars in Oregon and Washington and our military operations in
those Territories, makes it proper that we should insert the annexed
remarks on the subject made in the House of Representatives on the 7th
instant.
Mr. LANE, of Oregon, said: I desire to occupy the floor for a few minutes. I do not want to discuss the deficiency bill. I only want to notice some remarks that have been made in the course of the debate upon it. It is the army part of the bill that I intend to notice, and particularly the remarks of the gentleman from Ohio (Mr. Stanton). The gentleman made a statement which is obviously correct, and that is that either the commander of the American forces upon the Pacific or the governors of the Territories of Oregon and Washington had fallen into a great error. He introduced a letter of Gen. Wool to sustain the charges he himself had made, that the governors of these two Territories had fallen into a great error, and had made an unnecessary war upon the Indians, thereby greatly increasing the army expenses of that department and rendering the appropriations now asked for as a deficiency necessary. Mr. Speaker, in what I have to say of General Wool I wish it to be understood that I would not pluck one laurel from his brow. He has done gallant service. I have seen him in trying positions, and it has been my fortune to serve under him. My gallant friend from Kentucky (Mr. H. Marshall) has also served under him, and I can bear testimony that upon great occasions he has borne himself most nobly. But, sir, he writes his letter from San Francisco, bearing date of the 2nd of April. It is published in the columns of the National Intelligencer, and fills nearly two columns and a half of that paper. And, sir, the whole of that letter is a tissue of abuse and invective against the people of Oregon Territory. He charges the Governor of that Territory with making an unnecessary war upon the friendly Indians for the sake of plundering the national treasury. Now, sir, how humiliated should I be if I could believe one word of that letter, or if I believed this House could credit the charges there made by that gallant old man against the people of Oregon Territory as having made war upon the Indians for the sake of plunder! I should not now ask the attention of the House to any remarks of mine in reply to the gentleman from Ohio but for the fact that this letter of Gen. Wool will be published with that gentleman's speech, and going to the country in that connection might produce a prejudice in the minds of the people of the country against the Governor and the people of Oregon. Sir, the people of Oregon are an honest, industrious people, and to charge that they could be capable of making war against the Indians for the sake of plunder is a slander upon chivalrous, high-spirited and gallant men who have periled the lives and bared their bosoms to the weapons of a skulking and treacherous foe in protecting the defenseless women and children who have been forced to fly from their beautiful dwellings, which have, in many instances, been fired by the torch of the savage before they were out of sight of their once-peaceful homes. Far be it from me to cast any imputation upon the army. We have many gallant spirits in the army, and deeply do I regret that an officer whose career has heretofore been so brilliant, honorable and useful, who has won imperishable laurels upon many a hard-fought field, who now stands before us "full of years and full of honors"--deeply do I regret that such a one, instead of adding new luster to his well-earned fame, should have committed errors in the conduct of the war in Oregon which, to say the least, will throw a cloud--I hope evanescent--around the departure from the theater of his renown of a hero who otherwise would have sunk peacefully to rest, like the setting sun in a serene and cloudless sky. I regret, sir--and I will say that impartial history will decide that it was unfortunate for the reputation of this honored veteran--that the conduct of this Indian war was assigned to him. Trained to arms according to the tactics of West Point, a tactician after the fashion of the military fogeys of Europe, he has become thoroughly imbued with the faults of the old system, so far as its utter inadaptation to Indian warfare is concerned. We are told "it is never too late to learn," and perhaps General Wool might learn, if his life should be spared some years, all the wiles and stratagems of the savage and the other peculiarities of Indian warfare, but to expect him to acquire such knowledge immediately, or to possess it by intuition, is unreasonable to the last degree. Posterity will decide, in charity to the old soldier, whose blunders and mismanagement in Oregon otherwise admit of no palliation or excuse, that it were better for him had he been left to repose upon his laurels already won. Like a good old ship which has braved the storms of ocean, and borne the flag of the country in triumph on every sea, and is then laid up in dock, after being pronounced by the naval inspectors "unseaworthy," he should not now be sent to meet the perils and endure the privations and hardships in conducting a warfare for which he has--and I hope it is no disparagement to say so--no qualifications whatever. Now, sir, this letter bears date of the 2nd of April. On the night of the 25th of March--seven days previous--the Indians, by stratagem (showing generalship of a far higher order than has yet been evinced by General Wool in prosecuting the war), fell into the rear of the volunteers and of the regular troops in the field and possessed themselves of the only pass leading from the settlements into the Indian country, and which is the only pass by which our troops can be supplied or reinforced. On that day--the 25th of March--they boarded and took possession of the steamer Mary, which had on board a guard of fifteen men, all of whom, with the entire crew, fell under the tomahawk of the savage, and the steamer was burnt to the water's edge. [The Mary and her crew survived.] Only two steamboats have been placed on the Columbia above the Cascade falls; they have been used for the transportation of troops and supplies, and also for the use of settlers who have located east of the Cascade Mountains. One of them, with all on board, has been destroyed by the Indians. And they did not stop there; they took one of the most beautiful little towns that the eye of man ever rested upon--Cascade City--murdered the people, and burnt every house in the town. [Most of the residents took shelter in Bradford's store, and survived.] Yet, sir, on the 2nd of April, General Wool writes this letter--at a time when the news of these Indian outrages had reached him--and he does not say one word of the taking of the steamer Mary and the murder of her entire crew; he does not mention the burning of that beautiful town, Cascade City; he never mentions the sufferings of the people of Oregon, but he devotes the whole of his letter to denunciation of the people of that Territory. The Indians of Oregon are too cunning and vigilant to let General Wool or anybody else attack them where they do not want to fight. Before I take my seat I shall ask, as General Wool's letter has been read, that the Clerk shall read Governor Stevens' answer to a letter of his written some time since. I shall now call the attention of the House to some extracts from a letter which I received a day or two since from a gentleman now in Philadelphia, but who has for several years past lived in Rogue River Valley. I know him well. He is not my political friend, and has never supported me for office. He is an honest man, and he can and does tell the truth. The letter bears date Philadelphia, April 28th. He says: "I have just returned from Rogue River, Oregon Territory. I lived there during two years, and have felt as much interest in the welfare and good name of Southern Oregon as any man could feel for his adopted country. I yet hope to be proud of the name of one of its earliest settlers. I was there before the war commenced, when it commenced, and for four months afterwards, and I am familiar with the causes which led to it. And I cannot hide the anguish and feelings of disgust with which I have read the reports in the newspapers which have been sent on by Palmer and Governor Curry. Indeed I would not, I think, be doing justice to myself or my fellow citizens of Southern Oregon if I did not refute these slanders. It may be deemed the height of assumption for a citizen without the cloak of power to wield the pen against them, but when I reflect that I am an American, and that my fellow citizens are unjustly branded with infamy, I know that it is my right and my duty to deny that there is any truth in the charges against that people. Palmer says that 'the war was forced on these people against their will.' He cannot point out a single instance to sustain him in his assertion. The Indians wanted to fight long before the war commenced, but they could not agree among themselves as to the time." This, Mr. Speaker, is the language of a citizen of Oregon. He feels deep mortification when he reads Governor Curry's proclamation for maintaining the friendly disposition of the Indians. He censures Governor Curry because he is too humane to the Indians, while Gen. Wool holds him up as a robber and a murderer, and who makes war for the purpose of depleting the treasury. It is due to Governor Curry that I should here state, in vindication of his good name both from the aspersions of Gen. Wool and the censures of my correspondent, that when certain Indians were killed by Major Lupton's party the intelligence was brought to him that these Indians were friendly and inoffensive--information which proved afterwards to be incorrect. It was upon the false account given to him of the character and disposition of these Indians that he issued his proclamation exhorting the whites to maintain friendly relations with the Indians, and denouncing the severest punishment against any person who should commit outrages on such as were friendly and inoffensive. Those killed by Major Lupton Governor Curry afterwards ascertained to be murderers, and deserving the fate that befell them. This statement I have deemed necessary and proper to explain what might otherwise seem inconsistency in the conduct of Governor Curry. The agent, Dr. Ambrose, who is also censured, was misled in the same manner as Governor Curry, and is a worthy and humane man. "Before the Indian was molested by the whites the Indians killed two white men on Applegate. A few days afterwards they killed two more on Slate Creek. The Indians who committed these murders were pointed out to the agent, Dr. Ambrose. He conducted them to the reserve, and there protected them against the friends of the victim, who could not help [but] feel indignant. The agent refused to arrest the murderers and give them a trial. While the whites were not allowed to go on the reserve the Indians were at liberty to go where they pleased. But a short time after those murders a party of Indians from Rogue River Valley went over to Klamath, killed seventeen white men, plundered their bodies, and then returned to the reserve, claiming the agent's protection. They were seen, tracked back, and known to be the murderers, and yet the sympathetic agent would not allow them to be molested. They next attacked two teams (loaded with flour for Yreka) on the Siskiyou Mountain. Two men and a boy and thirteen oxen were killed. Two men at about the same time were shot at near Wait's mill, in the upper part of the valley. A great deal of stock was also driven from various parts of the valley. All these outrages were committed without the least provocation on the part of the whites. Indians rushed into the dwellings of the whites and behaved in the most insolent and threatening manner to women and children. This and greater cause was given to the whites before an Indian was molested, and it was only after so many murders following thick and fast one on another, and positive proof that they were committed by the Rogue River Indians, that the whites felt themselves forced to the alternative to fight or leave the country. Yet Mr. Palmer says that the Indians were driven to desperation. If so, what were the whites driven to?--death or defense." I know that the seventeen men referred to were murdered as stated. I was at home [in Douglas County] at the time. Among them was a young man by the name of Fickas, son of an old and much-esteemed friend, who was bred up near my old plantation in Indiana. This young man assisted in building the house in which I live in Oregon. The letter is signed by Oliver J. Evans. It was only when all the outrages enumerated were committed that Major Lupton raised his company. He tracked the Indians and found in their possession property taken from those whose bodies had been found mutilated on the mountains. It was proof positive that they were the murderers. They had tried to get to the reserve, but did not succeed before the Major overtook and attacked them. [The murderers were not present.] He himself was killed and also some fifteen or twenty of the Indians, among them some squaws. General Wool has charged that this battle was the origin and cause of all the subsequent hostilities. The squaws that Major Lupton killed were escorted by the warriors who killed the men and boy upon the mountains, from which place he tracked them to Butte Creek, where he attacked them. However, the agent was notified by these Indians that they had nothing to do with the murder--that they were going to the reserve. The Governor was notified, and he issued his proclamation as before stated. Evans certainly had not seen General Wool's letter or he would have turned the war in that direction. Now, sir, I do not want to say more about Gen. Wool, and will only say that his letter is full of injustice to the people of Oregon. I would never raise my voice in behalf of these people if I believed them capable of such an enormity as that charged upon them by Gen. Wool--the enormity, startling and revolting to every right-minded man, of deliberately making war upon an innocent and unoffending people for the purpose of enriching themselves by robbery of the public treasury. I know that to avoid war they would submit, and have submitted, to many wrongs for the purpose of maintaining peace and saving the lives of their families. This war has brought devastation and destruction to every portion of the two Territories, and the last letter from my own home stated that everybody there is terror-stricken, that dismay has taken possession of everybody, and that the settlers are now building blockhouses for the purpose of protecting their families and friends, and that they are determined to fight to the last. And yet Gen. Wool charges, and his letter is read as authority upon this floor, that the people of Oregon are guilty of bringing on this war with the Indians, bringing to their dwellings the torch, and to the hearts and the heads of their wives and their children the tomahawk and scalping knife of the savage, whose soul, inflamed with passion and thirsting for revenge, revels with demoniac delight in scenes of carnage, and draws the greatest pleasure of which such depraved natures are capable from the agony of his tortured and writhing victim. The Indians are literally breaking up the whole country, and I am not certain but that a large portion of the Territory will fall into their hands. I am in continual dread--though I think I am not easily frightened--lest by the very next arrival I shall hear something more terrible than anything which has yet reached us. They have burnt our steamboats; they have destroyed numerous farms and dwellings in Oregon, and a beautiful town in the southern part of Washington Territory, on the banks of the Columbia River, and have now access to the valleys, and I have great fear that they will dash into the valley of the Willamette and do much damage. In this state of the facts Gen. Wool's letter is introduced upon this floor for the purpose of criminating the people I represent and excusing his blunders. Mr. STANTON. I quoted Gen. Wool for the purpose of showing that there was a disagreement amongst the authorities there, and that the President ought to remove one of them. Mr. LANE. I say that the cause of this disagreement is so manifest that I have nothing to say upon the subject. Our people are, for their own defense, struggling and risking their lives, and a large portion of Gen. Wool's letter is devoted to denunciation of the volunteers who are operating east of the Cascade Mountains, in which he charges that they are operating in Washington Territory. The General is mistaken in his information. He has not examined the geography of the country. He has been grossly deceived. . . . National Intelligencer, Washington, D.C., May 13, 1856, page 2 Who Are to Be the Cane Bearers
Now?
It will be recollected that when General Lane returned from Washington,
two years ago, he brought a fine gold-headed cane, made from the keel
of the ship Constitution,
familiarly called "Old Iron Sides." On the gold head was engraved,
"Presented to Gen. Joseph Lane, by his
friend,
Frank Pierce." This cane was carried south, when Lane was canvassing
for re-election, by bearers appointed, we suppose, for the purpose;
among them was, then plain J. W., now Quartermaster General Drew,
Messrs. Chadwick, Martin, Boyd, "Uncle Ben," and others. We heard some
amusing anecdotes about the manner in which this cane
would get ahead of the procession, and be shown as a sort of herald to
announce the General's approach. It is now a question of considerable
importance, who are to be the cane bearers in 1857? Drew has grown
wonderfully great since he served as bearer, therefore he cannot do it.
Martin has received from Lane the appointment of Register of the land
office at Winchester--he can't neglect his business; Chadwick has
retired from public life; "Uncle Ben" ditto, and Boyd has run away;
therefore it is necessary that new bearers should be selected. We
nominate John Orvis Waterman, Alonzo Leland, Ass-ahell Bush, and W. G.
T'Vault, whose duty it shall be alternately to bear the cane, and such
Buchanan medals as the General may bring on with him, as testimonials
of his high standing and influence at Washington City.Weekly Oregonian, Portland, April 4, 1857, page 2 Portland
Oregon
Hon.
Jacob ThompsonApril 22, 1857. Secy. of the Interior Sir I have just arrived, have met Genl. Nesmith, lately appointed Superintendent [of] Indian Affrs. for Oregon & Washington Territories. He will accept and will forward his bonds by the next steamer. In your instructions you have directed the offices of Superintendent at Oregon City; now you must permit me to say that the office ought to be located at Salem, the present seat of govt. It is much more convenient to the Indians with greater facilities for dispatching business and for communicating with agts. and sub-agts., and in all respects a better location. You will therefore I trust allow him to establish his office at Salem. Allow me also to beg you to see that no appointments are made for Oregon or changes made till I can write you. I shall be in Washington in Nov. next. Your
obt. servt.
NARA
Series M234, Letters
Received by the Office of Indian Affairs, Reel
610 Oregon
Superintendency 1857, frames 363-365.Joseph Lane NEW TERRITORIES.
The party having the command of the federal administration generally
secures at first the control in our territories. The appointments are
made, the patronage is distributed by the administration, and men work
zealously for pay. Every postmaster, every petty officer, deems it his
duty to labor for the party on whom he depends, and a principal part of
the governor's business is to shape the politics of his territory. This
is why New Mexico, Nebraska, Oregon, and Washington are controlled by
the pro-slavery Democracy, and Minnesota, notwithstanding its
settlement by free state emigrants, is to so great a degree under its
power.
One measure of counteracting this evil is the circulation of papers advocating the cause of freedom. The Republicans of Oregon, we are glad to see, have come to this conclusion. The conduct of Lane and other Democratic leaders, in boldly advocating the introduction of slavery, has alarmed them, and convinced them of the necessity of more strenuous efforts to resist that mischievous project. We have lately received orders for several clubs of the Era, to be circulated among the people of Oregon. It is, we trust, but the beginning of a more general movement. A correspondent in Deer Creek, Oregon Territory, sending us a dozen subscribers, says: "I am astonished, on my return after an absence of eighteen months, to find such a turning over to the Republican ranks. For your encouragement, I would say, that the Era and Facts for the People have had much to do in producing the change in this neighborhood. The pro-slavery ground taken by Lane and most of our leading Democrats, just before the election of our constitutional delegate, has operated powerfully to open the eyes of honest Democrats, and there are many of them becoming daily more and more disgusted, who, I think, will soon come over to the Republicans." We hope our friends will take care to have such men supplied with the right kind of reading, and they will soon decide upon the course proper to be pursued. The National Era, Washington, D.C., November 19, 1857, page 2 Gen. Lane's Letter.
The Standard
affects to regard the letter of Gen. Lane we published in our last
week's issue as sustaining the position of the disaffectionists. Mr.
O'Meara prudently (?) avoids the publication of the entire letter, and
contents himself with a pair of quotations--then, very little to his
purpose, and asserting a want of space, he proceeds to a line of
comment equal on the "space" question to the publication of quite
three-fourths of the entire letter. If the Standard
had no room for it, will he be good enough to spare the room next week,
or week after, or at any time before the election? We are very anxious
that the readers of the Standard
should have an opportunity of reading that letter--judging for
themselves of its contents. In the meanwhile we can assure the editor
of the Standard
that Gen.
Lane is too good an old soldier to sanction mutiny anywhere. The letter
in question, however, is before our readers, and it is as full and
thorough an endorsement of the position held by the Democracy of Oregon
as we desire at his hands, in entire harmony with the status of the Statesman and Times upon the
subject in question, and a document withal, the Standard
we fear will not find it sufficiently to the interest of his cause to
publish for the perusal of its readers. It is reasonable to suppose
that if the letter contained sentiments in justification of the Eugene
movement, the editor of the Standard
would find room for its publication, or know the reason why.Oregon Weekly Times, Portland, April 4, 1858, page 2 Acceptance of Gen. Lane.
As some studied efforts are being made to misrepresent the position of
Gen. Lane in relation to the movements of the disorganizers, we deem it
proper to publish the following correspondence which took place less
than one year since:
Portland,
O.T., April 24, 1857.
Gen Joseph
Lane--Dear Sir:
The undersigned, a committee appointed by the Democratic Territorial
Convention, held at Salem on the 13th inst., to inform you of your
selection by that body as the candidate of the Democratic Party for
Delegate to Congress, and to present you with the resolutions adopted
by said convention, and request your public acceptance of the same,
have the pleasure of discharging that duty by enclosing herewith the
proceedings of the Convention. Allow us to add our personal
congratulations on again welcoming you as the standard bearer of the
Democracy of Oregon.Respectfully
yours,
Gen. Joseph Lane.Joseph W. Drew, Asahel Bush, James M. Pyle, Committee. ----
Portland,
O.T., April 24, 1857.
Gentlemen--Your note of this date, informing me of my nomination for
Delegate to Congress by the Democratic Territorial Convention held at
Salem on the 13th inst., and enclosing the proceedings and resolutions
of that Convention, is before me, and I hasten to reply.In my renomination, I recognize again that manifestation of public confidence it has been, as it will continue to be my aim to merit at the hands of my fellow citizens, and for which I tender them my grateful acknowledgments. With a high sense of the honor thus conferred upon me, it is alone in the promotion of the interests of our people and our Territory (now about to assume her sovereignty as one of the states of this confederacy), that I hope to justify this confidence upon the part of the people, and through you I beg to assure them that nothing within the reach of the faithful performance of my duties shall be left undone for the achievement of this great object. In accepting the nomination, I cordially endorse the resolutions of the Convention as expressive of the principles and will of the Democracy of Oregon, and while it is to be regretted that either any portion of the press, or individuals claiming to be advocates of the principles, or members of the Democratic Party, should persist in a course inevitably leading to the violation of the "cherished usages of the party," the production of confusion and discord, and overthrow of all party organization indispensable to the maintenance of our political principles and measures, it is both the right and duty of the people, through their delegates in Convention, to condemn and repudiate the same whenever and wherever it may exist. Now that we are about taking incipient steps preparatory to our admission as a state, convictions of duty and of patriotism combine with our hopes of future prosperity as a people in prompting our strict and unswerving devotion to the time-honored principles of that party under whose auspices our whole country has progressed and prospered to an extent unparalleled in the history of nations, and by which alone the peace, prosperity and integrity of the Union can ever be maintained. Again allow me to express to the people whom you represent my profound gratitude and accept for yourselves assurances of my kindest regard. Respectfully,
your obt. servt.
Messrs. J. W. Drew,Joseph Lane. Asahel Bush, Jas. M. Pyle Committee. Oregon Statesman, Salem, April 20, 1858, page 2 Gen. Lane arrived on the Columbia. Oregon Statesman, Salem, April 28, 1857, page 2 South
Fork Deer Creek, Douglas Co.,
Mr. Bush--This part of
the Territory of Oregon has been and is infested by a lawless band of
Indians ever since the last war, who go skulking through the mountains
and canyons that lie adjacent to the settlements, frequently shooting
cattle and horses, and robbing houses whenever a fair opportunity
offers. About six weeks ago, Mr. Franklin Wright's house was robbed of
a No. 1 rifle, one pound of powder, some percussion caps, two cwt.
flour, two or three pairs of blankets &c., and on the 24th of
July,
Mr. Jas. Gilmore, a neighbor of Mr. Wright's living on the south fork
of Deer Creek, about nine miles above Roseburg, unfortunately had one
large American mare and two two-year-old and one yearling colt shot.
The shooting was done with arrows, as each of the colts were found
having one sticking in them. The mare was found dead, the arrow having
passed clear through her body. The colts were driven home, and the
spikes of bone (which had been sharpened to a point) drawn from two of
them, and it is supposed those two will recover.July 30th, 1857. How long we are to live in dread of these infernal pests of the country, there is no knowing. However, we know that as long as they are allowed to run at large, our farming community will be the sufferers. There are some five or six men in pursuit, among whom are Gen. Joseph Lane and Col. Wm. Martin. It is hoped that the old General will make some of them squat, or come to terms. Yours, respectfully, [no signature] Oregon Statesman, Salem, August 18, 1857, page 2 A. J. Barlow, formerly a resident of Grants Pass, has left us an addendum that needs to be quoted. Barlow was General Lane's nephew. His letter follows: Uncle David Gilmore of Woodville relates an interesting reminiscence of pioneer history. In the June of 1856, soon after the Rogue River Indians were subjugated and were being taken to the Siletz reservation by Indian Agent Robert Metcalfe, about a dozen bucks and three or four squaws, who could not endure the idea of being forced by the hated whites on a reservation not of their own choice, concluded to desert and betake themselves to the mountains, which they did at Myrtle Creek in Douglas County. They were unarmed and had but little provisions, just what they stole from the camp on the night before they deserted. They soon managed to make themselves bows and arrows with which to kill game. Not many weeks after they went into the mountains, the settlers along the Umpqua River noticed that they commenced to miss provisions and wearing apparel. These little thefts became more and more frequent, so much so, indeed, that the settlers laid all sorts of traps to catch the midnight marauders but to no avail, the redskins being too foxy. This business continued uninterruptedly until the summer of 1857, when one hot moonlight July night, the Gilmores were awakened from their slumbers by the stampeding of their horses. When daylight came they went to the pasture to find that the Indians had shot their horses with arrows. Some had been shot through the bowels and afterward died. This so exasperated the settlers that they determined to hunt the red devils down. General Lane had just been elected to Congress, and he was consulted in relation to the matter. He at once organized a searching party, consisting of himself, Col. Wm. Martin of Jacksonville [sic], A. J. Burnett, David Gilmore, John Fitzhugh and his younger son, Lafayette, a lad of 15 years, and three friendly Klamath Indians named Sampson, Captain Chief and Joe Snakes. The searching party set out in the direction of Camas Valley and the head of Coquille River. After they had been out about three or four days the General divided his forces. He sent Burnett and Gilmore, accompanied by Captain Chief and Joe Snakes in the direction of Camas Valley, with instructions that if they discovered Indian signs to return to a certain place and report. Burnett and Gilmore had not proceeded many miles until they found unmistakable signs of the close proximity of Indians. They at once wheeled about and joined Lane's party about sundown of the same day they started. The next day, bright and early, all hands were in their saddles. The General cautioned the men not to make any noise, such as shooting at game, which was forbidden. However, about noon the party came suddenly in sight of an unusually large black bear. The temptation was irresistible, and the General sang out, "Let us give it to him, men." In an instant every man in the party sent his leaden missile into bruin's carcass, killing him instantly. One of the Indians wanted the itchfoot's hide, and accordingly they skinned him. They were detained at this about an hour, when they proceeded to move along cautiously in pursuit of the Indians. They soon found Indian signs, but by this time the day was drawing to a close. The party concluded to return to the gulch where they had shot the bear, in order to get water. When they arrived at the spot they were dumbfounded to find that the Indians had preceded them to the same spot and cut and carried the bear to their own camp, which evidently could not be far away. A guard was kept out all night. The next morning the searching party started down the gulch. Col. Martin discovered smoke on the left-hand side of the gulch. The party cautiously crossed over and soon went unobserved into the Indian encampment, which was a genuine surprise. In an instant the Indians were in a fearful commotion. They evidently thought they would all be murdered. Gen. Lane, with characteristic coolness, informed the Indians that his party did not come to kill them, but to capture them and send them to the reservation where they belonged--that they had to submit at once, and that any resistance on their part would cause all of them to be shot. The General ordered his men to keep their hands near their pistols and to proceed to gather up the bows and arrows of the Indians. Soon all their traps were gathered and loaded on the horses, and the captors and captives started for the Umpqua Valley. They traveled all day and at night camped at a beautiful stream called Snowberry Creek. A close watch was kept over the Indians during the night. In the meantime, however, it should be stated that two young Indians named Jim Burnteye and Bogus had the day before gone on a hunting tour. When they returned to their camp and ascertained that the whites had captured their comrades, their bewilderment and grief can be imagined. However, they followed the tracks of the captors into the valley to ascertain what the whites intended to do with their friends. When Jim Burnteye and Bogus found that the whites did not contemplate killing them, they also came in and gave themselves up. It turned out that the Indians, when they heard the shooting of the bear, merely supposed it was a hunting party out for game and little dreamed that they, themselves, were the game sought. They were taken to Winchester and there remained until officers from Alsea arrived and removed them unwillingly, as usual, to the reservation, from whence most of them doubtless, long ere this, have passed to the happy hunting ground. Daily Courier, Grants Pass, April 2, 1960, Indians and Mining Section, page 12. Reprinted from an unattributed clipping in the William Fidler Scrapbook MS208, Southern Oregon Historical Society Research Library Gen Lane is in town. Oregon Statesman, Salem, September 8, 1857, page 3 Gen. Lane left here last week for Washington, in company with J. Ross Brown, special agent of the government. They have visited the Indian reservations in the Willamette Valley and will visit those east of the Cascades before their departure. Oregon Statesman, Salem, September 29, 1857, page 2 I have not written to our representative delegate in Congress (Hon. Joe Lane) in relation to the affair of Mr. Day, from the fact that the Genl. has not in 3 campaigns met with my support, or that of Mr. Day--although I am in politics a Democrat (somewhat, however, of the native-born order). But the Genl. has ever been nursing and caressing and imposing upon us the ---------- set of boobies & asses that ever tormented mankind. Of my identity, however, I will refer you to the Genl. Courtney M. Walker, letter of November 18, 1857 to J. B. Thompson, NARA Series M234 Letters Received by the Office of Indian Affairs 1824-81, Reel 611 Oregon Superintendency, 1858-1859, frame 713. Acceptance of Gen. Lane.
As
some studied efforts are being made to misrepresent the position of
Gen. Lane in relation to the movements of the disorganizers, we deem it
proper to publish the following correspondence which took place less
than one year since:
Portland,
O.T., April 24, 1857.
Gen Joseph
Lane--Dear Sir:
The undersigned, a committee appointed by the Democratic Territorial
Convention, held at Salem on the 13th inst., to inform you of your
selection by that body as the candidate of the Democratic Party for
Delegate to Congress, and to present you with the resolutions adopted
by said convention, and request your public acceptance of the same,
have the pleasure of discharging that duty by enclosing herewith the
proceedings of the Convention. Allow us to add our personal
congratulations on again welcoming you as the standard bearer of the
Democracy of Oregon.Respectfully
yours,
Gen. Joseph Lane.Joseph W. Drew, Asahel Bush, James M. Pyle, Committee. ----
Portland,
O.T., April 24, 1857.
Gentlemen--Your note of this date,
informing me of my nomination for Delegate to Congress by the
Democratic Territorial Convention held at Salem on the 13th inst., and
enclosing the proceedings and resolutions of that Convention, is before
me, and I hasten to reply.In my renomination, I recognize again that manifestation of public confidence it has been, as it will continue to be my aim to merit at the hands of my fellow citizens, and for which I tender them my grateful acknowledgments. With a high sense of the honor thus conferred upon me, it is alone in the promotion of the interests of our people and our Territory (now about to assume her sovereignty as one of the states of this confederacy), that I hope to justify this confidence upon the part of the people, and through you I beg to assure them that nothing within the reach of the faithful performance of my duties shall be left undone for the achievement of this great object. In accepting the nomination, I cordially endorse the resolutions of the Convention as expressive of the principles and will of the Democracy of Oregon, and while it is to be regretted that either any portion of the press, or individuals claiming to be advocates of the principles, or members of the Democratic Party, should persist in a course inevitably leading to the violation of the "cherished usages of the party," the production of confusion and discord, and overthrow of all party organization indispensable to the maintenance of our political principles and measures, it is both the right and duty of the people, through their delegates in Convention, to condemn and repudiate the same whenever and wherever it may exist. Now that we are about taking incipient steps preparatory to our admission as a state, convictions of duty and of patriotism combine with our hopes of future prosperity as a people in prompting our strict and unswerving devotion to the time-honored principles of that party under whose auspices our whole country has progressed and prospered to an extent unparalleled in the history of nations, and by which alone the peace, prosperity and integrity of the Union can ever be maintained. Again allow me to express to the people whom you represent my profound gratitude and accept for yourselves assurances of my kindest regard. Respectfully,
your obt. servt.
Messrs. J. W. Drew,Joseph Lane. Asahel Bush, Jas. M. Pyle Committee. Oregon Statesman, Salem, April 20, 1858, page 2 THREE SENATORS TO BE ELECTED IN OREGON.--It is said, says the Jacksonville Herald, that the first Legislature of the state of Oregon, which is to meet in August next, will have three U.S. Senators to elect--one to serve until 1859; one until 1861; and one to serve a long term, from 1859 until 1865. This supposition is, we presume based upon the fact that the Legislature meets but once in three years, and by the election of three Senators at the first session an extra session will be obviated. Sacramento Daily Union, February 15, 1858, page 4 Letter from Gen. Lane.
By the last
mail, we received the following letter from Gen. Lane. Its appeal to
the Democracy to support the "regular
nominees" of the "Democratic"
Party,
is honest and patriotic. The General has doubtless been imposed upon by
misrepresentations as to the strength of the combination of isms
which now opposes the "regular Democracy" of Oregon. When he receives
the result of the vote on the first Monday in June, he will be
satisfied that every "regular
Democrat" "has done his duty," to the utter discomfiture
of the
present mongrel faction which is in the field bidding for a fusion vote:
Washington City,
March, 18,
1858.
Oregon
Statesman, Salem, April 27, 1858, page 2
Ed. Statesman--I
see, with much regret, that division and discord exists in the ranks of
the Democracy of Oregon, threatening in its character, and if persisted
in, will result in defeat and overthrow. Fellow Democrats of Oregon, division in the Democratic Party
will not
do. Permit me, therefore, to address myself to you, and
to ask,
Shall the opposition carry
the election on account of feuds and dissension in our own ranks? Shall
Oregon come into the Union under the auspices of a sectional
organization, or shall she come in to strengthen the friends of the
Constitution and the Union, and cheer the heart of every patriot with
renewed confidence that both Constitution and Union shall be perpetual.
If ever there was a time for every
Democrat to do his duty, his whole
duty, it is now. All Democrats should bear in mind that
the Democratic Party is
the Union. I appeal to the Democracy to bury all private animosities,
and sacrifice ill feelings and heart burnings on the altar of the
public good, and unite as one man in support of the regular nominees.
The people of Oregon have honored me with their friendship and confidence, and I hazard nothing in saying that I am as ardently devoted to their interests as any man has ever been in the interests of those who placed their confidence in him, and I would be very glad to be chosen one of the first Senators from our new state, but I shall never desire it at a sacrifice of the harmony, honor and integrity of the party. In the Senate I could be useful to Oregon and the country, but the harmony and integrity of the party is more important to both Oregon and the country, and must be maintained. It is vain to talk of success with our strength broken, our majority cut down by unnecessary and suicidal divisions and dissensions. Everybody cannot elect precisely the man he prefers--such a thing never was heard of at any election. Let everyone, then, make all reasonable concessions as to men, adhering to the old motto of our party, "measures, not men." To everyone who has a single Democratic drop of blood in his veins--everyone who feels one throb of patriotism in his breast--I would say, "The country expects every man in Oregon, regardless of self, to do his duty." I have said to all that Oregon would come in a Union-loving state, free from sectionalism, and would stand by the Constitution and the rights of all the states. Have I deceived myself and our friends? The Democracy will join me in exclaiming, No.
Respectfully yours,
JOSEPH LANE. Gen. Lane Repudiating the
National-Wools, and Denouncing Them.
Albany,
May 6th, 1858.
Mr.
Bush--I take the liberty of transcribing and forwarding to you for
publication in the Statesman, the following extracts from a private
letter from Gen. Lane, which I found here on my return from the South,
to-wit:"Washington
City, March 18th, 1858.
Hon. Delazon Smith--Dear Sir:" * * * With these terrible consequences before their eyes, will any considerable portion of our people set up opposition to the regular organization in our state? Such an effort is being made. Let it be met, and met boldly and effectually, and put down at once. Every good Democrat will join in rebuking such as may be engaged in so unholy a cause!" "This day I wrote to Mr. Bush a short but strong letter on this subject for publication; and I am sure that you and all other good Democrats will endorse every word there written. I hope he will publish it without delay." "I am proud of Oregon. Her people are orderly, law-abiding, patriotic, Union-loving people. We stand high here, and deserve to stand high. Tomorrow morning the committee on Military Affairs will take up my war bill. We have taken much pains in preparing for the meeting. We will go in strong, and I hope will be successful. Everything possible will be done. We have made friends and are much stronger than at the commencement of the session. But we may need the aid of a full representation before we get through. Let us have it as soon as possible." Your
friend and ob't serv't,
JOSEPH LANE." "As the friend of Gen. Lane, I have everywhere done him the justice to say that if he were here he would rebuke and repudiate the 'nationals' who are using his name without authority and for base and selfish purposes. Will King, Avery, Allen, Shuck, Lawson, McIteeny, and other heart-enemies of Gen. Lane, longer slander him by pretending that he approves and sympathizes with their efforts to disorganize the Democratic Party? O'Meara sought to deceive and is now seeking to betray the old hero. It is for the self-governing people to determine whether Oregon Democracy or California trickery is to triumph in the forthcoming election. Unless a majority of our people are blind to both principle and interest, they will administer such a rebuke to home treason and imported impudence, on the first Monday in June next, as will prevent the repetition of like efforts upon their credulity and good nature for many long years to come. The country is now being fairly warned. Who can doubt the correctness of Gen. Lane's position when he says, 'Every good Democrat will join in rebuking such as may be engaged in so unholy a cause,' as that of the 'national' faction in their efforts at disorganization?" Truly
yours,
Oregon Weekly Times, Portland,
May 15, 1858, page 3DELAZON SMITH. A STORY OF HEROISM.--In the course of a recent speech in Congress by the Hon. Joseph Lane, Oregon, he related the following incident which occurred in the Indian war of Oregon: "While in Oregon last summer, I took occasion to inquire of the chief who was mainly instrumental in getting up this war, to learn the particulars of the fate of some of our people who disappeared in that war of 1855, and of whom we had been able to learn nothing. "When I suggested to the agent, in the council, that I proposed to inquire into the fate of Mrs. Wagoner, Mrs. Haines and others, he was inclined to think it would raise the bitter feelings of the Indians, but said he would make the inquiry. I told him that I had passed through the country where these people had lived, and that their friends were very anxious to learn their fate. We inquired in relation to Mrs. Wagoner, who was a well-educated and handsome woman from New York, who had lived long in the country and spoke the Indian tongue fluently. She kept a public house by the roadside, and the good cheer which she always furnished made it a place where travelers delighted to stop. The Indians informed us that on the morning of the 9th of October they came in sight of the house, where they met some teamsters and packers, a portion of whom they murdered, destroying the wagons and cargoes, as well as the animals, while she was standing in the door. "As soon as they had murdered the people outside they came towards the house, which was strongly built of hewn logs and had a heavy door which fastened with crossbars. When she saw them running towards the house she shut the door and dropped the bars to prevent their coming in. They came to the door and ordered her to come out and bring out her little girl. She said, 'No.' "Her husband was absent--and, by the way, he was the only man on that road who escaped. They said that if she did not come out they would shoot her. She declined, and after some deliberation they determined to set the house on fire. The house was directly enveloped in flames, and the chief, who watched her through a little window, told us that he saw her go to the glass, arrange her hair, then take her seat in the middle of the room, fold her little girl in her arms, and wait calmly until the roof fell in and they perished in the flames together. And the statement was confirmed by the people who found their remains lying together in the middle of the house." The Daily Journal, Wilmington, North Carolina, June 15, 1858, page 2 LETTER FROM OREGON.
[FROM OUR SPECIAL CORRESPONDENT.] Biography, Character and Capacity of Our Congressman-Elect-- "Jo. Lane"--Smith--Lafayette Grover. MY
CABIN IN THE WOODS
Politicians abroad may be anxious to
know something of the antecedents, character and statesmanlike capacity
of Oregon's first choice for Senators and Representative in the
National Congress, and, as your cabin correspondent has sat under the
political ministrations of at least two of "the gentlemen from Oregon,"
thus having had opportunities of measuring their mental caliber, as
well as the peculiar nature of their intellects, moral perceptions and
temperaments--he will, with your permission, present the anxious
readers of the Union
on this score--if any such there be--with the result of his
observations.
UMPQUA VALLEY,
O.T., October 18, 1858.
Of Gen. Joseph Lane, or "Old Jo. Lane," as he is familiarly known in these parts, we can say but little that is not already known to the public. However, our sketch would be incomplete without a passing glance at some of his distinguished services. "The General," as you are probably aware, hails from that poetic region which our friend Tom. Dryer, of the Oregonian, loves to designate as "the burnt district of Indiana," where, we presume, he first saw daylight. Be that as it may, however, it was the old Hoosier State which first put him forward on the road to distinction. He joined the Indiana Regiment of Volunteers in the Mexican War, and for his undoubted gallant services during several campaigns of that war, so prolific of great men, was brevetted; and, at the inauguration of the Pierce Administration, his friend and fellow soldier in arms assigned him the Governorship of the distant province of Oregon, on the referral of "Jimmy Shields" to accept that position. "The General's uniform good fortune," as he loves to phrase it, favored him still more, for, immediately after his arrival in Oregon, the Delegateship became vacant by the death of Thurston, at Acapulco, on his way home from the federal capital, and he was elected to fill the vacancy! He has held that position for the last six years, and is now elected to the United States Senate for six years to come--for I'll be bound his "uniform good fortune" don't desert him now, and that he draws the long term. They have a way of doing such favors for favorites at the national capital. At least so says one of the Minnesota Senators, and his testimony is corroborated by Madam Rumor. He (Lane) has repeatedly promised to decline a renomination for ever so many Congressional terms back, in favor of anxious friends, who are willing, for three thousand a year and about twenty-five hundred per session mileage, to serve their dear country in his stead. But it has never been convenient for him, thus far, to keep his promise in this particular. Hence the anti-Lane [sentiment] brewing, now, in the tubs amongst our aspiring great men. Lane's good qualities as a man and as a soldier no one acquainted with him would be disposed to question, and history will assign him his proper place in these respects. In private life he is one of the most social, unreserved, kindhearted and friendly beings living--just such a man as has a disposition to do everyone needing his assistance good beyond his means. Hence the secret of his popularity among Oregonians. When he is at home, he is sure to be familiar with the inside of every cabin for miles around his own--to drink, and hunt, and smoke with all the old Nimrods, topers and gossips in the wide circle of his acquaintance--and to be generally mixed up with the fun and frolic of the youngsters over half the country. Of his qualities as a statesman, I can hardly trust myself to speak. They are upon the files of the Congressional Globe, and I fear will not justify his being classed by the historian among the soldier statesmen of the America Roman school. We might perhaps add that his efforts at speech-making are not bad for his opportunities, but that the world takes no cognizance of opportunities, or the want of them--its criterion and the meed of its applause being success, and nothing else. With less palaver; less "Union saving"; less evident squinting towards reelection; and a little more grasp of thought and display of personal independence in them, his "talk" might be readable; and, if not of the first order, at least quite creditable from the graduate of a Mississippi flatboat! But let us turn from "the General"--leaving his case to impartial history--to his colleague in the Senate. Delazon Smith is a native of the Empire State, and has been heard of in the political world before. Shortly alter the advent of "Tippecanoe and Tyler too," Delazon made a noise in the world of diplomacy as "John Tyler's Lost Minister." The circumstances which gave rise to the sobriquet are well known to old stagers and need not be repeated here. I use the terms as the most widely known, whereby to introduce my subject to my readers, and not at all in disparagement of Smith. Slander, you know, dear reader, will sometimes be busy with the best and purest of characters, and those of public men are not exceptions to the common lot. If I commit a breach of etiquette in introducing my characters to the public, being a backwoodsman will, I trust, be a sufficient apology for my awkwardness. Whether the distinguished subject of our memoir "was born of poor, but respectable parents," to use the common phrase of common biographers, or whether he had any parents at all, we will not attempt to inform the reader. Neither have we learned under what condition of suffering he cut his teeth, or had the measles, or the whooping cough; or how many fisticuffs young Smith used to have at school. Certain it is that by whatever contrivance he was ushered into this cold mundane sphere of ours, he was cut out for a statesman! But, alas! that it should have to be recorded by one of his admirers, too! Nature's handiwork has been almost, if not quite, spoiled in the "making up." The patterns fell into bad hands. At his time of life (he is now about 45) it is much to be feared the corrupt, old fogey atmosphere of the Potomac will not correct the misdirected faculties of his youth. Delazon was organized of fine clay, and gifted with noble and manly impulses, but having fallen early in life into the hands of politicians who used his good qualities, his eloquence and his generous impulses, for their own advancement, and having attained their ends, then kicked him under the table whilst they feasted on the produce of his labor--having been thus used for many years, the original nature of the man is almost entirely changed. I have said almost entirely, but thanks to the vigorous resistance which dame nature always makes to retain her sway, he is not quite ruined yet. We have seen him at moments when the germs of the original "man of independent mind" would, despite of all restraint, peep out through the crystallized crust of the "prudent politician." This trait of character, if we are not mistaken, will occasionally betray him into indiscretions against the tyrannical mandates of party, when there is wrong or oppression attempted to be practiced. Indeed, we are of opinion—though having no positive assurance of the fact--that some of these fits of stubborn "indiscretion" would have prompted him, had he been in Congress, last session, to oppose the Lecompton and English villainies. It is our belief that the President would have found him quite an intractable subject, and not at all disposed to go for Lecompton, senior or junior. And we will hazard this further assertion (of course founded only on our opinion of the materials of the man), that he will be found voting for the "admission of Kansas with a constitution of her choice," at the next session, should he take his seat, and Kansas apply for admission. I am aware that these prophecies are made in the face of the action of our last Democratic state convention, which gave the present Administration a sort of a back-handed general endorsement. But what of that endorsement? Our wonder is, indeed, that the endorsement was not stronger, considering the amount of drippings that fell from the fingers of our old Uncle in the White House into the maw of our menagerie of politicians. Our annual appropriations for war claims, Indian appropriations, Surveyor General and Land Offices, Territorial printing and legislative and judicial expenses, together with the pay of a host of sinecures, such as Surveyors of Forts, Collectors of Customs, Marshals, etc., amount to nearly if not quite half a million. You know it's in human natur', not to speak of the natur' of politicians, to "soft sawder" a little the generous givers of such good gifts. But I find myself again digressing. When Smith was a young man he entered that hotbed of Abolitionism, Oberlin College, where he did not remain long enough to procure his degree of A.B. or A.M., as the case might be, in consequence of a misunderstanding between the student and the faculty of that celebrated institution. Had he remained to have completed his academic course, I have no doubt he would have obtained it without poor Dean Swift's "act of special grace." The young student, the unfinished scholar, now plunged headlong into the stormy sea of politics--a life which he has, with slight intermissions, led ever since--having been successively reporter and editor in Ohio, stump orator in Iowa, in the latter of which his eloquence contributed largely to the success of the Dodges, who, with the selfishness and treachery so characteristic of political hucksters, always managed to dodge "poor Delazon" out of his just proportion of the spoils. Finding his expectations often disappointed, and his services rewarded only with treachery, Smith came out as an independent candidate for one of the Congressional districts of that state, but was unsuccessful. During that canvass he made one of the best Democratic (I don't mean partisan, but real Democratic) speeches he ever made. It is still in existence, having been presented to the world by some appreciative reporter. In it he attacked and laid bare the senselessness of the jackal cry Democracy, as applied to the party organization, appropriating that title to itself. He contended that there were no questions of real Democracy involved in the struggles between parties for many Administrations back. That every Administration had its particular policy, which did not essentially involve a Democratic issue. And he illustrated this point by directing the attention of his hearers to the fact that the particular mission of Polk's Administration was the acquisition of Texas and Oregon; of Van Buren's and Jackson's, some similar objects which I do not now specifically recollect, as I am only quoting from memory. I have never seen the speech but once, and that is some time since. At any rate, he labored to establish the fact--and to my way of thinking most successfully did establish it--that Democracy is what Democracy does, and that the organization which now appropriates to itself the name of Democracy is far from acting democratically. This speech was reproduced in this Territory some time ago, when Smith (and I think it was one of the weakest things he ever did) wrote a letter to the Statesman, of this Territory, explaining the circumstances of his Iowa apostasy, and complaining of the unfairness of remembering his sins so long, when he had been ever since on the "cutty stool" of repentance, penitentiam agitae (doing penance) for that one political sin. And he added, most pathetically, that he hoped for forgiveness, promising never to stray from the true Democratic fold again, as he had had quite enough experience to convince him that there "was little use in butting one's brains out against their party, for that what reforms one could not effect inside of it, could not be effected on the outside." Well, "the party" here have pronounced him absolutionem pescatorium, and so do 1, and trust he may find no remembrancer of his apostasy, either in his conscience or his colleagues at Washington. The ousted collegian--the "Lost Minister"--the infidel (?) editor--the jackal of the Iowa Dodges--the rebellious, but now repentant, forgiven and reinstated Democrat--has at last reached the goal of his ambition, a seat in the United States Senate. Thanks to nature, in the first place, for the full, clear, round voice with which she has gifted our Senator; and in the next place, to a concurrence of circumstances which made it impossible for the Oregon wireworkers to play their old tricks, to treat Delazon Smith as they intended to do, and as his Iowa friends did, without breaking their own political necks. "Good faith in politics! good faith in politics! I go for good faith in politics!" quoth that admirable little compound of selfishness and deceit, the presiding genius of the Oregon Statesman. And well the cute little Yankee fellow might raise such a slogan at such a time. The returns of the last election for State Printer tells the why. Had he and the coterie of foxy little politicians, of which his organ is the soul and center, observed "bad faith in politics" towards Smith in this instance, instead of coming out four hundred ahead at future elections, he might have--I do not say he would--left the majority more largely on the other side. He held in his hand the bell rope that would sound the death knell of Oregon cliquedom, for his influence in the populous county of Linn alone, if arrayed against them, would have sent the Salem clique "a wool gathering." It was this dread hanging over the heads of his "dear friends" which made them cry out, in their strong agony, for fair play and "good faith in politics," and not either political honesty of purpose or gratitude. It was a cherished, long meditated course, with some of their number, at least, to throw Smith and Lane both into a corner, and give the election to nearer and dearer personal friends. But this time trickery was not able to cope with the logic of events. So, after many years of buffeting with unpropitious fortune (I speak politically), Smith's star is in the ascendant. His gratitude to his friends (?) is, no doubt, unbounded. Well, be it so. I would not damp his exuberant spirits or take one feeling from the grateful emotions of humanity, for God knows such virtues are rare enough in our day, but I would have him keep his friends; they will be his friends just so long as he can keep them in proper subjection, as fire so restrained is the servant of man. But they will strive for the mastery; their motto is, "The cunning hand uppermost." They are not unlike the wren, which is said to have flown higher than the eagle, by fastening itself in the plumage of the bird of the sun until the latter became too much jaded to ascend higher, when his wrenship rushed out of his hiding place, soared a few flights higher, and called upon the wondering multitude of birds below to behold their king. It is ever so with the school of political wrens who have governed in Oregon. They get on the back of any great man who is ascending, whether he is Douglas, Judge Pratt, Col. Kelly, Gen. Adair, Governor Curry, Gen. Lane, or someone else, who bears them up for a time, but as soon as they feel his strength beginning to fail and his power to culminate, then they come the wren game over him. Senator Smith is the eagle for the present--may he profit by the fate of those who have gone before him. My business, however, is with the Senator, and not with the circumstances, men and things by which he is surrounded; though I feel that without an etching of those latter my sketch would be incomplete. Had Smith improved properly upon Nature's foundation for a great orator, had he stocked his mind with classic, legal and political lore at the time he quarreled with the faculty of Oberlin, and had he been thus returned to Congress at an earlier period in life, few men would have made a deeper mark in the history of their time than he would have done. What he is, he has made himself, in spite of obstacles which would have kept men of ordinary minds in obscurity forever. To a superficial observer there is little remarkable in his personal appearance. He is a small, smart man, with light-colored hair, which he wears long, according to the fashion of the times. His round, full eye, and coarse, strong mouth (resembling, in some respects, that of Henry Clay), are his most striking features to a physiognomist. Indeed, few can look into that eye, in his moments of animation, without feeling something of the "Darker sin that's
hid within
But
it is only when he is excited that what's in comes out. His
conversation is animated and full of pleasantry when amongst a lot of
jovial companions. He is always, in such cases, heard before he is
seen. Few men can tell an anecdote or relate a piece of drollery, or
mimic the conversation and manner of his friend, his brother, or his
next of kin, with such an air of freedom and power of truthfulness to
nature, us well as he. His performances, in this particular, are
surprising, and never fail to set big audiences in a roar, at the
expense of the unfortunate subject. As may be expected, his favorite
subjects on whom to exercise in his ironical and mimic moods are
usually his political opponents--particularly parsons, deacons and
pious politicians of the Republican school, pretending to superior
politico-religious morality. Don't understand by this that he has any
set hatred to religionists, as such, for he claims to be himself a
member of the Methodist Episcopal Church, and was, for a short time
during his eventful life, a preacher of that persuasion. If he was, he
was certainly noisy
enough for that, or any other sect. Many very funny anecdotes are told
of his conversion--which I believe was effected under the Rev. Mr.
Dean, of Iowa, who was Chaplain to the United States Senate the
Congress before the present--and of his zeal in the new faith, but I
cannot take space to relate them.The wit's wild glow--" His first legislative experience was gained in this Territory. In 1854 lie was returned to the Legislature of 1854-5 by the county of Linn, when his eloquence immediately attracted the attention of the politicians and the country. He served in the subsequent Legislature of 1855-6 in the capacity of Speaker of the House of Representatives, in which position, I must say, he was out of his place, for he is not a parliamentarian. His place is on the floor. He was also a member of the same House in 1856-7, and in the latter year was an active member of the Convention which framed the State Constitution. When he rises to make a speech (and he nearly always speaks on the spur of the moment, and without preparation), for the first few minutes his manner is painfully hesitating, as if he were at a loss for ideas, or for suitable words to convey them in. He has also a very awkward habit during this period of commencing his sentences with "and-a" (the "a" pronounced as "e" in men), as a sort of "start note," as musicians would call it. But as he waxes warm and more especially if he is taunted or interrupted by a cut from an opponent "in his seat," both the "and-a" and the hesitating manner disappear, and you listen only to the fervid orator pouring forth bursts of eloquence that electrify his hearers. The little man swells to twice his natural dimensions, even in personal appearance. His whole soul appears in his face, which is in an agony of sweat; the great veins on his neck and face swell out as thick as willows, and he tosses his head, setting his boyish tow-hair on end in a peculiar manner, reminding one of the angry shrug of the king of beasts, which action has won for Smith the not inapt sobriquet of "the Lion of Linn." In this excited manner he usually continues until he commences his peroration, which is uttered in a most calm tone, and with emphasis, but entirely free from the hesitancy inseparable from his preface. Conscious of his power, he is frequently on his feet, ever ready to defend his "party" or his personal and political antecedents. At Washington he is not likely to be a silent member, but is sure to make his share of work for the reporters. As to the characteristics of his speeches, like most men of his school of oratory, they are more eloquent than argumentative. They appeal to the passions rather than the judgment. In the days of Pitt or Castlereagh, and before the art of verbatim reporting was reduced to a science, when the effects of a speech were confined inside the four walls of a legislative hall, our friend Smith would have been an effective orator. Now, however, when the audience of a public man is not only a nation but the civilized world, grasp of thought is more effective than rhetorical figures. And herein I fear Smith will cut a shabby figure by the side of such minds as Seward or Crittenden or merry Jack Hale possess. In this respect he no doubt will improve rapidly with experience, but he will miss the foundation that ought to have been laid when he quarreled with old Professor Mahan, of Oberlin College. Those who listen to Smith's speeches delivered cannot fail to go away full of admiration of the orator's powers, but on reading them are always astonished at their poverty of ideas. These and those effects are clearly traceable--the first to the natural gifts of the orator, his organ-like voice, that always, in its lowest tones, fills a hall of any dimensions, and on its highest keys is heard distinctly twenty, fifty and even a hundred rods outside the building--and the last, the poverty of his reported speeches--to the fact that Smith is no student. Indeed, it is evident that he cultivates his voice, to the exclusion of his head, with assiduous care. A favorite practice with him is to read Shakespeare aloud to himself for hours at a time. In this way he once told us he had done most to improve his enunciation, which is, indeed, distinct and accurate to a remarkable decree. But whatever may be said of his other gifts, certainly the most remarkable of them is his intuitive power of arrangement. His style, if often low, is yet clear and comprehensive. He always uses the right word in the right place, and his command of language, his power of translating his thoughts (such as they are) into words, is only excelled by the harmony of all the parts of his "talk." It is done, too, without apparent effort. Like a skillful mechanic, who constructs each of the various parts of a machine with mathematical precision, which when they are completed fit into one another with the utmost nicety, making one harmonious whole, even so do the various parts of his speeches drop into their proper places. His greatest fault in this respect is perhaps the diffusiveness of his introductory and closing remarks. Some of his friends (?) say in regard to his speeches, that "a brick out of the wall shows the materials out of which the whole house is constructed," thereby intimating that he sings the one song all the time. The remark is perhaps a mixture of truth and political professional jealousy. That his matter is not very varied in his speeches eulogistic of "our party, the great Democratic Party," is measurably true, as well as that he uses too many worn-out, set phrases and figures of speech on such occasions. It is true, also, that one loses something of the interest felt on first hearing him, in subsequent audiences. But this is natural. Few speakers have the faculty of being always varied, always original, and always entertaining, especially those who, like Smith, talk frequently and without preparation. Whatever defects are to be observed in his matter, this much may be said: his manner is fervid and faultless; he possesses the secret of real eloquence in that he feels as he speaks. A very different style of man our Representative to the lower house of Congress. Lafayette Grover is a native of the state of Maine, but his family went to reside, while he was yet young, in Oxford County, Pennsylvania. He is a young man (a lawyer by profession), not over thirty, and is very popular in this country. His popularity is, though, more of a negative than a positive character. He is one of those persons whom we sometimes see in life who "haven't an enemy in the world," as the result of a studied effort to please everybody, with an eye single to a certain object. When such men get the "Democratic nomination" they are sure to run well. Such has been the case with Grover--he ran ahead of his ticket largely last June, distancing the editor of the Statesman (who thought, until then, that he was the most popular man in the Territory) over twelve hundred votes. It would be difficult to find a school of orators or statesmen in this country or England in which to assign Grover a position, although his class presents the anomaly of being the most numerous of late years in the British Parliament, if not in Congress. He is a talker, though nothing approaching an orator; and what is worse, never will be. What is better, perhaps, is that he always talks good sense. But his manner! His manner, cold and passionless as a stone, without a rising or a falling inflection in his periods; without a change in his countenance, or a visible emotion to relieve the monotony of his sentences, and ceaseless array of facts and figures, is perfectly chilling to his auditors. There is nothing about him of the divine delirium that sometimes inspires contending statesmen. Yet his speeches read very well--perhaps better than our friend Senator Smith. His forte is statistics. His is a perfect Tom Gradgrind, or Josiah Bounderby, of Coketown, at statistics; and as destitute of sentiment as Dickens describes our two worthy materialists, just named, to be. Indeed, they are the representatives of the only class where Grover would not be out of place. With him and them there is only one real good in the world--success--and they are always calculating towards it. Sentiment! and emotions! and feelings of wonder that drive in the bosoms of foolish people! What business have people to have such things? They don't do anything towards enriching the statistician's world; they don't do anything towards building a railroad or a factory, or an ocean steamer; nor will they get silk, lace and tea for my Loo Bounderby! In view of our immense war debt, the people of Oregon, who have an eye to practical profits, as well as the Bounderbys and Gradgrinds, made, we think, a wise action in Grover. Aside from his calculating qualities, he has had experience as one of the members of the commission appointed by Congress to audit our last war expenses, and, taken for all in all, it he doesn't make such a great noise in Congress as others we wot of, our interests at least won't suffer in his hands. Besides, as he is one of the "prudent politicians" who "thick twice before they speak once," there is no fear of his committing any indiscretions calculated to compromise "our party." "Whoever'll be miller he'll be d--g" sure to be on the strong side, with head erect, looking out for number one. For him we prophesy a successful career, if not a brilliant one, for success (alas! that it should be so) usually attends such materials. A CELT.
[Patrick
J. Malone]
Sacramento
Daily Union, December 8, 1858, page
1The news of the defeat of the Buchananites in Indiana, Ohio and Pennsylvania, received by last mail, has produced secret joy amongst the ruling politicians of the clique school here, but they dare not let it appear in the organ published in this place. It simply gives the returns without comment, but, as I told you in my last, with Douglas' brightening prospects, it lets in a little more for him, in the shape of giving place to opinions expressed in his favor by Senator Brown, of Mississippi, and by the St. Louis Republican. The hatred of the clique politicians towards their quondam friend, Jo Lane, grows every day more intense. "The General" had the imprudence, as well as the impudence, to encourage, aid and comfort two rival shops (that of the Portland Times and Standard) of the organ--the Statesman--published here, thus ensuring the mortal enmity of the presiding genius of the latter, who is the ruling spirit of the triumphant "clique." Henceforth our delegation at Washington (when we become a state), like Gwin and Broderick, will war to please their adherents at home in the matter of Oregon's share of the drippings from the fingers of the pure old man who dispenses the nation's revenues. The clique swear that Grover and Smith must work for and procure the removal of Lane's favorites, beginning with Gen. Adair, the Collector of Customs at Astoria; and Lane's supporters maintain that Lane being au old fogey like "the venerable President," he is possessed of sufficient influence at Court to more than equipoise that of the "clique" Senator and Representative. We will have a delightful time of it when our Opposition Rotators at Washington get fully under way. P. J. Malone, "Letter from Oregon," Sacramento Daily Union, December 22, 1858, page 1 THE OVERLAND TRIP.--Delazon Smith, United States Senator from Oregon, writes to the Jacksonville (O.T.) Sentinel, from Washington, that General Lane contemplates piloting an emigrating party across the plains in the spring, in which event, Delazon says, he will accompany another party, going together as far as Salt Lake--Lane proceeding to Roseburg by the way of Jacksonville, and Smith to the Dalles of the Columbia. He also says there will be a large emigration to Oregon in the spring. Sacramento Daily Union, January 28, 1859, page 3 Gen. Lane writes to the Jacksonville Sentinel--"I am opposed to the principle of double or constructive mileage." In view of the fact that Gen. Lane has drawn from the Treasury over twenty thousand dollars, for "constructive mileage," his "opposition to the principle" must certainly belong to that class easily overcome. "Constructive mileage" is mileage for constructive travel, or travel never performed. For the several years of 1852, 1854, 1856 and 1858, Gen. Lane drew mileage, amounting to a little over $5,000 for each of those years, for travel from Oregon to Washington. In neither of those years did Gen. Lane perform such travel. Thus, he has drawn over $20,000 "constructive mileage," in spite of his "opposition to the principle." We attach no censure to Gen. Lane, for drawing constructive mileage, as above. It was proper enough, and what any other man would have done under the same circumstances. And it is doubtless what every Oregon member of Congress will continue to do. But, after doing it, it is not necessary to write to the public press, expressing "opposition to the principle." Gen. Lane also says "some persons in Oregon who claim to be Democrats have charged that the failure of action upon the bill for the admission of Oregon was owing to my neglect," &c. This "who claim to be Democrats" is decidedly cool, when we consider the fact that Gen. Lane has never voted for a Democrat in Oregon, unless, perchance, he did so in 1849. Since that time we think he has never voted. Oregon Statesman, Salem, February 1, 1859, page 2 The Democratic Standard makes a sort of "Miss Nancy" defense of General Lane, who has been recently attacked in the rear by the Statesman. The Times has filed another answer in chancery, or a sort of codicil to the will. We only wait now for the Jacksonville Sentinel. Then will be witnessed a specimen of special pleading in defense of the old General which will eclipse all efforts heretofore put forth in political jurisprudence. Why don't some of the friends of Gen. Lane come out manfully, boldly and valiantly in his defense? Are they all afraid of Bush and the Salem clique, or are they coquetting? It would appear that it is about six of one and a half dozen of the other. Out upon such defense, either be a "man or a mouse"! Weekly Oregonian, Portland, February 12, 1859, page 2 The address written for Gen. Lane styles the Statesman "a paper hitherto regarded as one of the most prominent, influential and orthodox in the Territory." In speaking of its orthodoxy, he might have added to "hitherto has been," "now is, and ever will be." Oregon Statesman, Salem, March 15, 1859, page 3 Gen. Joseph Lane.
And yet, the St. Joseph Gazette
goes into ecstasies over the suggestion of his name for the
Presidency. It says that "no better nomination could.be. made
by the Charleston Convention"--and declares--
This individual, we notice, has been spoken of in some quarters as the
probable Democratic candidate for the Presidency in 1860. He is at
present a Senator from Oregon, and was formerly from Indiana. Outside
of Oregon, and beyond the limits of Indiana, we much doubt whether he
is known by reputation to one individual in ten thousand. He is,
perhaps, a man of ordinary intellect--though we have our doubts about
that. He has never distinguished himself in any position which he has
occupied.
"The name of Gen. Jo. Lane is familiar at every fireside in the country, and carries with it associations of purity, patriotism and excellence. The father, in his enumeration of the good and great men of the country, pronounces it with emphasis, and the whole circle of wife and children reiterate it with pride and gratification. Gen. Jo. Lane! It is a household word--a name universally known and universally beloved. Who that remembers him as the brave, whole-souled, generous pioneer; the dauntless and magnanimous soldier; the sound, sedate and dignified statesman; the warm, sincere and constant friend, and the cheerful, affable and instructive companion, that does not feel his heart swell with pleasure at the mention of his name." We happen to know several firesides in the land to which Gen. Jo. Lane is an utter stranger; and a number of fathers who would fail to mention him in their "enumeration of the good and great men of the country." We don't remember Jo. Lane as the man represented by the Gazette, and consequently our heart doesn't swell, to any extent, at the mention of his name! Jo. Lane is, however, good enough timber for the Democratic Party. He would, no doubt, do as well as either Pierce or Buchanan. It's a consolation to know that he couldn't do any worse--unless he stretched matters just as far as his conscience would possibly allow him, and then doubled on it. Such eulogies, upon such men, are, to say the least, rather nauseating. It is disgusting enough to listen to the high-colored eulogiums that the Douglasites shower upon their god, but this is slightly worse. Quincy Weekly Whig and Republican, Quincy, Illinois, April 6, 1859, page 1 GEN. LANE AND DELUSION SMITH.
We copy the following from the Jacksonville Sentinel. We have
been impatiently waiting for our Democratic cotemporaries to echo the faint
praises of their United
States Senators, as described below. We have become alarmed lest the
people of Oregon will not generally know what sort of men we have in
the Congress of these United States, and therefore copy:
"General Lane's life was a part of his country's history. His deeds are the nation's treasures. Modest, retiring, and in his demeanor simple as a child, he 'loved his enemies,' provided they were high-minded, honorable men. All wrong or obloquy might be heaped upon himself, and he would remain unmoved as adamant. But wrong the country he loved, strike one of the humblest of his friends, and his rage seemed something more than the outburst of human passion; he was terrible. Men of common mold, and everyday (Sundays included) strength of passion, shrank at every word he uttered, and strong men, great men, felt that they would as soon play with the untamed lion. His eye was mild and deep as the azure eye of woman, but rouse him, cast but a breath of dishonor upon his friend, and it gleamed like that of the famished tiger. Rarely is there seen a man in whom the sense of honor was so high, and the purity and nobleness of purpose so great as in him. "General Lane's constant friend, and companion in arms, Delazon Smith, was one of those great men whom nature fashions in times of trouble. His complexion was originally very fair, but exposure had bronzed it. His eye was deep and dark, but not piercing--one of those cold, gray eyes, which seemed to read you through at one long first and last look, for at first sight he knew you, and never troubled himself to eye you again. His forehead, high and intellectual, told you plainly that when he had once formed a purpose, he lacked not the intellect, the will, or the purpose to execute it. He wore a broad-brimmed, old-fashioned hat, drawn low over his forehead, and coat cut quite behind the mode, yet every movement he made, everything he did and said, showed you in a moment that his personal appearance, 'the cut of his jib,' was not the result of eccentricity or neglect of appearance, but that he had something else to do besides study or follow the fashion. He moved as unconcernedly about as if he had been a carpet knight all his days." Weekly Oregonian, Portland, April 9, 1859, page 2 SAILED FOR CALIFORNIA.--The United States mail steamer Moses Taylor left New York Saturday for Aspinwall with a large number of passengers, among whom were Hon. Joseph Lane, United States Senator from Oregon, Hon. Wm. A Grover, Hon. Jas. M. Crane, Lieut. Mullan, U.S.A.; Gen. Mandeville, surveyor general of California, and several other gentlemen. Richmond Dispatch, Virginia, April 12, 1859, page 1 WINCHESTER LAND OFFICE CONVENTION.
The convention met in pursuance of a call of the central committee, at
Roseburg, on the 9th of April, 1859, and was organized by electing
Solomon Fitzhugh chairman and A. J. Burnett secretary.
The following persons were elected delegates to the state convention: James B. Weaver, Wm. J. Martin, Jesse Barker and J. C. Floed. The committee on resolutions reported the following, which were adopted: Resolved, That with the cause of Democracy the interest of our whole country is identified. We desire oblivion of all differences growing out of now past and obsolete ideas and call on all members of the Democratic family to unite heartily and earnestly in support of the nominees of the Salem Convention. Resolved, That the Hon. Joseph Lane, by his unwavering fidelity to every trust heretofore reposed in him by the Democracy of Oregon, by his diligent and watchful performance of duty as our representative, and by his manly and eloquent defense of our rights on the House of Representatives, richly merits the plaudit, "Well done, thou good and faithful servant." Resolved, That we regard the course of Mr. Bush, State Printer, in publishing in his paper false and slanderous charges against the political character of Gen. Lane and other tried and faithful Democrats, as unjust and anti-Democratic, and believing that such a course can only result in injury to the party; our delegates are instructed to express our decided disapprobation of it. The convention then proceeded to make the following county nominations: Superintendent of common schools--S. Hamilton. Assessor--Philip M. Rhodes. On motion the chairman appointed a central committee for the county, with power to fill vacancies in the county ticket. Central committee--W. J. Martin, R. M. Hutchinson, W. R. Singleton, S. Hamilton, A. J. Burnett. On motion, the proceedings of the convention were ordered to be printed in the Democratic papers of the state. S.
Fitzhugh, Chairman
A. J. Burnett, Secretary. ----
Of course! The land office "disapproves." It was so incensed that it
"stopped" its paper,
though it has not stopped reading
it. If it didn't disapprove and do aught else
necessary to sustain the personal
party, it
would be very ungrateful. If it did not "disapprove"
we should feel certain that the Statesman
had not been doing its duty towards the Democratic
Party in resisting its attempt
to degrade it into a contemptible man party. The Statesman does
not care a straw for your petty and spiteful censure, or whether you
approve or disapprove. It is one paper that can't be laid under
contribution, and will maintain its identity and its independence.We have no official copy of the above proceedings, but take them from a slip printed at the Black Republican office at Eugene, and expressed here by Mr. Mosher. By due course of mail we shall probably learn how it was "did," and who did it. We think it will be found that the opposition have been largely drawn upon for aid. The land office has passed its resolutions. We will pass one now: Resolved, That the appointment of sadly incompetent persons to important offices, and the devotion of most of the time of said officers, competent and incompetent, to electioneering for Lane, and a Lane party, "can only result in injury to the Democratic Party" and the country, and we express the people's decided disapprobation thereof. Oregon Statesman, Salem, April 19, 1859, page 2 From this point on, the Statesman can no longer be relied on as an objective observer of Lane's career. LETTER FROM HON. F. B. MARTIN.
Yamhill
Co., Ogn., March 24, 1859.
Friend Bush--Gen. Lane's letter to the people of Oregon has been
carefully read by me; I for one cannot exonerate the Gen. for his
unfaithfulness at the last session, on the admission of Oregon. Gen.
Lane, in the town of Lafayette, told the people that they had a right
to make a slave or free constitution, and when their convention met and
formed a constitution for Oregon, and that constitution was confirmed
by a majority vote of the people of Oregon, let it be slave or free,
when forwarded to Washington he would use every effort in his power to
have Oregon admitted into the Union on an equal footing with the
original states. Now the question comes up, did Gen. Lane do as he
promised? I for one think he did not: my reasons for thinking so are
these: After the admission bill passed the Senate and went to the
House, Gen. Lane and his friends have failed to show from the Journals
of the House that he ever made any effort to get the bill to pass that
body, or have it considered there. Now if he made no effort in the
House when he was a Delegate to get the bill through that body, the
Journals of Congress and Gen. Lane's own letters stand as witness
against him.In a court of justice, when a man is a witness for himself and his own evidence convicts him, a juror has but little trouble in making up his verdict. So I think it will be with the Democratic jurors of Oregon. The words of the great statesman Gen. Jackson were "measures and not men." We profess to be Democrats of the same school, and I think we are. It strikes me that my old friend Gen. Lane preferred men, or man, before measures, and that man himself. The admission of Oregon was a great measure and one that had been sanctioned by more than a two-thirds vote of the people of Oregon, so that measure went to Gen. Lane, at Washington, with more than a two-thirds majority vote of the people of Oregon; still, with that great majority, and the measure one of importance, and he pledged to the people in his public speeches, before his election as Delegate, to use every effort in his power to carry that measure, and then sat silently in the House where he was a Delegate, and let it be packed off by his personal and political friend to the Committee on Territories, and he know nothing of it, is a thing which I cannot believe. I think that Gen. Lane feared he would not be one of the Senators of the state of Oregon. Some Democrats say down with Bush, that Lane may live, and be honored with a renomination to Congress, or elected again to the Senate. I say down with no man at the expense of truth and justice, but I do say let the fatal blow fall upon the guilty head, if it be no less illustrious personage than Gen. Joseph Lane. If you never do anything worse than tell the truth on Gen. Lane, or any other person holding office by election, or appointment, you will be respected and honored by Democrats of integrity and firmness. The Democrats of Yamhill prefer measures to men, but I fear there are some in other parties of the state who prefer men to measures, but I think they will be a small minority. Last year we had to contend against Nationalism and Republicanism, united as one man to defeat the Democratic Party. This year we may expect something to transpire. The Democracy are ready for any contingency if they only use the weapons which have ever brought victory to their standard, that is, truth and justice, and take the advice of the lamented Jackson and go for "measures and not men." F.
B. Martin.
Oregon Statesman, Salem,
April 19, 1859, pages 2-3THE PERSONAL PARTY.
If anyone has doubted the existence of a deep-laid plan on the part of
Gen. Lane and his friends to build up and sustain a personal party
within the Democratic organization in Oregon, and to retain all
official power, honors and emoluments in the hands of a coterie devoted
solely to Lane's interests, the events of the past week must remove the
last doubt as to the real state of the case. No one, who is not
willingly and interestedly blind, can fail to see, in the course
pursued by the friends and supporters of Gen. Lane, both previous to
and in the state convention, a determination to make their one-man
hobby the paramount issue in the convention, and, even at the peril of
the interests of the country, and the risk of destroying the Democratic
organization, to visit their condemnation upon all who refused to aid
their darling scheme of perpetuating Gen. Lane in Congress, and thereby
perpetuating their own power and influence. For several years past, by
all the means in their power--by liberal promises, by the judicious
distribution of offices and official patronage, and by convenient
bargaining with the opposition--they have been adding strength to this
personal party, and riveting the chain which should bind Gen. Lane like
a millstone upon the neck of Oregon. For some time past, whenever they
have considered themselves strong enough to make the attempt, they have
endeavored to proscribe all who would not succumb to the one-man power,
and, regardless of principle or self-respect, substitute fealty to the
man for fealty to the principles of the Democratic Party. This
proscriptive feeling was carried into the election last year, and in
more than one county in the state the Lane influence (we do not speak
of Lane's immediate individual
influence, but of that of his personal friends and supporters) was lent
to the defeat of regularly nominated Democratic candidates, for the
sole reason that they were known or suspected to prefer someone else to
Gen. Lane for official position. This influence was used secretly, of
course (although Hibben indiscreetly avowed that he would support no
candidate for the legislature who was not for Lane for the Senate). But
last winter, in the Territorial Legislature, the Lane party, emboldened
by the circumstance that no opposition had been offered to the election
of Gen. Lane to the U.S. Senate, and confident in their supposed
strength, evinced a spirit of intolerance and even of truculence
towards anti-Lane Democrats, which was both unjustifiable and unseemly,
and which was at length carried to such an extent as to excite
expressions of surprise and disapprobation from the opposition members.
In that legislature, the Lane Democrats fairly outdid the bitterest of
the opposition in their attacks upon and persecution of anti-Lane
Democrats, and in one instance, where some of the Lane party opposed a
measure of public importance, they did not hesitate to avow, as the
reason of their opposition, that one of the parties interested in the
measure was believed to be unfriendly to Gen. Lane. In short, the whole
conduct of the Lane party in the last Territorial Legislature was
tyrannous and intolerant to the last degree, and such as, it was
believed, would be heartily condemned by the intelligence and good
sense of the masses of the Democratic Party.
But this spirit of intolerance and proscription reached its climax last week, when, regardless alike of the first and dearest interests of the state, and of the known wishes of a large majority of the Democratic Party, a minority of the state convention, by means which we need not detail here, procured the sacrifice of Mr. Grover to this unholy personal alliance. It is undeniable that Mr. Grover was the first, last and only choice of the Democracy of Oregon for Representative to Congress; a majority of the delegates came to the convention fully intending to support him, and to urge his nomination, but it had been decreed by the Lane party that Mr. Grover must be defeated. It was not charged that he had been derelict in his duty; it was not even attempted to be denied that he had been energetic, faithful and persevering in the discharge of his trust; it was acknowledged that he had rendered most efficient aid to our interests during the short time he was permitted to act as our Representative; he was not accused of any act or word of hostility to Gen. Lane. His offense (one of great enormity in the eyes of the Lane men) was that he had refused to become a mere echo and pliant tool of Gen. Lane, that he had dared to maintain his self-respect and independence in spite of the efforts which were made to draw him to the support of the personal party, and that he had chosen to devote his time and influence at Washington to the interests of his constituents and of the country, rather than to the perpetuation of Gen. Lane in office. This was the crime, and the only crime, for which Mr. Grove was ostracized. There was no other pretext for the conduct of the Lane party, but that Mr. Grover had not committed himself unconditionally to Lane and his interests. Gen. Lane's relatives and retainers (in office and expecting to be) were in the convention, when they could get in, and about it when they could not, zealously conspiring for Grover's defeat. That the gist of the matter was Lane-ism, and nothing else, is manifest from the refusal of the Lane caucus to keep their promise with the Linn delegation. After promising that that delegation might name the candidate, they refused to accept Judge Williams, when they had named him, averring that he was not for Lane. He no more than Grover would consent to sink his identity, become a mere echo of Gen. Lane, and devote himself to his praise. It is by no means certain that the order for this deed has not come from Washington City! Mr. Mosher was one of the candidates for Congress voted for in the Lane caucus. Mr. Grover and his friends had every reason to believe and to expect that he would be returned to the position which he had filled with honor to himself and with faithfulness to his constituents. He had, by his untiring industry, laid the foundation for future usefulness in that position; he had prepared a large amount of work involving the vital interests of Oregon, to be completed at the next Congress, in which he had shown himself peculiarly qualified to serve our interests as our Representative. His defeat at his time, and under existing circumstances, will be construed into a disapproval of the measures he has urged in our behalf; it will be considered as a virtual acknowledgment of the truth of the charge that our war debt is founded upon fraud and speculation, that the ablest and most earnest advocate of the justice of our claims upon the government has always been virtually condemned and stricken down, without even the form of an accusation, and in the face of a most able and eloquent effort for the payment of those claims. Mr. Grover is not the party most injured by this transaction. Although he cannot but experience regret and mortification at the ingratitude and treachery by which he has been betrayed, he can point with pride to his stainless record, and defy the puny malice of his enemies. He now, more than ever, occupies a position in the esteem and affection of the people of Oregon, from which no fraud or trick can remove him. To him, personally, this defeat is not important. He has been wronged by unfair means, but the people will right him in their own good time. The Democratic Party is the sufferer by this wrong. The country is the sufferer, and every individual citizen of the state of Oregon will have cause to regret the spirit of personal partisanship which sacrificed the harmony of the Democratic Party, and the best interests of the state, to the gratification of private and personal revenge. And bitterly will Gen. Lane and his friends regret the day when they offered the Hon. L. F. Grover as a victim upon the altar of their one-man party. Oregon Statesman, Salem, April 26, 1859, page 2 "THE SALEM CLIQUE."
For nearly a half score of years it has been persistently and
incessantly charged that there existed a political organization in
Oregon known as the "Salem Clique," and that the influence of that
mythical body, which none saw, governed Oregon. This song has been
"dinned" into the public ear, until, finally, it has borne its natural
fruit of suspicion and prejudice. It is impossible that it should be
otherwise; "the constant dropping of water will wear a stone"; and the
constant dropping of falsehood, year in and year out, will mislead
right-intentioned persons.
That there has been such a body as the "Salem Clique," as charged, is an error; the Democratic Party has been the only "clique" we have known of, and of its deeds it need not be ashamed. It has governed Oregon during its whole Territorial existence, with justice, with judgment, with prudence; in short, wisely and well. It points to a state starting upon its career without debt, and with credit unimpaired. It points to a record without stain, and as free from errors of judgment as human fallibility often leaves. If this is the work of a mysterious "clique," then the people of Oregon, secure in the enjoyment of every right, lightly taxed and free from public debt, will not complain. It is boastfully said that what are called "Lane men" were in the majority of the late Democratic convention, and they are contradistinguished from other Democrats by that name. This is a mistake; and those who adopt that conclusion deceive themselves. We will not comment with bitterness, or in a spirit of crimination, upon the distracted and boisterous proceedings of the late convention. But it is due the Democracy and the public that facts should be neither perverted nor smothered. A calm, temperate statement of them can do neither parties nor candidates harm. The peculiar adherents of Gen. Lane were far from being in a majority in the late convention. Indeed, they did not comprise, at the utmost, more than one-third of that body, and generally represented opposition counties. Let us see. We will enumerate as follows: five from Jackson, four from Douglas, five from Lane (three present), two from Benton, five from Clackamas, five from Multnomah, and one from Chicago. Of these twenty-seven, one from Clackamas has not been a Lane man, two from Multnomah profess not to be, one from Benton and one from Lane are not very much so, and one, at least, elected from Lane, but not present, was a decided anti-Lane man. The Lane County convention adopted a resolution endorsing the congressional delegation, by the casting vote of the chairman, and then reconsidered and laid it on the table. These are all the distinctive "Lane men" in the convention, and they are to be taken subject to the above qualifications. That there were others in the convention who were not anti-Lane, and who do not oppose that gentleman, is true. But they were far from being "Lane men" in the understood sense. Thus, we say those who conclude from the complexion of the late convention the domination of Lane-ism in the Democratic Party, deceive themselves. There were in that convention more declared anti-personal party delegates than there were Lane party men. There were not less than thirty members who voted against the mildest form of a resolution applauding Gen. Lane, and they, almost without exception, represented strongly Democratic counties. Leaving out the question of the senatorial succession, and the united Democracy of Linn would cordially sympathize and heartily cooperate with those thirty. Does anyone doubt this? Does anyone doubt, that, if there had been no senatorial election, or if Mr. Smith's reelection had been supported by the Democracy of Marion, that Marion and Linn would both have supported Mr. Grover, and have stood shoulder to shoulder in the late convention? We presume not a man. There is now no difference of sentiment in the two counties in regard to Gen. Lane, and, present obstacles removed, the two counties will act, in this matter of a personal party, as they think, alike. Ninety-five of every hundred Democrats in Linn know this; and if Winchester hopes otherwise, its hopes are destined to be blasted. Mr. Grover was formerly tendered the support of Linn County upon condition that Marion would support their candidate for the U.S. Senate. Had Marion acceded to that proposition, what the Winchester interest terms the "Salem Clique" would have had a positive majority in the convention. Did this ever occur to them? And did it ever occur to them that it would have better accorded with the feelings and sentiments of the Linn delegates (the senatorial question not in the way) to have supported Mr. Grover and sustained their old friends? We think that in the defeat of Mr. Grover, the will of not only the Democracy but that of the people of Oregon has been thwarted. We think the opponents of the "Salem Clique" cannot point to an instance where they ever thus disregarded and did violence to the public will, and trifled with the public interests in a nomination. It may be asked how was this brought about? IMMEDIATELY, by tactics imported from a neighboring state! A member of Gen. Lane's family, though holding an appointment, has spent the most of the past two months away from his office, visiting the extremes of the Territory. Grover had attended to his duties as Congressman, and left fulsome adulation of Gen. Lane to Hibben and others. This made his defeat desirable in rabid Lane circles. While the public heard no name but Grover's talked of for the Democratic nomination, a faction was secretly and zealously at work to defeat him. When the delegates came together, the north and the south were, in the main, induced to act in concert. Mr. Smith's friends in the Linn delegation were told that the "Salem Clique" was opposed to his return to the Senate, and that his only chance lay with the adherents of Gen. Lane; he was threatened with their opposition if Linn County did not defeat Grover; he was promised their support if it did; men instructed for Grover, and men intending to support him, were, by one device and one representation and another, induced to go into a caucus convened expressly to defeat him, and thus taken against him in the convention, where the nomination ought to have been, but was not made. The body of the Linn delegation, mistakingly, as we believe, by acting with them. And thus Mr. Grover was sacrificed, and the country surprised and disappointed. So far from the late convention indicating that Gen. Lane has the support of the Democratic masses of Oregon, it indicates exactly the reverse to us. Considering the active efforts of his retainers, their bringing in outsiders of every hue, it is a matter of surprise that they succeeded so poorly, and got into the convention so small a minority of acknowledged "Lane men." And it proves conclusively that Gen. Lane has not the support of the Democratic masses of Oregon. In view of our great local interest--the war debt--and the position in which the events of the last session of Congress have placed it, this election was possessed of unusual interest to Oregon; we thought Mr. Grover the best man in Oregon to look after and support that interest. In one respect, this is an unusually important election, viewed in its political aspect; twice in the history of our government the election of President has gone to the House of Representatives, the electoral college failing to choose. In case there should be no choice in 1860, an event not likely to occur, however, the present House of Congress, of which Oregon is about to choose her member, will decide it--Oregon having there an equal voice with the other states, each state being entitled to one vote, and one only. In consideration of this possibly more than usual party importance, it behooved the convention, or rather side caucus, to have so conducted its proceedings, as to have united instead of distracting the Democratic Party. It behooved members of that convention to have made its nominations and transacted its business in sessions where all the members were admitted, and in the councils of which all were permitted a voice and a vote. It was a time when not only the unmistakable will of the party and the people should have been heeded in the selection of candidates, but a time when the mode of their selection should have permitted no question of its purity, regularity and fairness. Oregon Statesman, Salem, May 3, 1859, page 2 OREGON'S FRED. DOUGLAS.
Portland,
April 18, 1859.
Mr. Editor--I observe that the ebony-hued Hibben is out in the last Times
in a characteristic, lying, laudatory letter of his master Jo. Lane.
His efforts ought to pass as disinterested when it is remembered that
on his arrival in Oregon his first salutation to a stranger was, "I am
General Lane's dog; whose dog are you!" The disreputable occupation he
followed before Lane made him his body servant is only equaled by his
petty larceny instincts, which protrude like a livery stable sign from
his Ethiopian countenance. [Hibben's
photograph
gives no evidence of his being black.] Of course he
worships his benefactor--it is
that, or starve--and would do it for any man who would feed him when
that gaunt owl starvation stares him in the face at a short distance.The fulsome, sickening adulations which he heaped upon Lane were so mixed up in his editorial columns with praises of Arrigony's eleemosynary grub, and Wasserman cigars, that it was at one time doubtful which of his trio of benefactors would receive his support for the U.S. Senate. We, of Portland, recollect him as he used to sit perched like a big baboon upon his editorial tripod, reading anti-Lane men out of the Democratic Party, in his peculiar nasal twang, with free nigger gesticulations. Poor Hibben! He has been transplanted from Oregon to the more congenial sphere of Washington life, where "thrift may follow fawning." The next Black Republican candidate for the Presidency should buy him for the purpose of illustrating the peculiar capacity of the happy mixture of the negro, baboon and--dog. ORIENT.
Oregon Statesman, Salem,
May 3, 1859, page 2SLAVERY IN THE TERRITORIES.--Gen. Lane, of Oregon, thus expresses himself upon this question: In regard to the perplexing question of slavery, I hold that Congress has no power to legislate on the subject; that Congress can neither establish nor prohibit slavery in the territories; that the territories are the common property of the states of the Union, and while in a territorial condition, the people of all the states have equal rights in the enjoyment of such property as they may bring to the territories--otherwise there could be no equality of states; and further, I hold that the Legislative Assembly of a territory have no right, by non-action or hostile legislation, to exclude slavery from a territory, or, in other words, Congress cannot authorize a Legislative Assembly to do that they could not do themselves; and, that the Assembly can do nothing that Congress itself could not do. But I hold, also, that when the people of a territory come to form a state government, they then have the right to establish or prohibit slavery; and whatever their decision at that time may be on that question, Congress should admit the state into the Union regardless of that decision. San Joaquin Republican, Stockton, California, May 7, 1859, page 2 General Lane.
General Joseph Lane, United States Senator from Oregon, paid our town a
visit on Saturday last. He was honored with a salute, both on landing and on re-embarking.We look upon Gen. Lane as one of the soundest, most active, and most influential men at Washington. Ever alive to the interest of his constituents, he misses no opportunity of effecting something for their benefit. A sound National Democrat, his voice is even heard in opposition to sectionalism, come from what quarter it may. Bush and his kindred puppies may denounce and vilify him because he cannot be used for their personal benefit, but if we mistake not the people of Oregon, he will have their support over the ruins of a thousand Salem cliques. From all we could gather below last week, a yet higher destiny than that so far achieved awaits Gen. Lane. All accounts agree that at present he has the advantage over any other named man for the nomination for the Presidency by the Charleston Convention. Should he receive it, his election is certain. He is emphatically a man of the people, alike to all, be they rich or poor, ignorant or educated, high or low. Before him the dark clouds of Black Republicanism would vanish like the frost before the rising sun. We should be glad to see him in the position we have indicated. Crescent City Herald, November 29, 1854, page 3 From the Crescent City Herald, May, 1859.
General Joseph Lane, United States Senator from Oregon, paid our town a
visit on the 7th, while on his way up the coast. He was honored with a
salute, both on landing and on re-embarking.At the special session of the Senate, Mr. Lane of Oregon offered the following resolutions: Resolved, That the Secretary of War be directed to communicate to the Senate, at the commencement of the next Congress, the cost of moving to, maintaining in and withdrawing from Oregon the rifle regiment, with a detailed list of property of all description abandoned, lost and condemned as unfit for service, with the cost, in detail and in the aggregate, which such as were offered for sale brought. Resolved, That the Secretary of War be directed to communicate to the Senate a detailed statement of provisions and clothing issued to distressed families, whether emigrants or others, and to Indians, from the Army supplies, from 1849 down to the present time, and also the cost of supplies and of transportation of supplies for troops while on duty at Fort Lane, in Southern Oregon, and of the cost of transportation of supplies for regular troops while operating against the Indians in the southern portion of Oregon, or while in the field in other portions of Oregon, or operating in the field in Washington, and the price of men, horses, mules and oxen, in the service of the quartermasters. Resolved, That the Secretary of War be directed to communicate to the Senate the following information in relation to the expenses of the late Indian war in Oregon and Washington: 1. A statement of all subsistence and clothing purchased for each Territory, with the amount of each article and the prices, both in detail and in the aggregate, as per awards by the commission appointed under the act of Congress approved August 18, 1856, to ascertain and report the expenses necessarily incurred in suppressing Indian hostilities in the late Indian war in Oregon and Washington, by the territorial governments of said Territories. 2. A statement of the amount and cost, as per awards of said commission, of subsistence and clothing sold during and at the close of the war, with the amount brought at sale. 3. The amount and cost, as per awards of the said commission, of subsistence and clothing issued to volunteers, quartermasters, employees, distressed families, Indians and others, as well as the amount and cost of subsistence and clothing lost or abandoned in service. 4. The amount in detail and the cost, as per awards of said commission, of animals, wagons and all other means of transportation, with the amount and value in detail of all sales. 5. The average amount and value, as per awards of commission, of clothing issued to each man in service. 6. The amount and value, as per awards of the commission, of the rations issued to each man, and quartermaster's employee, and the amount and value of the same issued to distressed families and to Indians. The resolutions were adopted. Oregon Statesman, Salem, May 17, 1859, page 1 A Kerbyville correspondent says: "Smith and Lane spoke here on Sunday evening, June 26th, to a small audience. They doubtless injured the Democratic ticket in this county. Neither of them mentioned the slavery question." Of course not. The only question they cared about was the Lane question. They did not even oppose Logan upon the stump, but only made use of Stout's nomination as a justification and approval of themselves. Their speeches throughout the state were devoted to their own praises, and to the denunciation and abuse of all prominent Democrats who refused to support Lane's personal party, and to approve of the treachery and trickery of the Lane grocery caucus. Lane has caused more injury to the Democratic Party than any other man in the state, but the result of the late election has curtailed his power for evil. Oregon Statesman, Salem, May 19, 1859, page 2 EGOTISM.
Hundreds who have heard General Lane's harangues over the state have
left mortified at the disgusting exhibition of self-praise and egotism.
One of his own reporters makes him say, at Portland (and he said it, in
substance, almost everywhere), the following:
"Gen. Lane made a very effective speech. He detailed his sacrifices in the public services since he entered public life, in 1832, in the legislature of Indiana, in the war with Mexico, in the wilds of Oregon, both in the camp and in the executive chair--his bringing to condign punishment the Indian murderers of Whitman--his conquest over the Rogue River Indians, and his other many acts of duty and generosity to the people of Oregon, as a people, and as individuals." Lane was always a vain man, but he formerly had the good sense to avoid offensive exhibitions of it. But, surrounded as he is at Washington by a swarm of flatterers, idlers who earn their living by tickling the willing ear of a vain old man with adulation, it is inevitable that his vanity and egotism should increase in rapid ratio. And this will explain to many how Gen. Lane could talk for hours about himself and his services, a hundredfold magnified. The Hibbens and the Garrets, who feed by flattering him, tell him almost every hour of his life that he is a very extraordinary man, a marvelous patriot and wonderful statesman, and it is not strange that he has conceived the idea himself, and become inordinately egotistical. This reporter proceeds with Lane's speech: "His services in Congress were also referred to. He was now an old man, and a poor man to boot." This has been another leading feature of Lane's demagogical appeals. "He was a poor man, and didn't care for money." Gen. Lane does not care for money except for present uses; that is his reputation among the people, and knowing that, he has made the most of that material--has rung the changes upon it, with all the art and industry of which he is possessed. He has trumped up a man of straw, and then knocked it over; he assumed that he was accused of keeping the state out for the purpose of getting double constructive mileage, and then asserted that he "was a poor man, and didn't care for wealth," and appealed to the audience to know if that was not his character. We have always disclaimed that the mileage was the motive in keeping out the state--asserted that we didn't believe it--but that personal ambition was. But, we don't think the case will bear as much dwelling upon as Gen. Lane has bestowed. It is true that he cares not for money of itself, but he needs a vast deal. His Washington system cannot be kept up without it, and there have been men who didn't care for money, but yet who needed and used a great deal, and who would resort to questionable means to obtain it. Aaron Burr was perhaps more lavish and careless of money than any man who ever lived; at the same time, he used more and always wanted it! And the talk about being "a poor man" is a piece of demagogism in bad taste, to say the least. If it were true (and, strictly, it is not), it is certainly no fault of the people of Oregon, and no merit of his own. [Lane returned to Oregon poor, and died poor.] Gen. Lane has, since his nominal residence in Oregon, drawn from the public treasury near one hundred thousand dollars, for which he has rendered next to no service, except to enjoy a most luxurious life at Washington City. That he has seen fit to expend the most of his munificent salary for his gratification, or bestow it upon a band of harpies who were thereby purchased to praise him, and as he supposes, minister to the furtherance of his ambitious aspirations, which have become an all-absorbing passion with him, has conferred no benefit upon Oregon, and is not a matter with which he ought to go before the state, making a merit of, and claiming future support for. Politics in Oregon have cost him very little, if anything, except what he has bestowed upon such creatures as Hibben--imported and paid to serve Jo Lane alone, and not the Democratic Party. With such exceptions as that, whatever of his bountiful pay he has expended in politics has been done at Washington, and expressly for Jo Lane. Lane assumes, what is not the fact, that he has been charged with keeping out the state to get the double mileage. Our "Metropolis" correspondence said that one of the consequences of the failure was to entitle Lane to double mileage. So it was, but the correspondent did not say that was the motive with him. We said that we did not think it was, but that we thought the motive was ambition. If he had been beaten for Senator, it would have destroyed what he, Hibben, Garrett, the junior Yulee &c. understand to be his chances for the Presidency! But, again we ask, has not Lane overdone this "virtuous indignation" on the score of constructive mileage? He says, in his harangues, "I am an honest man. God knows I am, I know I am, and you, fellow citizens, know I am." But, notwithstanding this, he has Hibben appointed from Oregon, with the knowledge that he will, and the intention that he shall draw mileage from and to Oregon; at the same time Lane not only knows that Hibben will not perform a mile of that travel, but he knows that Hibben is not a resident of Oregon, and never expects to be. Will some Lane casuist inform us of the moral distinction between Lane's drawing that--both constructive and fraudulent--mileage himself, and thus enabling Hibben to do it? Hibben, whom he feeds, and whom he would have to feed from his own pocket, if it was not done from the treasury? We assert, that in the fact of Lane's unseemly praise of his honesty, he has ever practiced more chicanery and trickery than all the rest of the men engaged in politics in Oregon. And confidently appeal to any who have acted with him for the affirmation of the statement. He has, for his own personal ends, defied the public sentiment and disregarded the public weal, in a score of ways no other man would have dared to have done. He has appointed ignorant and intemperate men to important offices, to the sad detriment of the public interests. He has recently conferred an appointment upon a personal adherent, whose bad character is a household word in Oregon; who has been tried in our courts for one of the highest crimes in the calendar; to whom common fame attributes prison-breaking in one of the states to escape arraignment upon charge of a still higher. He has removed faithful and competent public officers to make place for his creatures; he has kept back appropriations; through him the state loses the value of its 500,000 acres of land; he has once voted against the homestead bill, and once dodged it; he has left the war debt (like the state bill at the first session) to sleep undisturbed. All these, and many more things he has done for ends personal to himself. And yet he has the hardihood to prate of his disinterested purity, and assail and denounce honest men and Democrats, who would not serve him. Free men of Oregon! ARE NOT THESE THINGS SO? Oregon Statesman, Salem, May 19, 1859, page 2 Actually, no, these things are not so. Compare Bush's assertions with Lane's private correspondence. LETTER FROM OREGON.
[FROM OUR SPECIAL CORRESPONDENT.] Our Political Cauldron--"Jo. Lane" and the Salem Clique--The Strife for the Mastery-- Disposition of the Forces--Senator Smith's Successor Not to Be Elected Until 1860-- Miscellaneous News Items, etc. SALEM,
Oregon, May 19, 1859.
EDITORS UNION:
Our political cauldron, as Dickens would say, is "a' a muddle." The
State Legislature met here on the 16th inst., according to the
proclamation of the Governor--the chief business before it being the
election of a United States Senator to succeed Delazon Smith. The
position of personal parties in the Legislature with reference to the
election promises anything but harmony. The readers of the Union may recollect
that as long ago as October, 1857, and in several of my communications
since, I predicted the present condition of political affairs in this
region--"the War of the Roses," as between Gen. Lane and what is known
as "the Salem Clique,'' whose organ is the Statesman. That war
has been upon us for several weeks. The Statesman faction
pitches into the old General with a fury scarcely equaled by the charge
of the old Napoleonic guard at Waterloo, and its fate is likely to be
the same--annihilation. Lane's cohorts stand firm.Now, an outsider may naturally ask why this war among--I would say Democrats, only the name and the practice of the parties using it are such a mockery of each other. I will simply answer that the cause of it is personal ambition. The mine which all had felt for months was being engineered, exploded in the midst of the anti-Lane camp, killing, wounding and maiming the Bushites fearfully. Deepest beneath the heaps of slain lay the prostrate form of Grover, late Congressman from "the virgin state of Oregon." Grover is now their candidate for United [States] Senator in place of Delazon Smith, whom they designate as "the basest of impostors." It was the clique interest which elected Smith last year. They sent him to Washington "to lie for the benefit of party," as Machiavelli's diplomats were sent abroad to lie for the benefit of their governments. They accused Gen. Lane of preventing the admission of Oregon at the session before the last for sinister purposes; and they hoped Smith would furnish them with evidence of his treachery from Washington, whether it was in existence or not, to be used against him in the Oregon Statesman. Because he did not choose to be a dog, they are moving heaven and earth to procure his defeat. The Lane men support Smith. At the present writing he and Grover are the candidates for United States Senator. There are nine Republicans in the present Legislature, and they hold the balance of power as between these two candidates. It is believed--indeed I am certain--they will go for Grover, and thereby resuscitate the old clique, which has stood on their necks for years, and will make them much more trouble than Laneism could do. The latter, with its violent assumptions of a congressional slave code for the territories, is not adapted for this high Northern latitude, and would soon kill itself by its own violence. While the former, possessing all the meanness and none of the magnanimity of Laneism, with its public noncommitalism and its private facileness and doughfacedness, to go wherever the powers that be point, whether that be for a congressional slave code for the territories, or the reopening of the African slave trade, and with its adeptness in mystifying and honeyfuggling the people, and covering up its iniquities, will make a much more formidable opponent, and its effects be more difficult to eradicate from the country. Here, however, like elsewhere, the impracticability of Republicans sticks out. If they vote for Grover they will certainly stand in the way of the ultimate advancement of Republican principles. But that's their lookout, not ours. Between the Bush party and the Lane party the contest is simply a strife for the mastery. But "the die is cast;" the Democracy of Oregon, like that of the States and California, is divided, and can never be united again. The forces of the contending factions are disposed for battle, and such is their determination that one or the other must be annihilated. It is quite probable that the Legislature will not be able to elect Smith's successor before September, 1860. The Bush party at present are the weaker, and refuse to go into caucus, as they say the "Lane men" would vote them down. Their only hope of success is a fusion with the Republicans. That failing--and the Republicans will not coalesce without a valuable consideration--namely, that Grover shall sign a pledge to vote and act against the enactment of a slave code for the territories, and he and his friends assist to elect Logan, the Republican candidate for Congressman, neither party can elect; consequently the election will go over until the next regular session after the choice of a new Legislature, which will not be until next year. There is little to report in the way of news items. A good many people are departing for Fraser River via the Dalles and Colville country. We had a very late spring, and the crops look backward. I have ridden nearly two hundred miles to this place, and the wheat, what there is sown of it, looks miserable. I should not at all wonder if we had to draw upon California for some of our supply for next year. The promise for an abundant apple crop looks fine. I will write again as soon as the Senatorial election comes off. M. Sacramento Daily Union, June 1, 1859, page 1 Oregon Politics.
The combined efforts of Gen. Lane and Delazon Smith have failed to
induce the Oregon Legislature to reelect the latter to the Senate. Both
have lost their power over the Democracy of the new State. The
prospects now are that next year's Legislature will be so constituted
as to elect an Anti-Lecompton Democrat and a Republican (Lane's term
expiring in 1861). An Oregon correspondent says that "by that time
Buchanan and the crowd around him, who hailed the admission of Oregon
only because it was a reliable Democratic State, will learn that this
State does not belong to Lane, though he has exercised acts of
ownership for the last eight years." The election for representative in
Congress was to take place on the 27th of June. The writer just quoted
speaks of the chances of David Logan, the Republican candidate, as
favorable. There is much division and personal bickering among the
Democracy there--perhaps rather more than elsewhere.
Press and Tribune, Chicago, Illinois, July 13, 1859, page 1 FROM
OREGON.
Ashland
Mills, Rogue River Valley,
To the Editor of the National
Era:Oregon, July 27, 1859. We have just emerged from a warm and exciting political campaign. The candidates were David Logan, of Portland, the Republican nominee, and Lansing Stout, of the same place, the Democratic nominee. The latest news we have, and which claims to be official, gives Stout the bare majority of nine. The result is far beyond the expectations of the most sanguine. We had heavy odds against us, all the prestige of the Democratic Party, a majority of some 2,000 to overcome, and all the influence of the federal officers in the state. There were several causes united to produce this effect, and prominent among them was the great disaffection in the Democratic Party in Oregon. There has been a bitter war between the leaders of the party in Oregon, which are known as the Lane and Anti-Lane parties, and the breach has become so wide that it will never be healed. There is also a growing disposition on the part of the people to doubt the willingness of the Administration to do justice to us in relation to the adjustment of our war claims. This in fact is the paramount question in Oregon, and the party that does her justice--for that is all her people ask--will be supported, and none others need ask. The election will perhaps be contested on the part of Mr. Logan, as I understand, that at Walla Walla precinct, that gave Stout twenty-four majority, the judges of election were sworn in by officers from Washington Territory. And in another precinct that gave him a majority, the poll books were not certified to. The mail waits. J.M.M.
[probably J. M. McCall]
The National Era, Washington,
D.C., September 1, 1859, page 139LETTER FROM OREGON.
[FROM OUR SPECIAL CORESPONDENT.] Probable Election of Lansing Stout by a Bare Majority--The San Francisco Press at Fault on Oregon Politics--Cause of the Inharmony of the "Harmonious" Democracy of Oregon not Lecomptonism. UMPQUA
VALLEY, Oregon,
Situated as I am midway between the
Columbia and the California line, I have facilities for gathering
current election returns from both ends of this state which the
journalists at either extreme do not possess.July 10, 1859. It is almost certain that Lansing Stout is elected by a small majority, say sixteen. This is a wonderful falling off from the usual Democratic majority of two thousand which the Territory of Oregon, on former occasions, used to roll up for "Old Jo. Lane and the Democratic ticket." Of the causes which led to this result, as well as the defeat of Delazon Smith for United States Senator at the late extraordinary session of our Legislature, I will speak hereafter. The total vote polled is very small--hundreds of Democrats refusing to go to the polls on account of their disaffection towards Stout. The Republicans turned out in their full strength. This has been the closest election ever held in Oregon since party lines have been drawn here. The Democrats usually carried their territorial ticket for Congressman by from fifteen hundred to two thousand majority. Of the causes which led to this terrible falling off in the number of Democratic votes I will say a few words. Your San Francisco cotemporaries--usually very poorly informed upon Oregon matters--may attribute it to our growing antipathy to the Lecomptonism of the present Administration, and to Smith and Lane's endorsation of that Administration. I see they have fallen into the same mistake--intentional on their part, I suppose--in endeavoring to account for the failure of the late Legislature to reelect D. Smith to the United States Senate. Scarcely anything, however, could be further from the truth. I would like to comfort myself with the same assurance they seem to take solace in--namely, that the result of our recent Congressional election, and of our attempt at a United States Senatorial election, won a repudiation of the unfairness of the Lecomptonism of Buchanan's Administration--if it were so. But it is not, and I cannot shut my eyes to the truth of history, or attempt to delude your readers with a falsehood, however comfortable it might be to myself or others to do so. A large majority of the people of Oregon, having settled the eternal "nigger question" for themselves, are undoubtedly in favor of allowing the same privilege to others, but further than this they care nothing about it. You may depend they will always rebuke "congressional" or "executive," or "judicial" "intervention" to force slavery into a territory, or to keep it out, despite the wishes of the people thereof, whenever that question comes fairly before them for adjudication. Like the rest of the people of this Union who are not blinded by prejudice, self-interest and intemperate zeal, they love justice and fair play in the settlement of the territories, as well as in other matters. From whoever, or whatever party the opposite of this comes, they will be sure to rebuke it. Constitution, or no Constitution, Supreme Court, or no Supreme Court, they will insist on "equal and exact justice" for all men, and from all sections of the Union in the common domain of the whole country. They will neither go with Seward in his forays upon the institutions of the South, nor with Buchanan in his forays for the institutions of the South. If the power to legislate upon the subject of slavery in the territories is in Congress, they are in favor of keeping it in abeyance now and for all time to come--not until the North has gathered sufficient Congressional strength to use it against slavery, as the Republicans intimate they would do, nor yet until the South had such a Congress as Mississippi Brown would feel assured in coming before and demanding of them a "congressional slave code" for the territories. You may depend that Oregon will take the broad, tenable, and only national ground of absolute and entire nonintervention by any of the departments of the federal government with the subject of slavery in the territories when they are called on to pass upon that question. That, however, has not been at the recent election. Such an issue, if at all in sight during the late canvass, was but dimly visible, and but very vaguely considered by the people of Oregon. Our election was rather a strife for the mastery of the Democratic Party than a contest for principle of any sort. Perhaps I should except the Republican element proper, which undoubtedly in the election of Logan kept the fundamental principles of their party in view. This party, however, never heretofore counted more than one-third of the voters of Oregon in it. That the Republican Party came this year so near electing its congressional nominee is due mainly to the spirit of "rule or ruin" which has characterized the course of the leading spirit of the Oregon Statesman, heretofore the most prominent Democratic paper in the state. Established in the early infancy of the territory (in 1850) as the special organ of the Democratic Party, deriving a large federal support from the publication of the laws of the United States and the territorial public printing, it had for years a practical monopoly of Democratic journalism in this territory. This patronage and recognized party leadership gave it a circulation and consequent influence much beyond its deserts. General Lane himself, whom it now wars upon, contributed largely to this result--for while it openly supported him, yet secretly thirsted for his blood, and was plotting his downfall, he, unconscious of its secret designs, was pampering its editor with federal patronage, and filling the federal offices of the country at the editor's suggestion with his (Lane's) own secret enemies. Few, or none, were appointed to office who were not recommended by the "Salem Clique Cabinet." This cabinet had the Democratic organization of the country in their own hands. One of the persons of the Clique Trinity was chairman of the state central committee, and at the same time held the office of Superintendent of Indian Affairs; in which latter position he wielded a federal patronage of half a million, annually. Other members of it held other lucrative and influential positions. In fact, as I said before, all the offices of the country, from the highest to the lowest, were in their hands, and every dollar by them or their subordinates expended was dispensed with an eye single to the manufacture of a secret public sentiment that could be exploded at any moment they choose to ignite it against the man who procured them this patronage--against General Lane. They dared not apply the match while our territorial condition remained--while the people elected their delegate--for they knew General Lane's influence with the people would involve them in utter defeat and discomfiture. But the moment we shook off the habiliments of territorial vassalage, and that General Lane sought to be United States Senator, and had to seek it from the Legislature, a body of men less honest than the people and more liable to be operated upon by wireworkers, that moment was seized upon to explode the mine which had been for years engineered under General Lane's feet. A half-suppressed effort was made to do this at the July session of 1858, which elected Lane and Smith, but was prematurely abandoned, from two considerations: The first, that Lane was in too great force in that Legislature to be attacked then; and the second, that the classification of United States Senators would, at all events (no matter which straw he drew), render his first term a short one, not to exceed two years at the utmost limit; and his enemies by the expiration of that time would be better prepared to render their efforts against him more effective. In the meantime something might turn up that would assist them to undermine his acknowledged popularity with the people. That something was made to turn up after the most approved fashion. The failure of the Oregon Admission Bill to pass at the session of 18578-0 was seized upon by Lane's enemies here as a pretext for commencing the long-meditated attack upon him. The opportune moment was believed to have at last come round. Immediately after the adjournment of the first session of the last Congress, Bush, of the Oregon Statesman, wrote at Salem, in this state, a letter dated at Washington City accusing Gen. Lane of privately intriguing to keep Oregon out of the Union until he should have been assured of his (Lane's) election to the United States Senate by the Oregon Legislature, which did not meet until the July following the adjournment of Congress. This letter was the signal for a grand rush, so to speak, of bogus correspondence from different portions of this state to the columns of the Statesman, expressive of dissatisfaction with and distrust in the course of Gen. Lane, especially his supposed course in relation to the Admission Bill. Now, the whole kennel of Bush's hungry retainers, whom he had the confiding old man (Lane) appoint to places of trust and profit in Oregon, burst forth upon his track, and like the Jewish rabble of old cried "Away with him! Crucify him!" There was but this difference between "the swinish multitude" who thronged Pilate's hall and the swinish crowd who thronged the federal offices in Oregon, that while the former "knew not what they did," the latter have not that poor excuse to make for their treachery and ingratitude--they not only knew what they were doing, but had long lain in wait, and had been in training to do it. All this time Gen. Lane was in Washington attending to his duties as the representative of Oregon--attending to his duties, I have no doubt, with all his might and main. He came home to Oregon only once in every two years. He was in Washington when he was elected to the United States Senate in 1888. He remained there until the close of the session just past. In the fall of last year (1858) Smith and Grover went to Washington, both, or the former at least, with instructions from the Salem Clique Cabinet to procure, by hook or by crook, whether it existed or not--if it didn't exist, manufacture it, as the "Metropolis" letter was made--"d--n the odds"--evidence to convict Gen. Lane of having kept Oregon out of the Union. Smith admits on the stump since his return that this was the import of what the Clique Cabinet instructed him to do. Grover, with his usual caution, doesn't say "nothing to nobody." When Smith reached Washington he could find nothing to convict Lane of the charges preferred against him in the bogus correspondence, but found much to commend Lane for in connection with the admission question, as well as all others where Oregon was concerned. He so wrote home to the press of Oregon. The Statesman then commenced to attack him. And this was the cause of the late extraordinary proceeding in our Legislature by which Smith was not reelected, and not because of his or Lane's Lecomptonism. The men who opposed him would eat Lecomptonism or any other "ism," and cram down the opening of the slave trade "atop of it," if they were only greased with sufficient drippings from the federal treasury. The leaders in the movement are a demoralized set of demagogues--renegades from all the political parties in the states--who, finding here an element which they could make serviceable to the promotion of their own selfish ends, clubbed together around the leading spirit of the Oregon Statesman, as their ringleader, to use "the d--d Pikes," as they privately denominate the people of Oregon. They have used them and abused them, too. So long as they made silver shrines for the Goddess of the Oregonians, they continued to shout, with the force of brazen lungs, "Great is Democracy of the Oregonians!" But the moment their trade was taken from them they rush to set fire to her temple, as did the head Ephesian (I forget his name and haven't time to look for it) who flung the brand into the Temple of Diana. This accounts, in part, for the late falling off in our usual Democratic majority. Marion County, as will be observed--the seat of the Salem Clique Cabinet, containing Salem, the publication place of their organ, the Statesman--which usually gave six or seven hundred majority for the Democratic ticket, this year gives nearly eight hundred majority the other way--for the Republicans. But to return to the causes of "the defection" in the Democratic ranks. I have said that Grover, our late Congressman, wouldn't publicly commit himself to either Bush or Lane. But secretly he was known to play the spy upon the movements of Lane and Smith at Washington, and to keep the Salem Clique Cabinet advised of all their actions while at the federal city. His silence, too, was interpreted to mean that he could, it he chose, corroborate the charges against Lane preferred by the Statesman, but that he was desirous of maintaining amicable relations with his colleague in the Upper House, and for the present did not choose to do it. But the public were given to understand, through the innuendo of the Statesman, that it was not because soon evidence did not exist at Washington that Grover didn't produce it, but because he didn't desire to. This was the impression left upon the public mind by the organ. Meanwhile the period for the holding of our State Convention to nominate a Congressman in place of Grover was creeping on apace. Th« Central Committee, in the hands of Lane's enemies, tried to precipitate it before the General would have time to reach Oregon from Washington. They failed in fixing it as early as they desired, but succeeded in putting it on the 20th of April last. Neither Lane, Smith or Grover had then arrived from Washington. The Convention met. Lane's friends were largely in the ascendant, and, as Grover's renomination would be a virtual endorsement of the charges against General Lane which Grover was known to make privately, he was slaughtered and Lansing Stout, your California Know Nothing, nominated. A more unfortunate selection could not be found in the state. That General Lane has not been buried, deep, deep, beneath the weight of this nomination is an evidence of his impregnable strength with the masses here. Had an Oregonian been nominated, and one whose hands were free from the stain of "Sam's" grips, Lane would have had no trouble in carrying him through against the combined forces of the Statesman influence and the Republican organization. Our people have an absurd prejudice against "California politicians," at best. The condition of your state finances, not to say your political morals, give them a very bad prestige here. But when you add to this the (in our eyes) damning crime of Know Nothingism--oh, horrible! Well, these two considerations in connection with Stout, together with the fact of Grover's supposed acquaintance with the war debt, were made the most of. The Statesman harped upon them continually. It was nothing but "California Know Nothing Stout." "California politicians--ruined state credit--ruinous taxation--farmers have to sell everything to pay the high taxes we are going to have put on by these California politicians in Oregon. Poor Grover! The war debt! Nobody but Grover knows anything about the war debt! The war debt! oh, the war debt's lost!" And this was the sort of support which a Democratic (?) journal, pampered and fed by Democratic patronage for years, gave to the first Democratic nominee who was not of its choice. In addition to this, the secret agents of the Clique Cabinet were rummaging every hole and corner of the state, fomenting dissatisfaction with and distrust of the Democratic nominee, and inciting the people to vote for Logan, the Republican nominee. And the object of all this was---not the success of principles of any sort, good, bad, or indifferent--not the success of free state or of slave state principles--not the success of Republican or of Democratic principles--it was neither for the Administration nor against it in favor of Lecompton or opposed to--neither was it for the promotion of or the putting down of the principles of popular sovereignty--but it was for the purpose of gaining a temporary triumph over General Lane, that they might, if per possibility, destroy his prestige at Washington! They wished to destroy his prospect for the Charleston nomination; first, by making a show that he could not carry his own state, and, secondly, to destroy his influence with the Administration and with the next Congress, lest he should succeed in getting our war debt paid. They hope to defeat him for United States Senator next year upon the strength of his failing to procure the payment of the war debt, while they throw all the obstacles possible in the way of his getting it paid. Just hear the malignant glee with which the Statesman contemplates its supposed triumph over the old soldier. It gloats over his contemplated ruin with the savage fury of a hyena and the fierce appetite of a cannibal about to feast upon a carcass: "Indeed, his (Lane's) downfall here at once destroys his prestige at Washington; for he has kept up his humbug 'popularity' by his representation that he had a state at his back, that he owned Oregon, had it in his breeches pocket, and could give it to, or withhold it from, anybody he chose; they are courtiers at Washington, and they never worship a setting sun! A live ass is better than a dead lion, with them! Lane knows this! and he knows his sun has set at Washington as well as in Oregon! Beaten at home, he is nobody at Washington. And he has been long enough about Washington to understand this! and he does understand it." And to produce this result, and that alone, was the Statesman's object in using all the power it was master of to help elect the Republican candidate! But even had the combination succeeded in defeating the election of Stout, would it have produced the desired result--the ruin of General Lane in Oregon and the destruction of his prestige at Washington? Not a particle of it--and for the best of all reasons, because Lansing Stout is not Jo. Lane. General Lane possesses elements of popularity which Lansing Stout not only lacked, but he had counter elements of unpopularity calculated to damn anyone politically in Oregon who possessed them--namely, a Know Nothing record and his being a California politician--most ruinous of all records in the present condition of public sentiment here! This may appear, and no doubt does appear, very absurd to outsiders. But it is nevertheless so; and because they think it absurd will not change the fact. Had General Lane himself been before the people in Stout's place, the returns would foot up differently. No amount of lying could have injured his Democratic record with the people of Oregon. The elections next June, when he is before the country for reelection to the United States Senate, will bear out this assertion M. Sacramento Daily Union, July 27, 1859, page 1 MOVEMENTS OF THE PACIFIC PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATE.--A gentleman recently from Douglas County, Oregon, informs us, says the Jacksonville Sentinel (Southern Oregon), of 1st October, that Gen. Lane will leave for San Francisco and Washington by next steamer from Umpqua. The painful condition of the General's hand, adds the Sentinel, obliges him to forgo a contemplated journey through Rogue River Valley. The Hon. M. P. Deady was to accompany the Oregon Senator to Washington. San Francisco Bulletin, October 12, 1859, page 2 The recent meeting of the "State Central Democratic Committee," convened at Eugene City on Saturday, 24th day of September, resulted in another Democratic flare-up. The several Democratic organs are now discussing the causes of the difficulties existing, and devising ways and means by which the Democracy of Oregon can become again a unit. It seems to be particularly necessary at this time, in order to secure the election of Jo. Lane to the Presidency of the United States, that all bickering and animosities in the Democratic ranks of the state of Oregon shall be at once "dried up." Therefore, we appeal to Bush, Slater, Russell, O'Meara, McCormick, Taylor, Pengra, Adams and the Dalles Journal to take Stout's vote as the only correct basis upon which the "harmonious" can define or find the strength of the Democratic Party in Oregon. Unless some compromise can be effected between the belligerents, we fear our candidate for President of the U.S., General Joseph Lane, will never occupy the White House, and Oregon will not soon have the credit of furnishing a model President, whom the people "delight to honor," and who "WOULD SAVE THE UNION." Weekly Oregonian, Portland, October 15, 1859, page 2 PERSONAL.--Gen. Scott has gone, but we have with us another illustrious General, namely, the Senator from Oregon, Gen. Jo. Lane. He is stopping at the Metropolitan till the departure of the steamer of the 20th. He is one of the old style of patriots--a modern Cincinnatus. He, whose right arm has lost its strength in her service, deserves well of the country. This veteran hero of the war with Mexico received two ball wounds in that service: the muscles of his once-powerful right arm were cut away to the bone, half way from the elbow to the shoulder, by an ounce ball, at the battle of Buena Vista. From the effects of this, his arm has never recovered. The ball entered in front. Gen. Lane has been in as many battles as any man in America and would take the field against an enemy of the country with as much pleasure as he will his seat in the U.S. Senate. Many years yet to the gallant Lane.--S.F. Call, Oct. 19th. Placer Herald, Auburn, California, October 29, 1859, page 4 "WAR DEBT."
Weekly
Oregonian, Portland, December 24, 1859, page 2
The Jacksonville Sentinel
has
a long editorial article under the above head, advocating the policy of
scrip holders surrendering their scrip into the hands of an agent of
Duncan, Sherman & Co., New York brokers and bankers, now
visiting
Oregon for that purpose as the best means to secure its future payment
&c. We cannot see the propriety of the method proposed, or how
its
adoption will facilitate or secure to the scrip holder a more certain
way of obtaining their money at an earlier period than if they keep it
in their own possession. We cannot understand why it is that Duncan,
Sherman & Co. can exercise more influence in the Congress of
the
United States than that claimed for Gen. Lane and Lansing Stout, our representatives. We
cannot understand why it is that in case the war scrip passes out of
the original holders into that of foreign brokers and speculators, that
therefore its payment will be secured more readily or surely.
If Gen. Lane and Lansing Stout, whom the Democracy of Oregon have delegated to represent the people in the councils of the nation, have not sufficient influence to obtain justice from a Democratic Administration and a Democratic Senate without the aid of Duncan, Sherman & Co., they had better be recalled at once. If Duncan, Sherman & Co. can, as they propose to do, secure the early payment of the war scrip at ten percent when General Lane and Stout cannot do it, the people of Oregon had better elect Duncan, Sherman & Co. their representatives in place of such men as have heretofore represented us. The proposition to surrender the scrip to these foreign capitalists upon the terms proposed--ten percent discount, provided it is paid--is a singular way of financiering for the benefit of original scrip holders in Oregon. If these bankers can afford to hold the scrip in their possession until Congress makes an appropriation to pay it, for ten percent discount, we think the holders can do the same. The question for the people of Oregon, who are all more or less interested in the payment of the war scrip, to decide is whether Congress will be influenced by the fact that New York banking houses are the custodians of our war scrip to the amount of two or more millions of dollars at ten percent discount to make an appropriation to pay it more readily or surely than they would if the scrip was in the hands of those who furnished the supplies and done the fighting against the Indians. It will not be forgotten that the late Indian war was made a Democratic war; that the Democracy had the entire management and control of it; that they made the debt; they examined and certified to a Democratic Congress and a Democratic Administration as to its justice; that Democrats only have been in position to urge the payment of our just dues, and that if there has been any injustice done to the scrip holders, the Democracy are to blame. They have kept Lane in Congress year after year; they have now elected Mr. Stout, and now they ask the people to discount ten percent as a fee to secure the payment of our war debt which if done will facilitate and secure it. It may be that Messrs. Duncan, Sherman & Co. have more influence in Congress than Lane and Stout, or it may be that the partners in this speculation with Duncan, Sherman & Co. are Lane and Stout. The amount of the war debt is about six millions; the ten percent claimed would amount to six hundred thousand dollars, or one hundred and twenty-five thousand dollars each to four partners. If the majority of the present Congress are composed of such men as Lane and Stout, and if Duncan, Sherman & Co. could afford the same influence to that majority that they could to our representatives, their influence would be potent. Several of the newspapers in Oregon have received information recently of an encouraging character--that a portion of our war debt will be paid this winter. We have received no information upon the subject, except the proposition of Duncan & Sherman, as advocated by the Sentinel, which is the exclusive organ of Stout and a co-organ of Lane. If the Democratic newspapers in Oregon are encouraged by recent information received of a prospect of the early payment of our war debt, that information must come from Lane and Stout, and may be intended to prepare the way for Col. Stevens, the agent of Duncan, Sherman & Co., whom the Sentinel says is now in Oregon to receive and receipt for the war scrip. This is a strange proceeding, to say the least of it. Therefore we advise our scrip holders to keep their scrip in their own possession, as our forefathers did the Continental money. It is as safe there as in the hands of Duncan, Sherman & Co. If the present Administration and the present Congress will not do us justice and pay our war debt, let us try another Administration and another Congress, with another set of agents; perhaps we may by that means save the ten percent now asked by Duncan, Sherman & Co. to secure the payment of our war debt. Again, suppose, as has been intimated, the general government should only pay one and a half million dollars on the six million indebtedness, the scrip holders would realize, by adding the ten percent, about fifteen cents on the dollar. This would be a poor and most beggarly remuneration for stock and supplies furnished and services rendered to carry on the late Indian war. Better for the people of Oregon to retain their scrip than to run an additional risk of ten percent discount to secure the personal influence of Duncan, Sherman & Co. towards its payment. GEN. JO. LANE.--An Oregon correspondent of the New York Herald don't seem very much in love with Gen. Jo. Lane. Hear how he talks about our old Vanderburgh County fellow citizen: There is an unfortunate split in the Democratic Party in Oregon, which, unless healed, will certainly ruin the party there and give the state this year, with two Senators and a Representative, to the opposition. The factions are designated as the Bush wing and the Lane wing. Lane has, up to this date, managed Oregon as though he held it politically as his own property. A body of sturdy Democrats like the Oregonians cannot be managed like a plantation of Southern laborers; hence the difficulty with Lane. They were willing to keep him in office, but when he required them to fill all the other offices with his tools and minions they rebelled. They could endure for a few months in the Senate Delazon Smith, formerly a respectable county court lawyer from the western part of New York state, but when ordered to return him to the Senate for six years, they said they had in the party other abler and better men. They sent Grover to Washington as their first Representative by a majority of 1,600. Without his indefatigable winter's work at Washington in 1859 Oregon could not have been admitted. His constituents were satisfied with his success and wished him to return to this Congress. Lane found him too strong, frank and outspoken a man to be made a tool of; and in his absence packed a convention against him and had Stout nominated in his stead. The Democracy of the new state felt cheated and insulted, and, though Grover supported the regular nominee, Stout gets a contested seat by barely nine votes, instead of a clear majority of 1,600. A word from Grover would have ensured an opposition victory. Grover was offered, in the first instance, the Senatorship, but being a young man, only thirty-five, he declined it in favor of Smith. The Democracy, on being cheated out of his service as Representative by Lane, decided to return him to the Senate; and though he had against him the combined influence of Lane and his two tools, Smith and Stout, he lacked but one vote of nomination. The opposition, knowing his merits as a man and a rising statesman of the West, offered him votes enough to secure his election to the Senate, if he would permit his friends to start him before the Legislature as a candidate, but he felt that his duty to his party required him to decline the proffered aid; hence the vacancy of one seat from that state. His law arguments before the federal courts of Oregon show him to be of sound judgment and great discrimination and strength of mind. If such men are slandered by the employees of Lane, and counted out by his packed conventions, the Democratic Party in Oregon is doomed; it has sent its last Senator and last Representative to Washington. Evansville Daily Journal, Evansville, Indiana, April 13, 1860, page 1 IN MEMORIAM.
"Ye who have tears, prepare to shed them now!"
Never, since the illustrious Hibben threw down his pen, kicked over the editorial tripod, and left our shores in wrath and disgust, leaving the country in deep affliction for his irreparable loss, has Oregon been made the victim of such a sad calamity as has just befallen it. The whole country is plunged in gloom and distress. We do not observe that any of our citizens have donned crepe hatbands, or enveloped their door knockers in sable dry goods, but we meet many countenances which wear a somber hue, and whose preternatural elongation evinces the deepest sorrow. Two of our brightest political stars have gone down in darkness! A pair of Oregon's "eminent statesmen" have succumbed together to cruel fate! Ancient Joseph and the Rev. Delusion have been consigned together to the "tomb of the Capulets"! Oh Oregonians, "beloved" of the one, and "dear" (almost) to the other, even as Congressional salary and mileage, are yet not ready to "weep, and rend your hair for those who never will return" to the U.S. Senate? Will not the very lachrymose nature of your grief materially elevate the commercial value of cambric and bandanna in your immediate neighborhood? Will you not be utterly inconsolable in your extreme woe--"mourning even as those who have no hope"? For Joseph and Delusion are dead--politically dead--dead as a mackerel, or a herring, or any other native of the vasty deep which has been caught, and scaled, and salted, and smoked, and barreled up, sold and delivered. Their "corpuses" may still show some feeble signs of life, but it is a mere galvanized vitality, which cannot be prolonged beyond the next session of the state legislature. They are gone! "They were lovely in their lives, and in death they are not divided." Never more shall we have the esteemed privilege of grasping the ever-proffered hand, and receiving the hearty "God bless you" of Ancient Joseph. No more shall he seize us warmly by the hand, and say: "God bless you, my dear sir, I thought of you frequently at Washington. I'm sure to be the next President, and if you ever come to Washington you must come and see me. I'll have a room fitted up in the White House expressly for you." Alas! for the vanity of human expectations! Never more shall we listen with astonishment and delight to his modest narration of his own proud achievements on the tented field and in legislative halls. No more shall we swallow, with open-mouthed credulity, his expressions of ardent and devoted affection for his "dear people," and his promises of future labors and successes in their behalf. "Nary 'nother time" shall we gaze, with irrepressible wonder and admiration, upon the dilapidated tile which was wont to protect that venerable pow from sun and storm, or the modest, old-fashioned, shad-bellied coat, with rusty brass buttons, wherewith he adorned his stalwart frame on electioneering occasions, or the antiquated waistcoats, or the inexpressibles posteriorly patched with buckskin, or the short black pipe, or the gold-headed cane, "presented by the President," or the other paraphernalia of demagogism wherewith he so long and so successfully astonished and deluded his "beloved Oregonians." Never again shall we open our ears and hold our breath, while in his peculiarly modest language and manner he tells us how Frank Pierce slapped him on the shoulder and asked him to take a seat in his Cabinet; how he dined and supped and slept with Old Buck; how Steve Douglas wished him nominated at Charleston for the Presidency, and promised to stump thirteen states for him; how ladies visited his rooms and drank champagne with him; how the sweet creatures begged for his daguerreotype, and wrote verses to him--we take a melancholy pleasure in remembering all these interesting particulars--never more shall we hear them again from the truth- and wisdom-speaking lips of Ancient Joseph. And Delusion--"dear Delusion"--we will miss his Stentorian voice, his Demosthenean thunder and his Delazonian eloquence. The roar of the Lion is silenced. Never more shall we hear his persuasive tones, urging his fellow citizens to the support of the "Democr-r-r-atic P-a-r-t-y!" or dispensing the gospel of Truth to poor sinners. Wounded in the house of his friends, vanquished and insulted in his "own bailiwick," forced to accept the poisoned chalice from the hands of those whom he had been accustomed to command, and to whom he fondly hoped his word was yet law, he fell, while his puling lips still breathed defiance. It is said that he had committed some grave errors and offenses, which caused his former friends to plot his destruction. But let us defend, rather than seek to tarnish, his memory, now that he has passed away. It is true he had faults, but other great men have had them too. Was not Nero a profligate and a debauchee? Did not Judas Iscariot and Benedict Arnold betray their friends? Was not Julian an apostate from God and religion? Was not Ananias a consummate liar? and Alexander an irretrievable drunkard? and Falstaff a cowardly boaster? And did not Commodus disgrace himself and degrade the authority and dignity with which he had been clothed, by openly consorting with shameless wantons and the infamous of both sexes? Admit that Delusion has been rather vicious and depraved, it can be shown that there have been men at various periods of the world's history, almost, if not quite, as bad as he. And take into consideration, too, the good which he probably effected whilst he was a minister of the Gospel. That ought to counterbalance at least a portion of his delinquencies since his fall from grace. Peace then to his ashes, and oblivion to his errors, or if ye will remember them, remember also that if his own morals and those of his associates were the reverse of correct, he insisted upon the strictest parity of conduct in all others; that if he was notorious for acts of perfidy and baseness, he could not endure treacherous conduct on the part of anyone else; that although habitually mendacious, he sternly reproved falsehood wherever he detected it, and very often when he didn't; that although he invariably deserted his friends or his party in an emergency, he as invariably denounced as a traitor and as ingrate anyone who deserted him; that although he edited an obscene and libelous paper, up to the very date of his political decease, yet he grieved much over the "licentiousness of the press," and earnestly besought that it might be corrected, and finally, and though a poltroon, he was (according to his own account) "descended from fighting stock." You see, here is for every view a corresponding inclination to virtue. We trust that whoever furnishes the few remaining particulars of Delusion's checkered life for the pages of the magazine published at Washington by the eminent Mr. Swackhamer (terms $3 per annum--for the magazine, we mean--Swackhamer is not to be had, individually, for that sum), will not omit to mention these highly important particulars, in order that justice may be done to the departed subject. It is not probable that we shall again have an opportunity of looking upon such another pair. And, although they need "no lofty dome nor monumental spire, whose towering height shall pierce the stormy clouds, to tell posterity their fame," yet we would respectfully advise that a suitable monument be erected, to commemorate their acts in the service of Oregon. For this purpose, we suggest that the following materials, which will cost nothing except for transportation, be collected, to wit: The vouchers issued on account of services and supplies during the Indian hostilities of 1855 and 1856; The petitions addressed to Ancient Joseph for reforms and improvements in our mail service (of which petitions for removal of the Astoria post office, to such place as the citizens could get to, will form a formidable pile) and disregarded by that individual; "God-bless-you" letters, written by Joseph; Buncombe speeches made by Joseph; The official appointments and commissions procured by Joseph, for venal and incapable persons; Joseph's "chances" for the Presidency; The votes of Joseph and Delusion on the Homestead Bill; Delusion's drunken speech in the Senate; Delusion's letters abusing Joseph; Delusion's letters praising Joseph; Delusion's last dying speech and confession, as published in the Delazonian of June 5th, 1860; Joseph's dying speech, &c., &c., &c. Will those Oregonians who revere the memory of the dear departed consider the proposition? Oregon Statesman, Salem, June 12, 1860, page 2 THE SECEDERS [from the Democratic convention that nominated Stephen A. Douglas] met in another part of the city. A committee appointed to report permanent offices reported CALEB CUSHING for President [of the convention], who spoke as follows on taking the chair: Gentlemen: We are assembled here as delegates to the National Democratic Convention, duly accredited from more than twenty states, for the purpose of enunciating the principles of the party, and for the purpose of continuing and reestablishing the principles of the party, and upholding the Constitution and the Union. (Loud cheering.) The roll was called and the following states responded: Vermont, 1 delegate; New York, 16 responded; Pennsylvania, Delaware, Maryland, Virginia, 24 delegates; North Carolina, 19½; Georgia, 28. Florida said that all the delegates from that state are not here, but all will be soon; Alabama, 29; Louisiana, Texas, Mississippi, 14; Arkansas, Missouri, 2; Tennessee, 19; Kentucky, 10. Iowa was responded to by Mr. Heath, of that state; Minnesota responded; California responded her whole electoral vote; Oregon. The time for nominations having arrived, Mr. Loring of Massachusetts said: Massachusetts has determined to stand by the South in her struggle for Constitutional rights. They desired to present the name of a man for the Presidency who had no friends to reward or enemies to punish. They claimed the right to present the name of the gallant son of Kentucky--John C. Breckinridge. (Loud, enthusiastic cheering followed this nomination.) Mr. Ward, of Ala., nominated R. T. M. Hunter, of Virginia. (Loud applause.) Mr. Ewing, of Tenn., with appropriate remarks, nominated Daniel S. Dickinson, of New York, lauding him for his long devotion to the principles of the platform adopted here today, and sympathy to the South. He pledged Tennessee to stand by that platform. An attempt was now made to nominate by acclamation but failed. The convention proceeded to ballot with the following result: Breckinridge, 81; Dickinson 25. Whole number of votes 105. The states which had cast their votes for Dickinson now withdrew them and gave them to Breckinridge. The President [of the convention] announced the result, declaring Breckinridge unanimously nominated, when the Convention arose in a body, giving round after round of applause. When quietness was restored, Mr. Green, of N.C., nominated Joe Lane, of Oregon, for Vice President: Mr. Scott, of Cal., seconded the nomination with appropriate remarks. Mr. Adkins, of Tenn., moved that Mr. Lane be nominated by acclamation. (Cries of "No, no.") The roll was called. On the first ballot the whole 105 votes were cast for Joe Lane, and he was declared nominated for Vice President amidst deafening applause. "The Baltimore Convention," Glasgow Weekly Times, Glasgow, Missouri, June 28, 1860, page 3 Breckinridge and Lane
Demonstration in
Philadelphia.
An enthusiastic Breckinridge and Lane demonstration was made in
Philadelphia on the night of the 2nd instant, which was a perfect
success, whether considered in point of numbers or the character of the
actors who participated in it. An impartial eyewitness (the
Philadelphia Inquirer, July
3) says of it:
"The Breckinridge meeting last night in Independence Square was a very large and successful demonstration. Between it and the Douglas meeting on Saturday night there was a broad contrast, very much to the advantage of the Breckinridge meeting in every particular. Although there were three stands at the Douglas assemblage, and but one last night, a practiced eye could easily determine that the single Breckinridge meeting was much larger than the three others combined. There was another point upon which the contrast was still more marked. The Douglas meeting was largely composed of 'the boys,' and was excited and inclined to be demonstrative in its show of enthusiasm, while the Breckinridge meeting was made up almost exclusively of quiet, orderly and attentive listeners, who indulged in applause only when the speakers made 'palpable hits,' and then the outburst was genuine and not simulated. If these two meetings are fair indications of the relative strength of the two branches of the Democratic Party, our preconceived opinions on the subject have been wrong, for the Breckinridge party is much stronger than we supposed." Among the speakers were Hon. Charles J. Ingersoll, Senator Bright of Indiana, Gen. Lane of Oregon, Hon. Humphrey Marshall of Kentucky, and Hon. Josiah Randall of Philadelphia. The Journal of Commerce contains an abstract of Gen. Lane's speech as follows: "Gen. Lane was here introduced to the meeting, and was received with tremendous cheering. He said that it was not his intention to make speeches during the campaign, and that it was by mere accident that he was here. He could not forbear to express the gratification he felt at beholding such an immense gathering. (At this point the disturbers of the meeting became so riotous that the Breckinridge men resolved to put them out, but Mr. Lane forbid it, telling them to 'stand firm'--that it was only a squatter sovereignty fight.) A comparative quiet being secured, Mr. Lane continued, highly extolling the character of Mr. Breckinridge. No man knows more of his country than he does, and no man would do more for it. He (Lane) did not come here to beg anybody to vote for him. It was his pride to be a humble follower in the ranks of the Democracy. He had spent his lifetime in office, but he wanted that true patriot, statesman and soldier, John C. Breckinridge, placed in the Presidential chair. As to 'popular sovereignty,' he contended that a Territory was the common property of the United States, belonging as much to Pennsylvania, by equal right, as it did to any other state. Every man from every state has an equal right to go into the Territories with his property. Popular sovereignty as taught by some is a heresy. It should never have been introduced. If we intend to maintain this Union, we must maintain the Constitution and the equality of all its citizens. Mr. Lane then spoke of Mr. Lincoln's votes in Congress during the Mexican War. He (Lane) had followed almost every business. At one time he was a California miner, and while prospecting there he met a German who asked him about Joe Lane, and he told him he was a fine fellow, and had come very near catching Santa Anna. (Loud laughter.) That was all he (Lane) had to say of himself. In conclusion he would say that he would support Mr. Breckinridge with all his heart and soul, and that he did not believe that the Democracy would defeat a man whose heart was as big as the Union. He then earnestly implored all good Democrats to divest themselves of the bitterness resulting from the proceedings at Baltimore. Mr. Lane was frequently interrupted in his remarks by the disturbers of the meeting, but retired amid deafening applause." This successful demonstration in Philadelphia shows the weakness of Douglas in the old Keystone [State]. Breckinridge and Lane, standing on the clearest and most unequivocal Southern platform that has ever been promulgated by any party, are received with enthusiasm by the "solid men" of Pennsylvania, while Douglas and Johnson, the champions of squatter sovereignty, are met by the noisy welcome of the mob. If these men had the patriotism to withdraw, there can be no doubt that Breckinridge and Lane would carry Pennsylvania and other northern states like a flash. There would be no resisting the popular current in their favor. We speak in sober earnest. There is that about them to stir the hearts of the people. The noble platform on which they have planted themselves--the purity of their lives--their broad nationality and commanding services in the counsels of the nation and on the battlefields of Mexico and Oregon, while all their competitors were enjoying the luxurious ease of a quiet life at home, or were defaming their country by encouraging the enemy, these incidents in their lives are just such as to arouse the popular heart. Give these candidates a clear field, and Black Republicanism would be scattered to the four winds, never more to rear its head. The Floridian and Journal, Tallahassee, July 14, 1860, page 2 GEN. LANE'S MOVEMENTS.--We find the following communication in the Petersburg Daily Express, of the 23rd inst., and it gives us pleasure to see that the "old General" meets with such a warm reception. May he meet with a like reception at every point he may visit in his native state: Shocco
Springs, Warren Co.,
General Joseph Lane,
one of the Democratic candidates for the Presidency, was received today
at Shocco Springs by a large concourse of people and the military of
Warren and the surrounding country. After reviewing the troops, and
responding to an address from the attorney general of the state, a
salute of artillery was fired.N.C., July 20, 1860. A grand entertainment in honor of the General was given by the citizens. His presence in his native state creates the greatest enthusiasm. He leaves for Kittrill's Springs and Raleigh tomorrow. P
The
Weekly Courier, Fayetteville, North Carolina, July 28,
1860,
page 1THE JACKSONVILLE SENTINEL.--This paper, published in Oregon, as we mentioned yesterday, has put up the names of Breckinridge and Lane, whereupon U. B. Freaner, one of the editors and proprietors, issued the following: "By the publication of the above article, and a difference of opinion entertained between Mr. O'Meara and myself, I regret to announce to the friends and patrons of the Sentinel that my connection with it ceases from and after today. Believing that Mr. Douglas fairly and legitimately received the nomination at the late National Democratic Convention, and moreover believing that he is the choice of the Democratic masses of Oregon, I considered that it was the duty of the Sentinel to sustain him as the regular Democratic nominee; hence my reason for withdrawing from the concern." Sacramento Daily Union, July 28, 1860, page 3 The Jacksonville (Oregon) Sentinel has hoisted the Breckinridge and Lane flag. Mr. U. B. Freaner withdraws from the firm in consequence. "Yreka, July 26," Los Angeles Star, August 11, 1860, page 1 Letter from Oregon.
PORTLAND,
Sept. 24th, 1860.
EDITOR STAR:--The
matters of most public importance here just now are of a political
character. And although, from pressing circumstances, I have not been
able to be around a great deal, I hear enough, and judging from my own
somewhat limited experience I believe it to be true, to convince me
that Breckinridge and Lane will carry this state with a very
respectable majority. The split in the good old Democratic Party is
much to be regretted, but I do not think the Douglas faction will carry
off votes enough to ensure the election of Lincoln. As between the two
parties, no one will assert that Oregon is Republican, although from
local causes, the men of that party seem to be in the ascendancy. Yet,
if the question were fairly put to the people, the Democratic Party
would carry everything before it.In regard to Mr. Lane's unpopularity, about which doubtless you have heard a great deal, I must say the reports are greatly exaggerated. I candidly admit he is not so personally popular as he has been--why, I have never found out. But I believe it is wholly owing to the split in the party, and to the firm, manly, and decided part he took on that occasion. "Old Joe" is not a man to do things by halves; when he means no, he is perfectly well understood, for he says no. And this straightforward, bold, uncompromising spirit has made enemies of all those who desire, about this time, to carry water on both shoulders. They have turned against him, not for any fault of his, but that they may claim to be on the "winning" side, should it so happen, as these same prophets foretell, that the state should go for Lincoln. They prophesy, and then go to work to make their vaticinations true. Among those who are now opposed to Gen. Lane, and of course in hot pursuit of the supposed "rising star" of the Democracy--that contemptible, dirty, wriggling, slimy, little demagogue, S. A. Douglas--is the editor of the Statesman, Bush. This man Bush, it is well known to everyone, owes everything he possesses to the continued kindness of Gen. Lane. He lifted him from obscurity, almost want, and placed him in wealth and influential position; and now, Forney-like, he turns round and basely deserts his early friend. Notwithstanding all he can do, and many others like him, equally faithless and ungrateful, I have not the least doubt but that Oregon will very creditably sustain Mr. Lane. In conversation the other day with a neighbor, and a very influential Black, he acknowledged that his party in reality did not claim a majority in Oregon or California--he said that he was confident that both these states would go for Breck and Lane, with the entire South. THE
HARVEST, CROPS, FRUIT, ETC.
The harvest throughout the state has
been unprecedentedly good. There has never been so much grain produced
in Oregon before in a single year--and it is believed not in two. There
is scarcely any demand for wheat or oats, and at present prices they
will not quit
cost. Wheat is being delivered in market at
60¢ per bushel--from which deduct 15 to 20 cents per bushel
for transportation, and it will leave the farmer about 40 to 45 cents
for his wheat. Oats in market is only
30 cents. Potatoes about 25 cents per bushel.The fruit crop will be good, but hardly equal to that of last year, owing to the last frosts. Good winter apples will bring a fair price. Thanks to a kind Providence, we will have plenty to eat.-- Come up and share it with us. Yours, &c., IKE. Los Angeles Star, October 6, 1860, page 2 I have to note a little incident in connection with Ancient Joseph and the Presidency. Joseph's portrait has long graced a daguerrean gallery in this city, to the infinite delight, it appears, of his son-in-law, Thelby [Aaron D. Shelby]. The enterprising proprietors lately procured a large photograph of "Old Abe," as handsome, of course, as a map of his homely visage could be made, and hung it up in the same collection of notables with Joseph. Thelby considered it an indignity to "pa," and made it the occasion of having a flareup of the most outrageous kind with the unintentionally offending practitioners of the art preservative of personal beauty. "Letter from Portland," Oregon Statesman, Salem, April 22, 1861, page 3 GEN. LANE.--The distinguished ex-Senator arrived at San Francisco, April 24th, in the steamer Golden Age, and on the afternoon of the 25th took the steamer Cortes for Portland. He is doubtless already on his way overland to his home near Winchester. From the S.F. papers, we learn that a squad of ruffianly blackguards attempted to get up a demonstration against the ex-Senator on his arrival at that city, by calling him "secessionist," "traitor," and "disunionist" from the wharf, as he stood upon the steamer's deck. The base effort failed. For such hounds to apply the name of traitor to Gen. Lane is about equivalent to calling themselves patriots or decent citizens. Oregon Sentinel, Jacksonville, May 4, 1861, page 2 Union Demonstration at
Dallas--Lane Hanged in Effigy.
The following letter from Polk County, which we are compelled to
abridge somewhat for want of space, shows the odor in which treason is
held in that locality, and the union feeling evoked by the presence of
a traitor:
Dallas,
May 5th, 1861.
Ed. Statesman--Yesterday
afternoon Gen. Jo Lane, of South Carolina, and son, arrived in a
two-horse wagon at the Eagle Hotel in this quiet village. The word flew
through town; a crowd collected, and enthusiastically permitted the
great man to remove his own boxes, big and little, baggage and bundles,
into the hotel, himself, while they flew to the liberty pole and
hoisted the national flag, shouting for "The Union"--"The flag of our
Union." As the colors unfurled to the breeze, the General was heard to
exclaim, in a tone of deprecatory astonishment, "Umph! Why, they are
hoisting the stars
and stripes!"
Then we brought out the flying artillery, consisting of one gun--inch and a half bore--manufactured by drilling out an anvil; Capt. Theodore Thompson commanding, with plenty of powder, and a bushel of the General's ablest speeches on secession, marked, "free Jo. Lane," [i.e., letters franked with his signature] for wadding, and fired a national salute of thirty-four guns. Lane stood in front of the hotel, admiring the zeal of his friends in firing the cannon on his arrival, until four or five rounds had been fired, when one of the boys came up the street with an armful of wadding, and shouted, "Cram 'em in; we've got lots of em--they don't cost nothin'; they're all "free Jo. Lane." Upon this, the General "dissoluted" and dodged through the door. (The same mistake he made at San Francisco.) The thirty-third gun was hammered full to the muzzle with a sledgehammer and a bolt of iron and went off with a "Hurrah! for Oregon and the Union!" When the thirty-fourth gun was fired, Collins sprang upon the steps of the courthouse, waved his hat, and with a voice that would have deafened Stentor, shouted: "Three cheers for the Union and the Constitution, as our fathers made it and as we will preserve it, or die!" and the deafening cheers went up to Heaven from every gushing heart. Then all quietly retired, leaving the proud flag of the whole nation streaming at the masthead, and Joseph, whom no one had yet taken by the hand, to his reflections. This morning, when the General rose from the pleasant dreams of the night, the first thing that met his view was an effigy, with a black cockade in the cap, suspended by a rope from a tree in front of the hotel, marked, in unmistakable characters, "JO LANE, THE TRAITOR." Consequently, the General's wagon drew up to the back door, through which he made his exit, I presume reflecting with pleasure upon the enthusiastic manner in which he had been received and entertained. The effigy is still hanging, and I do not know the man who will cut it down. The General's journey through the land is certainly an ovation. S.D.M.
Oregon
Statesman, Salem, May 6, 1861, page 2JOSEPH SLIGHTLY MISTAKEN.--The S.F. Times states that General Joseph Lane, ex-United States Senator from Oregon, evidently believed the guns fired in honor of Latham, as the mail steamer was coming in yesterday, were in honor of himself, and he showed himself on deck; but when the steamer reached the wharf, he was hissed, and retired to the cabin amid shouts of "Secessionist!" "Traitor!" "They have good hemp in store for you when you get to Oregon!" Oregon Statesman, Salem, May 6, 1861, page 3 LOCKED UP--The Union men of Albany locked up their cannon to prevent the secession traitors from firing a salute for their bellwether, Gen. Lane. Oregonian, Portland, May 11, 1861, page 2 Gen. Lane.
The enemies of this gentleman in Oregon attempt by every means to cast
odium upon his name and acts. Misrepresentation of the vilest
character, and falsehoods that would shame an ordinary slanderer to
utter, are resorted to in the foul work of debasing him. They may have
effect upon those who do not know Gen. Lane or who know very little of
the character of his maligners, but persons acquainted with either him
or them will not be misled by anything spoken or published by the
knavish band. They denounce him as a traitor. If to take up arms in
defense of his country, to fight his country's battles, to support the
Constitution and the laws, to favor equal and exact justice to every
section and every state of the Union, to denounce fanaticism on the one
hand and rebellion on the other, to serve his country, his state, his
constituency, to be true to his friends and open in his hostility to
his enemies--if to be this is to be a traitor, then is Gen. Lane a
traitor; and for one, we glory in his style of treason. But who are
those who now call him traitor? As well in Oregon as elsewhere, we find
them to be the men who have for years violated and bid defiance to
plain, unmistakable provisions of the Constitution they now so
frothingly profess to revere, and to the laws as well; they have joined
in the hue and cry against one section of the Union, and hating the
people of that section, have taught and learned their children to grow
up in hatred of them also, so that the fanatical war upon that people
should never cease until the knell of the Union had sounded, or the
South, robbed, laid waste by servile insurrection, prostrate and
powerless, should accede or be forced to yield all that their merciless
and malevolent foes should demand; they are of the class that have
driven nine states from the bond of Union by their violation of written
law and their denial of conceded rights and that would now wage a war
of extermination against slaveholders sooner than maintain a peace upon
a fair and honorable compromise of the difficulties which have sprung
immediately from their own disregard and violation of the Constitution
that held in firm and sacred bond for eighty years the states of the
Republic. And now, when their madness, malevolence, persecutions and
oppressions have forced the Union asunder, they would fill the air with
their own clamors of love for the Union and cry down those who by a
just course towards all the states, to the North and to the South
alike, have proved their devotion in the past and evince their fealty
at the present trying time to the government, even whilst administered
by men who have materially aided in destroying it, as traitors?
Gen. Lane can well afford to rest his case, so far as his love, honor, duty and service to the Union that was, or the government that is, is concerned, despite the ravings and malicious denunciations of enemies at home or abroad. His record is his country's. He has fought for her, he has served her long and honestly, and if he has not displayed the highest order of statesmanship, he has shown a devotion and a fealty to the whole country to the full measures of his abilities, with a sincerity and honesty it would be well for the ablest of his enemies to imitate. He has closed his political career, and left no blemish upon it. He has returned to Oregon, to pass the remainder of his days in peaceful retirement, and to prove by his course as a private citizen his obedience to the Constitution and laws of his country and his state. Ordinary instincts of charity would dictate to his enemies that he should no longer serve as a target for their shafts of spleen, malice and revenge. None but fiendish spirits would attack the retired brave soldier and faithful public servant, and we find those engaged in the disgraceful work to be of this class. In former years, they cringed before and fawned around him, accepting with well-feigned thanks the patronage, influence and position he gave to them. Grown vigorous under the kindness he manifested towards them, and rich from the bounties he extended to them, like serpents warmed to life they turned and used their venom upon their benefactor. As they could not use him in their evil designs they resolved to drag him from the high place he occupied. It was a cowardly, sneaking ruffian's work, and fitly each performed it. During his absence from the state, while in the performance of his duties at the federal capital, with his back turned, and as it were powerless, they concocted and carried out their base designs against him. The task required treachery, ingratitude and falsehood. The conspirators were amply armed with these prerequisites. Where all else failed, bribery was resorted to, and another state supplied the gold to purchase men whose sons were already bought, but whose palms were still prurient. By these means Gen. Lane was in his own state overcome. Since his retirement and especially since his return home, his enemies have struck at him more religiously than ever. He is now called "traitor"! We ask the fair-minded, the just of all parties, to read his last speech in the U.S. Senate. All true Union men will applaud it. It is an able, strong, patriotic speech. Not a disunion nor disloyal sentiment lurks in it. It is the speech [omission?]; it utters the sentiments of a just, good Union-loyal man. Further, if readers wish to learn Gen. Lane's position now that the Union is torn and sundered, since one section is arrayed in hostile arms against the other, we ask them to read the following from the Corvallis Union, which gives briefly but plainly his views upon the present condition of our country's troubles. It must convince all good men that Gen. Lane is far, very far, from being a "traitor," but that he is as he has ever been, true to his country and to the laws: "Gen. Joseph Lane arrived, unexpectedly, in our city on Sunday evening, by the way of Dallas; his son, Lafayette, and two nieces accompanied him. Immediately after midnight the cannon was taken out and a salute fired in honor of his arrival. During the morning of Monday, many of our citizens of all parties called upon him and bade him welcome and tendered their congratulations for his safe return. A formal reception was had at the courthouse in the afternoon. Hon. I. N. Smith received him in an appropriate and feeling address. He was then introduced to the audience by Col. Kinney, who was chairman of the meeting, and responded to the reception address in a short speech, reviewing his labors in Congress very briefly, and dwelling for a short time on our national troubles. The house was well filled, all parties being well represented, and by the prompt and loud cheering evinced their good will towards Gen. Lane and his views. Many were surprised to find that, instead of being a disunionist and secessionist, Gen. Lane was a strong Union man, and unequivocally opposed to any move towards the separate independence of the Pacific. "In the evening the General was serenaded at the residence of his son, Nath. H. Lane. There again the good will of all parties was displayed by their participating in the affair. "Gen. Lane in his speech and private conversation counseled against excitement, and argued a peace policy, particularly for this coast, and the effect has been most favorable on our community. He left here on Wednesday morning for his home in Southern Oregon, bearing with him the good wishes of our entire community." Oregon Sentinel, Jacksonville, May 18, 1861, page 2 A RUFFIAN MOB.--A small band of low ruffians at Dallas, in Polk County, hung Gen. Lane in effigy as he passed through that place on his way homeward recently. The citizens of Dallas did not countenance the disgraceful act. When the citizens of Roseburg threatened to hang Senator Nesmith of Polk County last fall, for his treachery to party and perfidy to principles, he appealed to the relatives and devoted friends of Gen. Lane to intercede in his behalf and prevent the execution of the threat. They did intercede with the incensed multitude, and saved Nesmith from the mortification and disgrace about to be inflicted. An appeal from any other source would have been fruitless. The mob at Dallas have added ingratitude to infamy. But that is neither strange nor unexpected. Oregon Sentinel, Jacksonville, May 18, 1861, page 3 DREADFUL ACCIDENT.--The stage of Wednesday from the north brought sad intelligence concerning Gen. Lane. From a passenger we learned that the distinguished gentleman was in the act of getting out of his wagon when about four miles above his own residence on the road, and a pistol he had about him, catching by the hammer, accidentally discharged. The ball entered the lower part of the right breast and came out near the top of the shoulder. The wound was not considered mortal. Word of the terrible accident was instantly conveyed to Gen. Lane's family, who were hastening to the spot when our informant passed in the stage. Oregon Sentinel, Jacksonville, May 18, 1861, page 3 WILL HE DIE?--Gen. Lane is seriously wounded by the accidental discharge of his pistol; but we trust his life will be spared for a higher end. Oregon Statesman, Salem, May 20, 1861, page 2 ACCIDENTALLY SHOT.--A report was received by the stage on Wednesday to the effect that Gen. Lane while crossing the Calapooia Mountains came to a bad place in the road and got out of the wagon when his pistol fell and exploded, and lodged the ball in his shoulder. It is also stated seriously that an Irishman along with him, expecting him to die, desired Lane to give him a certificate before death that he had not murdered him. The Irishman evidently feared the curse pronounced against the slayer of Cain might rest on him. Oregon Statesman, Salem, May 20, 1861, page 2 The Jacksonville Sentinel says that Gen. Lane was accidentally shot with his own pistol, while getting out of a wagon when about four miles from his own residence. The ball entered the lower part of the breast and came out of the shoulder. The wound is not considered mortal. "From Oregon," Red Bluff Independent, May 21, 1861, page 3 Gen. Lane is so far recovered as to be able to walk about with the help of a cane. It is supposed his son is among the rebel forces now infesting Washington. "City," Morning Oregonian, Portland, May 29, 1861, page 3 CAUSE FOR SECESSION.--We are assured that John Lane would have been seceded from West Point, for want of proficiency, at the present examination, and that is the occasion of his joining the traitor army. The old one "dissoluted" because he could not be President, and the young one because he could not be a lieutenant. Oregon Statesman, Salem, June 17, 1861, page 2 GOSEF LANE.--This noted individual did not meet with a very flattering reception on his return to Oregon, after affiliating with the Southern rebels. A Portland (Oregon) correspondent of the New York Commercial gives the annexed account: "Gen Joseph Lane met with a very cool reception in Oregon. The drayman refused to haul his luggage to the hotel. At Dayton, as the General crossed the river, he said to the ferryman that 'he supposed he was the worst abused man in Oregon.' 'I don't believe that,' said the ferryman, who did not know Mr. Lane, 'unless you are Jo Lane himself.' At Dallas, farther up the valley, he was hung in effigy right before his hotel door." Pennsylvania Daily Telegraph, Harrisburg, July 3, 1861, page 2 John Lane, son of "our Joseph," who did not get to be President, seceded from West Point, took a lieutenant's commission under Jeff. Davis, served some time at Savannah, Ga., and was, at last accounts, at Manassas Junction, as fully determined to get into the White House as his "pa" ever was. "Oregonians in Dixie's Land," Oregon Statesman, Oregon City September 16, 1861, page 2 AN IRISHMAN UPON THE DEMOCRATIC PARTY.--The Oregon Sentinel has a long letter from an Irishman who gives his views on the position of the so-called Democracy towards Irishmen as follows: "Three times in the last thirty years has this party committed treason against their Irish fellow citizens, by whose aid alone they were hoisted into power, and all those acts in the same city--Charleston, South Carolina. First, in 1832, when they nullified the laws of Congress, by which American industry and manufacturing skill would be developed, and a remunerative labor market opened to the Irish race; next, in 1860, when they rent asunder the great Democratic convention of the United States, and with less than a third of their whole number did, in the city of Richmond, place in nomination John C. Breckinridge, of Kentucky, and Joseph Lane of Oregon, practically nullifying the time-honored doctrine of the party, that "the majority shall govern." Weekly Trinity Journal, Weaverville, California, May 24, 1862, page 4 GEN. LANE, since his return from the Capital, has kept entirely at home in the Umpqua Valley, attending strictly to the pursuits of a farmer. He, with the assistance of one of his grandsons, has just finished cutting and putting up near forty acres of grain, the venerable ex-Senator making a full hand in the field during the entire harvest. "Coast and Local Items," Eugene Democratic Register, August 23, 1862, page 4 A correspondent from Umpqua County says:--"Joe Lane has sold out his black mud farm, and it is thought he is bound for the land of Dixie. He says 'he will not be drafted--he will volunteer first.'" Probably going to lay down his "dead body" somewhere in Dixie, for our soldiers to walk over. "Domestic Items," Oregon Statesman, Salem, October 6, 1862, page 3 ON THE WING.--Joseph Lane has sold out his mud patch in Umpqua, and it may be he is "flying from his far-off Pacific home to lend all the powers of his arm and his head in defense of"--somebody. It's of no use to try, Yozef; that "arm" and that "head" are played out. The great "konkerin' hero," Jo Lane, at a Copperhead meeting lately held in Roseburg, officiated as bottle-holder to the "Pygmy Chief of Oregon Copperheads," James O'Meara, while the latter spread himself through three mortal hours of space in denunciation of Abolitionists, etc. The "Democracy of Douglas County" (twenty persons) were there, in mass meeting assembled. By resolutions adopted and endorsed by "Josef," it is evident that he thinks the "rights" of the South have been "invaded," her "citizens oppressed," and, in conformity with the promise made in his North Carolina banquet speech, probably designs to "fly to their relief from his far-off Pacific home, to lend all the power of his arm and head (oh!) in their defense--in defense of the rights of the South." The breezes from the north are too bracing to be pleasant to foul birds inured to the foetid atmosphere of slavery. They should migrate. Oregon Sentinel, November 28, 1863, page 2
JOE LANE.--The
great "Konkerin Hero," after two or three years' silence, is again
making speeches in favor of the Southern Confederacy.
Oregon Sentinel, Jacksonville,
March 12, 1864, page
2JO LANE.
We
had hoped that we were done with this old traitor. When he returned
from Washington, in 1861, to the state he had so shamefully
misrepresented, and the constituency whose sentiments he had outraged,
he slunk with dread of arrest and punishment for his infamous treason
to the retirement of his patch of black mud in the Umpqua hills, and
there loathed by the loyal masses, and gnawed with remorse of
conscience and defeated ambition, avoiding the gaze of honest men, he
remained, until the people were about to forget, in eagerness to crush
more dangerous because more active traitors, that so vile an one as old
Jo. Lane had ever existed. But it appears that emboldened by the
forbearance which has been shown him, and mistaking contempt for
indifference, he has lately crawled out to spew his venomous treason
upon the public. In three or four speeches he has made lately, he shows
that repentance has been no part of his work in his retirement. An open
and avowed sympathizer with Jeff. Davis and the Confederacy from the
first, he is so lost to shame that he does not hesitate to avow that
sympathy now.
He reaffirms, upon every occasion, his infamous speech of March 2, 1861--the doctrine that a state cannot be coerced--and is for "peace on any terms," provided these terms do not involve the punishment or humiliation of the rebellious states. That our readers may not forget the declarations which this chief of the copperhead party was permitted to make upon the floor of the Senate on 2nd of March, 1861, forty days after Jeff Davis had left the Senate to assume the head of the rebel government, we make a few extracts from this speech. After quoting--as do the Oregon secessionists in this campaign--the Kentucky resolutions of 1798-99, and applauding their sentiment, he says: "Here Mr. Jefferson asserts that a state aggrieved shall judge not only of the mode but the measure of redress. Is this treason? If the measure of redress extends to secession, how can the Senator from Tennessee [Andy Johnson] do less than denounce the great apostle of liberty--as Mr. Jefferson has been called--a traitor?" We commend this paragraph to the consideration of those Democratic orators and newspapers which boldly assert that these resolutions do not teach secession. Their great light and leader is fearfully wrong if they do not. But again he says: "I think, for the sake of consistency with all my past professions as a Democrat, I am bound to respect the declared will of the sovereign states which for reasons satisfactory to themselves have seceded from the Union, and established a separate and independent government. Whatever the causes may have been which compelled them to a separation from the other states, I am bound to respect the expression of their sovereign will, and I heartily reprobate the policy of attempting to thwart that will under the pretense of 'punishing treason' and 'enforcing the laws.'" He then quotes Madison and Hamilton, Jefferson and Webster, in defense of the right of secession, and attempts to show that, although Jackson once held to the doctrine that "coercion" might be tolerated in case of an attempt to destroy the government, "his opinions afterwards underwent a radical change," and he "would never have struck a blow," he never "would have fired a gun." The Democrat and Review are continually quoting these eminent statements to show there is no secession in the resolutions of 1798-99. What can they say to these positions of their acknowledged leader? Referring to the arch-traitor who was then at the head of the rebellion, he says: "Yet upon this floor there are some base enough to allude to him as a traitor. Mr. President, I have not words to express my contempt for any man that can apply such a term to such a man as Jefferson Davis. Jefferson Davis a traitor! Treason applied to him! He, the purest and bravest of patriots! He fought for his flag and country when the cowards and poltroons that now dare vilify him were supine at home. He will live glorious in history when they are earth and forgotten." Every voter in Oregon ought to read the whole of this speech before election day. It may be found in the Congressional Globe for 1861, Part 2, page 1342. It is full of justification for the seceding states, full of denial of the right of the government to do anything to prevent secession and disruption, full of laudations of southern traitors, but has never a word of condemnation for the traitor, nor even an expression of regret that the government to which he, of all other men, owed so much was about to be destroyed. It seethes with treason--rank, vile, outspoken treason--from [one] end of it to the other, and it is a most remarkable instance of the over-liberality of our form of government, that such a speech, from one largely a recipient of its bounty, was tolerated, and the offender allowed to go unpunished. Fellow citizens! this man is the acknowledged leader of the copperheads, and is now stumping the state in support of Col. Kelly and the Democratic Party! He is puffed and lauded by the Democratic press of the state! Can we, then, believe that their professions of desire to maintain the Union, to put down the rebellion, or to punish traitors, are anything more than sheer gammon--transparent gull traps to catch credulous voters! Out upon such hypocrisy! Oregon Statesman, Salem, May 30, 1864, page 2 Electioneering.
I am an old resident of Oregon, and was for many years a constituent of
General Joe L---, at one time Oregon's greatest politician. I propose
telling the curious reader one of his electioneering dodges, and how
nicely he got caught at it. Uncle Joe was about to make a speech to the
unterrified of Long Tom, and stopped at Tom Brown's for dinner. He knew
Tom to be a little shaky--in fact, quite inclined to be anti-L---, and
Uncle Joe determined to bring him over. As soon as he entered the house
he commenced his usual tactics: "Well, God bless you, Mrs. Brown! how
do you do, and how are all the little ones?" After kissing the dirty
brood all around, he asks for Mother's pipe. "If there is anything I do
like, it is to smoke Mother's pipe; it's got some strength into it, and
does a fellow some good. By the by, Mrs. Brown, they say Tom is going
to vote agin me. I hope he won't. He and I have fit Indians together
upon Rogue River, and camped out in the mountains, and been good
friends and Dimocrats ever since we came to Oregon."
Presently dinner is ready, and they have pork and beans, of course. Mr. Brown is sorry they have nothing better. But, says Uncle Joe, "You could not have anything better; bless your soul, we don't have anything half as good in Washington. Why, my friend, the President, would give half his salary to get such beans as these. Have you got a pint you could spare? I would so like to take them to him for seed." "We've got bushels of them," says Mrs. Brown. "Well, now, how lucky! If you will, do put up a pint of them. I will put them in my saddlebags and take them on to Mr. Buchanan, and I would not be surprised if it were the means of Tom getting one of the best offices in the state." So the beans were put up and stowed away in Uncle Joe's saddlebags, and Tom's vote and influence were all made sure. In about a week Tom and his wife go up to Eugene to visit Tom's sister, Mrs. Smith. Uncle Joe had been there, and made a first-rate impression. Mrs. Smith tells Mrs. Brown, "What a nice gentleman Squire L--- is--so kind and sociablelike, and then he thinks so much of Smith! Would you believe it, he brought us a pint of beans all the way from Washington, the very kind the President has on his table." At this Mrs. Brown begins to smell a very big mice. Says she: "Mrs. Smith, what kind of beans is them he brought you from Washington?" "Oh, they are nice beans--twice as large as our white ones, with a pinkish eye." "I thought so, says Mrs. Brown. "May I see those beans?" "Certainly," says Mrs. Smith. "I have them in the bag with the garden seeds." The beans were produced, still tied up in a piece of Jane Brown's calico dress. This produced an explosion. Brown and Smith at once became anti-L---, and worked hard to defeat him. Messrs. Brown and Smith were a host in themselves. They canvassed Long Tom and Eugene so thoroughly that Uncle Joe had not the ghost of a chance in those precincts. Coshocton Democrat, Coshocton, Ohio, September 19, 1865, page 3 Married.
Oregon Sentinel, Jacksonville,
February 17, 1866, page
2
In Jacksonville, at the United States Hotel, on the 15th instant, by U.
S. Hayden, J.P., Mr. EDWARD H. WHITE
to Miss WINNIFRED LANE.
RETURNED.--John Lane, Lieutenant Colonel of the late Confederate States, son of Hon. Joseph Lane, returned to Portland on the 27th of last month. Oregon Sentinel, Jacksonville, March 10, 1866, page 2 DEMOCRATIC PLATFORM.
Oregon
Herald, Portland, May 24,
1866, page 4ADOPTED BY THE DEMOCRATIC STATE CONVENTION OF OREGON, HELD IN PORTLAND, APRIL 5, A.D. 1866.
1. Resolved, That
we reaffirm, as the creed of our political faith and practice, our
steadfast devotion to the following principles, viz: Equal and exact
justice to all men, of whatever state, party or sect; the support of
the state governments in all their rights, and of the federal
government in all its vigor; a jealous care of the elective franchise;
the supremacy of the civil over the military authority; opposition to
the centralization of power; economy in all public expenditures; the
general diffusion of education; the encouragement of morality and the
highest civilization; the right of every man to worship God according
to the dictates of his own conscience; freedom of speech, freedom of
the press, and freedom of the person under the protection of the habeas corpus.
2. Resolved, That the action of the majority in Congress, in refusing to admit the Representatives of eleven states, is an unwarranted assumption of power on the part of Congress, revolutionary in its tendency and dangerous to the liberties of the people; that we do and will sustain President Johnson in his determination and efforts for the complete restoration of all the constitutional rights of all the states, and we unreservedly approve his veto of the Freedmen's Bureau and Civil Rights bills, and all his constitutional efforts to prevent the fanatical majority in Congress from changing or destroying our cherished form of government. 3. Resolved, That the position assumed by President Johnson, that the Representatives from the Southern states ought to be at once admitted to seats in Congress, and that legislation affecting such states while they are unrepresented is unconstitutional, meets with our hearty approval. 4. Resolved, That the assumptions of the opposition that the Democratic Party is in favor of repudiating the public debt, and that it is in favor of nullification and secession, are slanderous and false. 5. Resolved, That we endorse the sentiment of Senator Douglas, that this government was made on a white basis for the benefit of the white man, and we are opposed to extending the right of suffrage to any other than white men. 6. Resolved, That the exemption of United States bonds from taxation is substantially the exemption of rich men from taxation because they are rich, and the taxation of poor men because they are poor, and we are in favor of taxing those bonds for county, state, and municipal purposes. 7. Resolved, That strict and impartial justice demands that the expenses of the general government, as well as of the state governments, should be borne by the people according to their ability and not according to their necessities; and hence that we condemn now, as in the past, a protective tariff that tends necessarily to oppress the masses for the benefit of the rich. 8. Resolved, That in a democratic government the real sovereignty rests in the people, and all efforts tending to wrest power from the people is a war upon them, revolutionary and dangerous; and that the existence of national banks, after the experience we have had with and without them, especially in times of peace, is a subject of just alarm. 9. Resolved, That the unlawful and shameful squandering of the people's money by our present state officials meets with our emphatic condemnation. 10. Resolved, That we will ever hold in grateful memory those through whose patriotic, not mercenary or partisan, services the dignity of the Republic and the integrity of the Union were preserved; and we denounce as a base insult to the gallant living and heroic dead, the present efforts of the radicals to convert the nation's victory into a partisan triumph--seeking to make the late war one of conquest instead of the suppression of the rebellion--for subjugation instead of restoring the Union--for the negro instead of the white man. 11. Resolved, That the miners should be encouraged and protected in the free use of the mines. 12. Resolved, That we adhere to the great American Monroe Doctrine of nonintervention by our transatlantic neighbors with the governments of this continent, as a cherished Democratic doctrine. October 27, 1867, we the undersigned have received, in the Chapel of St. Stephen of Roseburg, before the Mass, the abjuration of Protestantism and profession of faith to the Catholic Church of the Hon. Lafayette Lane, son of 25 years of age of Hon. General Lane and of [blank]. In the presence of Rev. Father Odilon Vandergreen and in the presence of many witnesses. F.
N. Blanchet, Archbishop of O.C.
October 27, 1867, we the undersigned have received, on a Sunday before Mass, and [in] the Church or Chapel of St. Stephen of Roseburg, have solemnly baptized without condition Hon. Paul Lafayette Lane, son aged 25 years, born of the lawful marriage of Hon. General Lane and Mrs. Lane, of the Douglas County, Oregon; the Godfather was Rev. F.
N. Blanchet, Archbishop of O.C.
October 27, 1867, the Hon. Paul Lafayette Lane, having heard the Mass and received Holy Communion, was confirmed at the end of the Mass before the whole congregation. Alph.
Glorieux, p.m.
October 21, 1867, at Mount Lane, Douglas County, Oregon, we the undersigned have received at his domicile the abjuration of Protestantism of Hon. General Lane and his profession of faith in the Holy Catholic Church. In the presence of Simon Lane, his son, of Mrs. Mosher, his daughter, Mrs. Lane, his wife, Hon. Pl. Lafayette Lane, his son. Alph.
Glorieux, p.m.
October 31, 1867, at Mount Lane, his residence ten miles from Roseburg, before a low Mass, we the undersigned have solemnly baptized, under condition, Hon. General Joseph Lane, 66 years of age, in the presence of his two sons, Simon Lane and Hon. Pl. Lane, Mrs. Mosher. The Godfather was the undersigned. Alph.
Glorieux, p.m.
October 31, 1867, at Mount Lane, Douglas County, at his domicile, Hon. General Joseph Lane, having received Holy Communion at Mass, was confirmed at the end of the Mass in the presence of the above-named persons. Alph.
Glorieux, p.m.
Register of St. Stephen's
Church, Roseburg, from Catholic
Church Records of the Pacific Northwest:Roseburg Register and Missions,
Binford & Mort 1986, pages 12-13."There is an episode," resumed E.L.A., "that, notwithstanding it occurred some ten or eleven years after, logically is related to the Rogue River War of 1853. The Democracy of Eugene invited Jo Lane to speak for them, and it was almost an open secret that the conduct of the Modoc War should be so treated as to throw ridicule upon the administration. [If the event took place ten or eleven years after 1853 it occurred during the Civil War. The Modoc War took place in 1873.] A long list of Republicans, to offset the matter, requested me to come over and bear a hand. I was then living in Mohawk, Lane County, and when I came to Eugene, Judge Fitch, the chairman of the Democratic central committee, came to know if I would be abusive or sarcastic upon the General. I replied, 'Tell him that I'll never allow any man to escape the severest criticism that undertakes to disparage the patriotic motives and methods by which a government endeavors honorably to suppress rebellion or mutiny; and as for anything else I can discuss it with complacency.' I hoped the General would conduct himself in such wise that I should not feel obliged to wound his self-esteem. The occasion was a marked occurrence which called out an immense audience; and for him it was intended as the one crowning opportunity of his life! He began by criticizing the policy of the United States in the prosecution of the Modoc War where it was deemed the better way not to deal harshly with the Indians, but to let them realize that we were only patiently leading them back to their senses and duty: for those natives could not at any time have imagined that the government forces feared them!! This parental procedure he stigmatized, in a sneering manner, as the 'Peace Policy,' and added almost unlimited satire. When my turn arrived I said, 'Gentlemen and Ladies, Fellow Citizens: This is a good time and an excellent opportunity to ventilate and vindicate the various features and motives of Oregon history.' I recollected well the points and tried to reproduce his own eloquent words after the presentation of the 'Extermination.--Black Flag--Colors on the banks of Rogue River prior to the Battle of Table Rock and coming of Nesmith's battalion. 'Now, fellow citizens,' said I, 'we have the General's own advice and precedent for the "Peace Policy"; a true paternal and God-like method which all sensible Oregonians commended then and approve now. Gentlemen: You ought to have observed and seen him on that eventful day--a badly wounded hero--his grey locks floating with the breeze--supported by two gallant Oregonians--reminding the scholar of the poet's sublime words: "As some tall cliff
At this point the old General was
visibly affected with a moist eye;
but I went on, 'Gentlemen, you have heard it said that "a genuine
Democrat will vote for a yellow dog if nominated? Hence an
unreflecting locofoco
is called a "yellow dog" Democrat! Now,
General, if a yellow dog character were on your ticket what
would be
your course?' Then I stepped back and waited--when he arose and
proceeded to explain: 'In answer to General Applegate's question I do
not hesitate to say that on finding my ticket so beclouded I would use
my divine right of conscience, scratch off the kinks and crookedness
and so be enabled to vote the only true straight ticket.' He was
applauded by every man on the ground and all felt that the political
atmosphere was purified by the words!that lifts its awful form, Swells from the vale and midway leaves a storm, Though round its breast the rolling clouds are spread, Eternal sunshine settles on its head." ' General Lane had been a trusted leader before the war and was candidate for Vice President on the Breckinridge ticket in 1860. Some in the crowd had said to me, 'Now is your time, General--skin him and hang it on the fence,' but what I said was enough, as the sequel will show. After the speaking was done he called me and said, 'I am proud that my efforts at Table Rock were so fully appreciated; and you were right in your quotations; so much so that I have made little for my party. The Republicans are loyal and the union is preserved. I shall go to my grave thankful that the star-spangled banner waves from the Lakes to the Gulf and from ocean to ocean.' This was the last political effort of his life. General Jo Lane was kind at heart and as a man I loved him like I would one of the patriarchs." Elisha Lindsay Applegate, quoted in Reese P. Kendall, Pacific Trail Camp-Fires, Chicago 1901, pages 240-243 JOINED THE CHURCH.--Bishop Blanchet, of the Roman Catholic Church, in conversation with one of our citizens, stated some weeks ago, that when on his journey south last fall he baptized into the Church two old and distinguished citizens of Oregon, Gen. Lane and W. G. T'Vault. Salem Daily Record, February 13, 1868, page 2 Col. T'Vault and General Joseph Lane have both professed religion and joined the Catholic Church. The old sinners have deceived the people and been obedient servants of the devil all their lives, but now in their dotage they are both trying to cheat the devil out of his just rights. Gen. Lane has been so strongly impressed with Catholicism that he has been remarried to his wife. Col. T'Vault ought to follow suit. It is meet for such worthies to float together, and there should be no bastards in the royal families. Oregon Sentinel, Jacksonville, October 3, 1868, page 2 September 11, 1869, we the undersigned have baptized at Mount Lane, Douglas Co., Oregon, Simon R. B. Lane, born on the 24th of November, 1866, a son of Simon Robert and Catherine A. Lane. Godfather, Hon. Paul. Laf. Lane. F.
N. Blanchet, Archb O.C.
September 11, 1869, we the undersigned have baptized at Mount Lane, Douglas Co., Oregon, Joseph Chs. Lane, born on the 14th day of September, 1868, a son of Simon Robert and Catherine A. Lane. Godfather, Hon. Paul. Lane. F.
N. Blanchet, Archb O.C.
September 11, 1869, we the undersigned have administered private baptism, under condition, in danger of death, on account of an apoplexy, at Mount Lane, Douglas Co., Oregon, Mrs. Mary Lane, aged 67 years, wife of Hon. General Joseph Lane, in presence of her husband and her son, Hon. Paul Laf. Lane, and some others. F.
N. Blanchet, Archb O.C.
September 12, 1869, we the undersigned have baptized in Roseburg, Douglas Co., Oregon, Paul Albert Mosher, aged 2 months, a son of Hon. Laf. Mosher. Sponsors, Mr. and Mrs. Adolphe Champagne. F.
N. Blanchet, Archb O.C.
Register of St. Stephen's
Church, Roseburg, from Catholic
Church Records of the Pacific Northwest:Roseburg Register and Missions,
Binford & Mort 1986, pages 21-22Last Sunday I had the pleasure of visiting General Lane at his country home; age has laid his finger on the old man's brow, and silvered his head with gray. He has retired to his country seat and private life among the hills of Umpqua. "Correspondence,"
Oregon Sentinel, Jacksonville,
November 13, 1869, page
1
Mary, wife of Gen. Joseph Lane, died at Roseburg on the night of the 16th inst. She was about 70 years of age. "State News," State Rights Democrat, Albany, Oregon, August 26, 1870, page 2 DEAD.--The Herald learns that the wife of Gen. Lane died at her residence in Douglas County, a few days since. Oregon Sentinel, Jacksonville, August 27, 1870, page 2 October 5, 1870, we the undersigned have baptized in St. Stephen's Church, Peter Waldo, born on the 1st of July, 1862, of a Negro mother. Sponsor: General J. Lane. L.
H. Wenenger, Pt.
October 5, 1870, we the undersigned have received the Profession of Faith and baptized under condition Mary E. Floed, a daughter of John C. Floed and Sarah Lane. She was born on the 28th of August, 1854. Godmother, Mrs. L. F. Lane. L.
H. Wenenger, Pt.
October 5, 1870, we the undersigned have received the Profession of Faith and baptized under condition Mary Floed, a daughter of John C. Floed and Sarah Lane. She was born on the [blank]. Godfather, Hon. L. F. Lane, Godmother Mrs. Ad. Champagne. L.
H. Wenenger, Pt.
October 5, 1870, we the undersigned have baptized Henry Young, a son of [blank] Young and Nancy Bradley. He was born on the 26th of May, 1852. Godfather, Hon. L. F. Lane. L.
H. Wenenger, Pt.
Register of St. Stephen's
Church, Roseburg, from Catholic
Church Records of the Pacific Northwest:Roseburg Register and Missions,
Binford & Mort 1986, pages 25-26.August 29, 1871, we the undersigned have baptized Agnes Lavinia Floed, a daughter of John Floed and Sarah Emily Lane; she was born on the 12th of December, 1861. Godfather, Mr. Paul Lafayette Lane; Godmother, Mrs. Paul L. Lane. J.
DeCraene, p.m.
September 2, 1871, we the undersigned have baptized Creed Philip, a son of Simon Lane and Catherine Drain; he was born on the 30th of July, 1871. Godfather, Hon. Paul Lafayette Lane; Godmother, Emily Floed. J.
DeCraene, p.m.
September 2, 1871, we the undersigned have baptized John Thomas, a son of John Lang and Maratha Gray. He was born on the 15th of May, 1871. Godfather, Thomas Sheridan; Godmother, Emma Floed. J.
DeCraene, p.m.
Register of St. Stephen's
Church, Roseburg, from Catholic
Church Records of the Pacific Northwest:Roseburg Register and Missions,
Binford & Mort 1986, page 26.October 11, 1872, we the undersigned have baptized Clement Arthur, born on the 9th of August, 1872, of the lawful marriage of Hon. L. F. Lane and Margaret Amanda Mann. Godfather, Thomas Sheridan, son; Godmother, Miss Emma Floed. F.
N. Blanchet, Archbp. of Oregon City
Register of St. Stephen's
Church, Roseburg, from Catholic
Church Records of the Pacific Northwest:Roseburg Register and Missions,
Binford & Mort 1986, page 32.Roseburg is the home of the Lanes--once the political power of the state--and up this creek, that comes pitching down between the great oak-topped hills, three miles in an easterly direction, and four miles perpendicular, as his son has it, lives General Joseph Lane--soldier, Governor, Senator, and at last candidate for the Vice Presidency. Very old is the General now, and quite retired, but the same as of old. His quiet, unpretending fireside and frugal meal are shared by the hermit the same now as when he was not poor, but strong and well-to-do, a great politician, and a power in the land. Joaquin Miller, "A Ride Through Oregon," Overland Monthly, April 1872, page 305 Any old Salemite who attended the statehouse ball in 1872 will tell you what a hit General Joseph Lane made when he came down from Roseburg dressed in his best bib and tucker, including buckskin gloves with gauntlets, and how he kissed all the pretty girls who were presented to him. Al B. Crosman, quoted by Fred Lockley, "Impressions and Observations of the Journal Man," Oregon Journal, Portland, August 16, 1935, page 10 GENERAL JO. LANE.--A correspondent of the Salem Statesman says old Jo Lane is now living very quietly in a beautiful little valley about fifteen miles from Roseburg, in Oregon. He is keeping "bachelor's hall," his sons and daughters being all well married, and notwithstanding he is seventy-odd years old he can still use his favorite weapon of exercise--the ax--and and force daylight through a log in as lively style as ever. The correspondent of the above-named paper remarks that the old man's indomitable soul and stalwart form refuse to bow under the heavy burden of years, and he strides about the foothills of the Cascades like a gigantic and imperishable Genius of the Border. He is probably the only man of his renown and station in the world who cooks dinner for his friendly visitors. Democratic Times, Jacksonville, May 21, 1875, page 1 Old Jo Lane.
An
Indianapolis correspondent of the Cincinnati
Enquirer writes
a long letter, embracing among other matters an interview between the
writer and Mr. Matt Brown, one of the Oregon delegates to the St. Louis
convention, in which a once-prominent public man of the United States
is mentioned:
"But the most notable object of interest we have out in our western regions," continued Brown, of Oregon, his eyes gleaming with devotional fire, "is old Gen. Joe Lane. I suppose there are thousands of people in this country familiar with his name and record who would swear he was dead, and the young politicians of the present generation manage to get along without mentioning him at all, which is very remarkable, I sometimes think, considering what a conspicuous figure he was in American politics twenty years ago. Indiana idolized him. No man ever received such an ovation for services in the field as Joe Lane when he returned from Mexico at the close of the war and gave the state a chance to carry him on its shoulders for his gallantry at Buena Vista. He came west in [1849], was appointed provisional governor of Oregon by Fillmore [sic--it was President Polk], then was in the Senate, and had just finished his term when the Charleston Convention recognized his radical pro-slavery opinions [sic--it was his electability that placed him on the ticket] by placing him on the ticket with Breckinridge. After that defeat he came back to us in disgust, and the hot political places that once knew him will know him no more forever. He bought a farm back of Roseburg, running up from the Valley of the Willamette, and built him a small frame house high up on a picturesque spur of THE
ROGUE [sic]
RIVER MOUNTAINS,
where he has lived ever since in the most
perfect
seclusion. Two years ago he lost his wife, whom he always called 'the
madam,' and loved devotedly. Since then his desolation has been
relieved only by a negro boy,
who cooks and keeps house for him. Infirm! You ought to see him. He's
eighty-three now, straight as an arrow, six feet two in height, and he
can pick up his gun and bring home a deer, or follow down a trout
stream over the rocks about as well as the next man. And then he reads
a great deal. One room in his cabin is sacred to his books, and his
library is one of the most valuable on the Pacific Slope. Strange how
the old man hangs on the skirts of the past! Old thoughts, old
questions, old scenes, old statesmen, which have nearly faded out of
our remembrance, and given place to the issues and plans of the
present, are meat, drink and lodging to him. The new thoughts of an
ever-busy and progressive race he cares very little about,
comparatively, and seems to have made up his mind that the country is
retrograding. He talks about ancient notions of political honor and
integrity, and any comparison with the present turns him sick at the
stomach. Only once lately we got him worked up to the point of coming
down from his garret in the clouds and making a speech. It was on the
4th of June, at Roseburg, just as we were getting ready to leave for
St. Louis. We circulated it in every direction, and people came over
the mountains to hear him, taking three and four days for the journey.
There were at least five thousand there, and whenTHE
OLD HERO BEGAN
the auditors stretched their necks as if
some
revelation was coming, and every word was to be precious. Only a few
could hear him, for his voice was drifted into the childish treble, but
curiosity kept them spellbound till he closed. He reminded one, with
his majestic presence and flowing white hair and beard, of some John
the Baptist in the wilderness, crying unto the people "Repent!" And
when he came down from the platform he took us delegates to one side
and begged us, with faltering voice and tears in his eyes, to give the
country a pure ticket, and help bring back the honesty and decency
which politics had lost and the country wanted to see restored. 'The
boys,' for that's the name he calls us by, look up to him with great
veneration, and think there is still more eloquence in those weak,
trembling tones than in all modern orators combined. The old man had
only one wish left--to vote for Tilden and Hendricks. If the ticket
wins he wants to depart in peace, like Simeon, for he will have lived
to see the country's salvation."Galveston Daily News, August 8, 1876, page 2 Gen. Joe Lane is living in a small frame house on a spur of Rogue River mountain, in Oregon. He is 83 years old. Quad City Times, Davenport, Iowa, August 15, 1876, page 2 SUDDEN DEATH
"Bert" Hibben Drops Dead in the Prime of Life-- Vigorous and Strong One Minute, the Next a Corpse.
This morning about 7 o'clock Mr. Ethelbert C. Hibben, so well known in
politics and by virtue of his position as one of the deputies of the
county clerk, died suddenly and unexpectedly at his residence,
either from congestion of the stomach, or from rupture of blood vessels
of the heart. The exact cause can only be determined by a postmortem.
For several weeks Mr. Hibben has been suffering at intervals with
neuralgic or congestive attacks of the stomach, and yesterday noon,
while in the superior court, was the sufferer for several minutes from
one of considerable severity. However, he attended to his duties as
usual, and during the afternoon was unusually cheerful and
pleasant-voiced, rattling off political bon mots with more than
customary bonhomie, and being unusually facetious to the sallies from
the laughing yet listening crowd. The evening he spent at home, and
this morning arose at his customary hour and built a fire in the grate
of the bedchamber. His wife and mother-in-law were out in the
dining room preparing breakfast, and upon hearing him call answered the
summons and found that he had lain down again upon the bed and seemed
to have a difficulty in breathing. He so stated. Mr. James M. Myers, a
near neighbor and an intimate friend, was summoned to his bedside, so
also Drs. Hasty and Barbour, but nothing could be done in relief, for
he died without a struggle and within five minutes after the first
apprehension of danger. Coming so suddenly, and so entirely unexpected,
the blow was a terrible one to his family. When the News reporter
called the house was filled with mourning, and the scene was harrowing
even to those attracted by mere curiosity, and who knew Mr.
Hibben simply as a passing acquaintance. The remains will be
shipped to Rushville at 10 a.m. tomorrow for burial.
By interview with Mr. Claib Donaldson and others some history of the deceased was learned. He was born in Wilmington, Ohio, in 1824, his father Thomas Hibben being a leading merchant in that section. In the interval between 1839 and 1840, Ethelbert, or Bert as he was known to all, clerked for his brother George in Rushville, this state. Afterwards he came to this city and studied law under Governor Whitcomb, and was admitted to practice in 1845. In 1857, or thereabouts, he accompanied Senator Lane to Oregon, and for two years was editor of the organ which the party established at Portland [the Weekly Times]. In 1859 he returned and in 1860 was married to Miss Gertrude, daughter of John L. Robinson, of Rushville, a lady with whom he lived happily, and who survives him. The issue of this marriage was one child, a girl, at present eleven years of age. Two brothers survive the deceased, George Hibben, of Chicago, and James S. Hibben, of the firm of Hibben, Pattison & Co., this city. A sister, Mrs. Lida Mauzy, is now living at Rushville. Although prominent in politics, and a man, despite his apparently roughness of manner, wielding large influence, Mr. Hibben never held office. He had an unpleasant habit of plainly speaking the truth in not the choicest term, which made him unpopular with politicians, and this they remembered when his friends pushed him forward for position. In 1864, however, he was made a candidate for clerk of the supreme court, but notwithstanding party, work and personal sacrifice were of little avail at that time, even to the most popular man of the party. In 1857, as stated, he accompanied Senator Lane to Oregon, and when Jesse D. Bright was Senator from this state occupied a confidential position at Washington with him. Of later years he embarked in several enterprises, and finally brought up as deputy clerk, a position to which he was appointed by Austin H. Brown. In later life he was mainly conspicuous by the use of his trenchant pen, which he yielded in season and out of season, and at times cared little what politician's hide was pricked. Some years ago he contributed largely to the Rushville Jacksonian; he also wrote for the Sentinel, and more recently has used the People for the dissemination of pungent paragraphs and open thrusts. His expose in The Daily News of the corruption of the Democratic supreme bench led to a change of the ticket after the nominations had been made in the state convention, and in various other directions has the power of his pen been felt. In character Mr. Hibben was a man of great force and determination. He was a bitter opponent and an uncompromising antagonist. Indeed, his violence often modified, if it did not neutralize, the effect of his efforts. He was not popular. He was a talkative man, and that made him pass for less than he was really worth, and his enemies were always ready to use that as an argument against him. His love of fair play and stern honesty were conspicuous. He knew no party when he saw wrong or fraud, and was as ready to denounce a political associate as a party opponent if he was guilty of corruption. In his aspirations to restore the ancient purity of his party and make it the servant of the people, he was ready to strike down anyone who stood in the way, friend or foe, and he believed most sincerely that the prosperity of the country depended upon the restoration to power of a purified Democracy. His faith in the people was so great that he was confident it only required the knowledge of official rascality spread abroad to create a revolution and purify that party. In support of his views he was always ready to work, and he knew how to take a blow as well as to give it. He was courageous, strong, self-willed, positive, trenchant--a man of marked characteristics, who with more self-control and with different associations would have made a conspicuous figure in politics. Upon hearing of his death this morning the following minute was ordered spread upon the record in room 3, superior court: "The court, having been informed of the death of Ethelbert C. Hibben, a deputy clerk of this court and clerk of this room, and who was but yesterday at the hour of adjournment in the active discharge of his duties, hereby testifies to his faithfulness and honesty in the performance of all the duties of his position, and directs this order to be entered of record. And the court hereby tenders to his family and friends the deepest sympathy in their sad bereavement, and in respect to the memory of the deceased it is now ordered that this court adjourn until tomorrow morning at 9 o'clock." The deputy clerks of the county office held an informal meeting today at noon and resolved to attend the funeral tomorrow in a body. No bar meeting had been called up to 2 p.m. Indianapolis News, September 15, 1876, page 4 The San Marcos [Texas] Free Press says of the now-venerable Gen. Jo. Lane, of Oregon, candidate for the vice presidency on Breckinridge's ticket in 1860, that he was a member of the Indiana Legislature which met at Corydon in 1822. As the clerk called the roll, and came to the counties of Vanderburg and Warrick, Mr. Smith says: "I saw advancing a slender, freckle-faced boy, in appearance eighteen or twenty years of age. I marked his step as he came up to my side, and have often noticed his air since. It was Gen. Joseph Lane, of Mexican and Oregon fame in after years." Austin Weekly Statesman, Texas, December 28, 1876, page 2 At the decoration of the Confederate graves at Fayetteville, Joseph Lane of Oregon sent flowers from that far-off state to decorate the grave of his old comrade Colonel Yell, who fell in the Mexican War. "Personal and General," Des Moines Register, June 11, 1878, page 4 GEN. JOSEPH LANE.
BY L. H. WELLS.
To estimate the character of a man who has been so prominently before
the American people as Gen. Lane requires some knowledge of his private
life. This cannot be derived from the record of his public career. It
must be obtained from acquaintance, conversation, and other
association. We may observe that a man who is truly great in a public
capacity will also display his eminent qualities in his private life.
Gen. Lane was preeminently a great man in all public relations. In his
private life he has known that he possesses in a great degree the
material out of which great men are made. Without even a knowledge of
the common branches of an English education, at the early age of 8 [sic] years
he entered the active scenes of life. He did not possess a brilliant
mind, but one of strength and comprehension. When he represented the
state of Oregon in the Senate of the United States, unlike a large
proportion of Senators, while he guarded well and faithfully the
interests of the state which he represented, he labored for the entire
Union. His mind was broad enough and deep enough to comprehend the whole Union; he
believed he represented Maine as well as his own state.
Through the grit in his nature, Gen. Lane acquired a thorough knowledge of men and things, and when he came into contact with the nation's representatives, in the stormy arena of debate, he was fully prepared to sustain the character of Senator. Today Gen. Lane is a private citizen of Roseburg, Ore. In his treatment of all those who come in contact with him he displays the spirit of true chivalry. No one can listen to the old man as he converses upon the topics of the day, or relates some incident in the nation's history in which he had a prominent part, without being impressed deeply with the fact of his greatness. Although the General is now 78 years of age, he possesses all the powers of his mind, and his eye will flash with enthusiasm and his cheeks glow with excitement when upon a favorite theme. His physical preservation is wonderful, and few men of his age can boast of his health or vigor. To pass an hour or so with him in listening (for you must listen), one is carried over the scenes of American history with a feeling as if excited by the reality. On his table will be found the latest publications of the day, and the old hero is as much of a student of American history today as he was twenty or thirty years ago. No man in the state of Oregon who knows the General but loves and admires him--loves him for his noble nature and admires him for the exalted grandeur of his character. He has studied men on the plains of the "Great West"; he has studied men at the camp-fire; he has studied men on the battle-field, and in the halls of Congress. Although 78 years old, Gen. Lane is not an "old fogey"; he is as progressive as most men are in the dawn of manhood. In a recent speech he said, "I rarely forget that little which I have learned. I remember--I retain it. My brain has never been injured. My memory is good and my brain is clear, and never was burned out by intoxicating drinks." It was under the care of Gen. Lane, as Governor, that Oregon cradled its infancy. In that capacity, when the state was beset with hostile Indians, he displayed the same energy and decision of character he after showed when he became Senator. He has made life a grand success; he is truly a self-made man--a living model after which men should shape and fashion their lives. His grey old head, crowned with the glories of 78 years, is now beyond the reach of envy, and even those who were his political enemies speak of him with a reverence approaching veneration. When he shall have passed away, his monument will be--the affection of the American heart. Roseburg, Oregon. Osage City Free Press, Osage
City, Kansas, February 21, 1879, page 8
General Lane gave a lecture in Roseburg on Sunday evening, on the battle of Buena Vista, which was well received. "News Items," The New Northwest, Portland, February 27, 1879, page 4 The Last of the Generals.
The
death of Gen. James Shields leaves that gallant old veteran, Gen. Joe
Lane, now living at Roseburg, the only surviving general of the Mexican
War--one that added so much glory, wealth and territory to this
country. Gen. Lane, though near eighty years of age, is still hale and
hearty, and bids fair to witness the recurrence of several
anniversaries of the bloody battle at Buena Vista, in which he gained
glorious distinction that has ever made him famous. He has recently
returned from a trip to Puget Sound that proved a perfect ovation. The
people have not forgotten their old-time Governor, Senator and friend,
nor are they slow to show the appreciation they always felt for him,
though long years have intervened since he served them in official
capacity. Private life has its charms, and he has preferred the quiet
of his mountain home to the public honors always in store for him.
Oregon Sentinel, July 25, 1879, page 2 VINDICATION.
In a
recent number of the Army
and Navy Journal
there appeared an article, above the signature of "Army Officer," that
reflects unfavorably on the hardy pioneers of Oregon. The statements
made by this Bohemian are not in accordance with history, and do
injustice to Gen. Lane, and all those concerned in the organization of
the Territorial Government. At this time, when we enjoy the fruits of
the labors of those noble men and women we cannot allow their names to
be covered with calumny. The "Army Officer," so called, cannot make
history from imagination. Before the appointment of Gen. Lane as first
Governor of Oregon, the Provisional Government was weak and
insufficient to render justice and protect the people. It was Polk's
desire that the Territorial Government should be organized with an
efficient head, during his administration, and to accomplish this
purpose he appointed Gen. Lane Governor on the 27th of August, 1848,
with instructions to proceed at once to Oregon. He reached Oregon City
(then capital) in 1849, and organized a Territorial Government the 3rd
day of March. In order to understand the true situation we must here
refer back to the massacre of the "Whitman family, and others, which
occurred in 1847, November, at Waiilatpu Mission, by the Cayuse
Indians. The massacre of Waiilatpu was the most atrocious
recorded in
the history of border life. Fourteen persons, including Dr. Whitman and
his noble wife, were shot down and then mutilated with the tomahawk.
The attendant horrors of the tragedy, if related in detail, would fill
a volume of horrors. The only excuse given for the massacre was that at
the time of the occurrence the measles was prevalent among the Indians,
and they supposed that its presence was owing to Dr. Whitman's evil
influence, and the doctor intended to kill them all and then take
possession of their lands. But this was no excuse for the horrible
torture perpetrated upon the female survivors and the innocent
children. Following this event was a general rupture with the Cayuse
and other Indians, with no decisive result. Before Gen. Lane arrived in
Oregon he had been apprised of the late massacre, and being a man of
strong and resolute mind, determined that those concerned in the affair
should receive justice. He made known his plans to no one, and when he
had effected the organization of the Territorial Government he set
about punishment of the criminals. It was necessary to secure
possession of those who were chief in the murders and their incitement.
The General communicated with the chiefs and warriors engaged in the
murder, and told them that war would be waged against them unless the
murderers were given up. Receiving no definite answer, Gen. Lane met
the chiefs and warriors at the Dalles, about midway between Oregon City
and the Waiilatpu Mission, where the Whitman massacre took place. Here
five Indian chiefs, not three, were surrendered, as stated by the "Army
Officer" in the Army
and Navy Journal--a
discrepancy of considerable importance. The names of these Indian
chiefs were: Te-lou-i-kite, Tam-a-has, Klok-a-mas, Ki-am-a-pump-kin and
Q-sa-i-a-cha-lakis. These Indians were taken to Oregon City, where they
were tried in court before a jury and convicted. The "Army Officer"
would have it understood that these Indians did not have a fair trial,
and that they were foredoomed. This is not true. They were defended by
able counsel, who were well paid for their services in behalf of the.
Indian chiefs. It is also untrue that these Indians were mistreated, as
Gen. Lane informs me they were under his especial care, and that they
were treated kindly and well provided for. The writer would have it
further understood that the execution of these savages was a judicial
murder, and those who were concerned in bringing them to trial have
long since been consigned to oblivion. Facts do not justify such [a]
conclusion. Not only does correct history show that the murderers of
Whitman had a fair trial, but also that those who were instrumental in
their conviction have been heard in the Senate of the United States,
and their memories are today treasured with a reverence and veneration.
That the motives of these men were not selfish, let facts speak. They
braved the hardships and deprivations of frontier life--leaving behind
them the comforts of a home--that a new empire might be established in
the Northwest. Was it selfish motives that prompted Gen. Lane to risk
his life that the murderers of Whitman might receive justice? I think
not. A nobler and better class of people never lived than those who
struggled to establish a sound government in Oregon, and every fact
goes to show that its establishment was not accomplished any too soon
for the protection of the settlers. Let him who writes history record
facts as they occurred, and not distort them in order to traduce the
memory of good and noble men. Gen. Lane is not the obscure old man
living on the Umpqua the "Army Officer" tells about, but an honored
citizen who receives an ovation from the people wherever he
goes, and
whose intellect is as clear and vigorous as most men in their prime. He
is the last Brigadier of the Mexican War, and his character and acts
show him to be a man of great mind and sound judgment. The same high
terms may be used in regard to Nesmith, Applegate, Minto, McLoughlin,
Thurston and others of the leading pioneers; but of these we may speak
hereafter.BY L. H. WELLS. ROSEBURG, ORE. Waukesha Freeman, Waukesha,
Wisconsin, January 22, 1880, page 2
Gen. Lane has gone to Portland, there to sit for his portrait to be painted by an artist employed to furnish paintings of distinguished citizens of the state. "Southern Oregon Notes," Douglas Independent, Roseburg, July 31, 1880, page 3 DEATH OF
JOSEPH LANE.
"How sleep the brave who sink to rest,
General
Lane is dead! The brave old soldier and genial gentleman is
no
more! The hero of many a hard-fought field and daring adventure has
lain down to rest!By all their country's wishes blest." He breathed his last at Roseburg at nine o'clock on the evening of the 19th instant, in the midst of his friends and descendants to the third generation. His illness has been of short duration, and his death may be characterized as simply the natural termination of his mortal life. For some weeks he has been satisfied that his end was drawing nigh, and has cheerfully and resignedly prepared himself for the event, and approached his grave-- "Like one that
draws the drapery of his couch
To his old friends and comrades throughout the country he has written
his kind farewells, and for some weeks his closing life and coming
death have colored the thoughts and conversation of many a household in
Oregon.About him, and lies down to pleasant dreams." Joseph Lane was born in Buncombe County, North Carolina, on December 14, 1801, and his life was almost coeval with that of the government of the United States. In his early life his father moved to Kentucky and thence to Indiana, where he lived until 1848, engaged much of the time in boating and trading to New Orleans. He was several times elected to the legislature of that state--the first time when he was scarcely of age. At the commencement of the Mexican War, he volunteered his services and was appointed a brigadier general, and afterwards was brevetted a major general. He distinguished himself at Buena Vista, where he was severely wounded. From thence to the close of the war he held a comparatively independent command, operating in central Mexico, during which time Lane's brigade became famous for its daring and activity, and he himself acquired the sobriquet of "the Marion of the Mexican War." Upon the passage of the bill--August 14, 1848--organizing Oregon Territory, Gen. Lane was selected by President Polk as a suitable person to entrust with the governorship of this then far-off and unknown country. At the urgent solicitation of the President he accepted the position and in the following winter crossed the continent to California, by the southern route, in company with Major Joe Meek and a small military escort, and reached Oregon City March 2, 1849--pulling an oar in his boat much of the way from Astoria. At Oregon City he was heartily welcomed by the people far and near, who saw in him and his presence the realization of their long-cherished but oft-deferred hope of congressional aid and protection. On March 3rd he wrote and published his proclamation announcing his arrival and set the machinery of the new government in motion on the very last day of his friend Polk's administration. The proclamation was printed by the late Gov. Curry, then editor and publisher of the Free Press. His career since then has been in Oregon and is well known to the early settlers. After 18 months of arduous duty in the gubernatorial office and as Superintendent of Indian Affairs, he resigned the office to his successor, and went to the mines of Northern California, where he worked as a miner during the winter of 1850-1. In 1851 he was triumphantly elected Delegate to Congress, where he was continued by successive reelections until the formation of the state government, when he was elected to the Senate--taking his seat in that body with the admission of the state into the Union, on February 14, 1859, where he remained until the expiration of his term, on March 3, 1861. From Washington he returned to Oregon, where he has lived ever since--most of the time in comparative retirement on his farm among the picturesque hills of the Umpqua. In 1860 he was on the Democratic Presidential ticket with Breckinridge for the office of Vice President. During the heated controversy which immediately preceded the War of the Rebellion, Gen. Lane was by nature, education and position an ardent friend of the South, and what he conceived to be its Constitutional rights, and took his share of the rancor and ill will which usually grow out of such contentions and conflicts. But these have been long since forgotten by him, and it is not often that one who has played so long and prominent a part in public affairs, in troublous times, goes down to his grave with more good will and regard than Joseph Lane of Oregon. In August 1853 there was a sudden and severe Indian outbreak in Rogue River which struck terror into the scattered mining camps and sparsely settled valley. As soon as the news reached the Umpqua, Gen. Lane left his unfinished home and hurried to the scene of action. There he organized a volunteer force and pursued the Indians into their mountain fastness and compelled an engagement on Battle Creek, on August 24th, which resulted in a permanent peace. In leading the charge, he was shot through the same shoulder that was wounded at Buena Vista. On the 11th day thereafter--Sunday, September 4th--the writer was present when the white and Indian chiefs, Joseph, the former with his arm in a sling, and the latter in a toga that would have done honor to a Roman senator, met on the side of the mountain over against Table Rock, in the presence of half a dozen white men and hundreds of Indians and agreed upon the terms of the treaty. Lane was emphatically a man of the people, and gave his life to their service with a devotion that few can feel or appreciate. With him politics was an honorable struggle for position and power for public ends and purposes, and not for private gain. Accordingly, he has lived honestly and died poor. In his intercourse with others self was always a secondary consideration, and he seldom failed to inspire a lasting regard for himself. A distinguished cavalry officer who served under him as a volunteer in Mexico has since said of him--"The men of his brigade loved him, and a tender chord could always be touched by speaking to them of him." When the history of this country is written, Oregon's first Senator must occupy a prominent place in it. He was a man of more than ordinary ability--generous and affable--brave and gallant--a lover of women and a friend of the helpless--and take him all in all we shall not soon look upon his like again. In his grave are buried the memories of the frailties incident to human nature and the asperities of life's hot conflicts, and the passage of time will brighten his name and enhance his renown. D.
Oregonian,
Portland, April 21, 1881, page 2 Matthew
P. Deady was the only white man present at the Table Rock
Treaty negotiations with that initial. In 1915 Fred Lockley
credited this obit to Deady. DEATH OF GENERAL LANE.
On Tuesday, April 19th, at 9
o'clock, General Joseph
Lane quietly breathed his last, and the spirit of one of
Oregon's greatest men took its flight. For nearly half a
century,
General Lane has been closely identified with the interest of our
state, and his name and public acts were familiar to all its
inhabitants. Probably no man has done more for the welfare of the state
or more enjoyed the respect and esteem of its people then he, and the
news of his death was received with universal sorrow. Ever forward in
his country's service, General Lane distinguished himself in
the
Mexican war and in the many Indian wars on the frontier, and carried to
his grave the scars received in many a hard-fought battle. He was
Oregon's first Governor and first Representative in Congress
before it became a state, and was first chosen to represent it in the
U.S. Senate after the state was admitted into the Union. General Lane
was born in Buncombe County, North Carolina, Dec. 14, 1801, and at the
time of his death nearly eighty years of age. He came to Oregon in the
spring of 1849, and has been a resident of the state ever since. His
funeral took place at Roseburg yesterday and was largely attended. He
had shortly before his death renounced the Catholic faith and was
buried by the Masonic fraternity, General J. W. Nesmith delivering the
funeral oration.Oregon State Journal, Eugene, April 23, 1881, page 5 A GREAT MAN DEAD.
All the land is in mourning for General Joe Lane, the hero of Buena
Vista, who crossed "the dark river" on the 19th. He had been gradually
sinking for many days, and his death was therefore not unexpected. His
mortal remains were deposited alongside those of his wife in the family
vault in the Masonic cemetery at Roseburg, in the presence of a vast
multitude, including many prominent men from every portion of the
state. All vied with each other in doing honor to the soldier, patriot
and statesman. Honorables John Whiteaker, J. W. Nesmith, A. Bush, R. B.
Cochrane, J. M. Thompson, J. F. Watson, and Messrs. Chas. Drain, J. J.
Comstock, J. Cox and J. D. Burnett acted as pallbearers, Mr. Nesmith
delivering an eloquent and touching oration over his departed friend.
Thus has another of the great and good men of the nation passed away,
one that has made Oregon's name famous in the sisterhood of states.
Universal and unaffected is the sorrow, for none knew him but to
venerate and love him. Farewell, dear friend, farewell!
Joseph Lane was born in North Carolina Dec. 14, 1801. In 1804 his father removed to Henderson County, Ky. The educational advantages of the son were meager. From early boyhood until he attained the age of 20 he was alternately employed in the office of the county clerk and in a dry goods store. In 1821 he married and settled on a farm in Vanderburgh County, Ind. The following year he was elected to the legislature. From that time he represented his adopted county in one branch or the other almost continuously for 25 years. When the war broke out with Mexico in 1846, he resigned his seat in the state senate and volunteered as a private soldier. His company with several others having assembled at New Albany, and formed a regiment, Mr. Lane was elected colonel. A few days afterward he received from President Polk a commission as brigadier-general. He immediately set out for the seat of war, in command of a regiment of Indiana volunteers, and in two weeks landed at the Brazos, and reported for duty. His brigade was assigned to Gen. Butler's division. At the battle of Buena Vista he commanded the left wing, and commenced the engagement by attacking a division of the Mexican army, numbering 5,000, commanded by Gen. Ampudia. In the course of the day he was wounded in the right arm, but remained on the field. In June, 1847, he went to New Orleans, where the Indiana regiments were disbanded. Returning to Gen. Taylor's line, he was ordered to join Gen. Scott. Landing at Vera Cruz Sept. 16, he set out for the city of Mexico in command of 3,000 men. On Oct. 9 he defeated Santa Anna at Huamantla. On the 19th he attacked a strong force of guerrillas at Atlixco, and took the place, losing but one man, while the loss of the enemy in killed and wounded was 500. On the 29th he broke up another guerrilla band at Tlascala. On Nov. 22 he took Matamoros, which was strongly fortified, capturing a large amount of ammunition and military stores; and on Dec. 14 he reached Gen. Scott's headquarters. On Jan. 15, 1848, he left the capital under orders to scour the country between Mexico and Vera Cruz, to rid it of guerrilla marauders. After an unsuccessful attempt to capture Santa Anna, who was at Tehuacan with 500 men, he took Orizaba, and was engaged in other successful partisan operations. On Feb. 17 he was sent out by Gen. Scott in pursuit of the robber chief Jarauta. On the 21st he reached Tulancingo, where Gen. Paredes barely escaped capture. On the 24th he came up to Jarauta at Tehualtaplan, and a fierce fight ensued, in which Jarauta was wounded but succeeded in making his escape. This was the last fighting during the war. Gen. Lane for his gallant services in Mexico was brevetted a major-general. In August, 1848, he was appointed governor of Oregon Territory, and reached Oregon City in March, 1849. He continued to discharge the duties of governor until August, 1850, when he was removed by President Taylor. In 1851 he was elected territorial delegate to Congress. He was successively reelected as a delegate until Oregon was admitted into the Union as a state in 1859, when he was chosen U.S. Senator. On March 2, 1861, he made his famous speech in Congress on the right of the South to secede from the Union. He was nominated for Vice President on the national ticket with John C. Breckinridge by the Baltimore Democratic Convention of 1860. On his return to Oregon in 1861 General Lane retired from active participation in either state or national politics. Last year he was nominated for state senator by the Democracy of Douglas County and took as active part in the state campaign as his old age would permit, making several speeches. His defeat weighed heavily on his mind and pride. He was the last surviving general of the Mexican War. General Lane leaves a very large relationship in various portions of the state, all honored citizens. His youngest son, Lafayette Lane, ably represented Oregon for one term in Congress. Democratic Times, Jacksonville, April 29, 1881, page 2 GEN. JOSEPH LANE died at his home in Roseburg, Oregon, last week, in the 80th year of his age. He was a native of North Carolina, and when only fifteen years old went to Indiana when that state was comparatively a wilderness. He participated in the Mexican War and was appointed a brigadier general by President Polk. In 1849 he was appointed Governor of Oregon Territory, and when she became a state in [1859] he was elected to the United States Senate and served until 1861. In 1860 he was a candidate for Vice President on the ticket with John C. Breckinridge. He was not a great man, but he bore himself honestly and without reproach in all the public stations he filled, and was regarded as a fine type of the rough and hardy pioneers who grow up amidst the difficulties and trials of life on the western frontier. The Cambrian Freeman, Ebensburg, Pennsylvania, April 29, 1881, page 2 GEN. JOSEPH LANE.
The
brief dispatch announcing the death of Joseph Lane, which came from
Oregon a day or two since, can have but very little significance for
the great majority of the people who read it. Yet the man to whom it
related was at one time one of the foremost figures in the republic.
Had he died thirty years ago the nation would have gone into mourning
for him, yet so fleeting is fame in our country that the present
generation scarcely recalls his name and knows next to nothing of his
most eventful history. Joseph Lane's grandfather was an American, born
near the present site of Raleigh, N.C., in the early colonial times. He
and his two brothers did good service during the War of the
Revolution. His son, John Lane, the father of Joseph, was at the battle
of King's Mountain and served in the patriot army until the surrender
of Cornwallis at Yorktown. He voted for George Washington for President
and lived to see Jackson in the same office. The son of this old
soldier was born in North Carolina in 1801. Early in life he went to
Indiana. Later he became a power in the politics of the West. When the
Mexican War broke out he was one of the first to go to the front, and
by hard fighting and distinguished bravery won his way to a major
generalship. Returning to his home, all Indiana united in doing him
honor, and later on President Polk, in slight recognition of his
services, made him Governor of the Territory of Oregon, to which place
he was reappointed by President Pierce. In 1852 he had thirteen votes
in the national [Democratic] convention which nominated Cass for
President and at one time during that memorable meeting seemed almost
sure of the nomination. As old William Allen used in after years to
relate, "Joe Lane came nearer being President than any man who ever
missed." But though he missed the Presidency, he did not lose influence
with his party. In 1859 he was elected to the United States Senate from
the new State of Oregon. He sympathized with the South in the struggle
then pending, and later was nominated for Vice President on the ticket
with Breckinridge. He carried eleven of the slave states, but was
buried out of sight in the free North. Little has been heard of him
since. He spent the last years of his life in his favorite Oregon.--New York Times.
The Union Republican, Winston-Salem, North Carolina, May 5, 1881, page 2 LANE, Joseph, born December, 1801, in North Carolina; died April 19, 1881, in Oregon, aged eighty years. In 1802 his father settled in Kentucky, and in 1821 Mr. Joseph Lane became a resident of Indiana. His talents and ability were so marked that in one year after his settlement in the state he was sent to the legislature, and, in one house or the other, continued to serve until 1846. He then resigned his seat in the state senate, and at the head of an Indiana regiment went to the Mexican War. After a time he was appointed brigadier general, and at the famous battle of Buena Vista commanded the left wing of the American army. After his recovery from a wound received in that battle, he returned to the army, and defeated Santa Anna at Huamantla, following up the victory shortly afterward with the capture of important posts. On the 22nd of November, 1847, he took the town of Matamoros, with a quantity of military stores. At the end of the war he was brevetted major general, and in August, 1848, was appointed by President Polk Governor of Oregon, from which office he was removed by President Taylor. On the admission of Oregon into the Union he was made United States Senator, and in 1860 was put on the same presidential ticket with John C. Breckinridge, being the nominee of one of the wings of the Democracy for Vice President. His defeat ended his prominent political career. Though he bore so illustrious a part in the war with Mexico, the gratitude of his country was never manifested by a pension or other mark of sympathy, and only a year before his death he declined an invitation to attend a reunion of Mexican veterans, because he was too poor to make the journey. With the modest dignity of true self-reverence he accepted his obscure old age in the Oregon village, where he calmly passed away from the scenes and affairs amid which he had long endeavored to make his life useful to his fellow men. Appleton's Annual Cyclopedia of 1881, page 475 JOE LANE OF OREGON.
Joaquin Miller in San
Francisco Chronicle.Joaquin Miller's Tribute to His Life. "The Marion of the Mexican War"--His Love of Peace and Letters--- The Poet's First Teacher. I do not know where Gen. Lane was born. I do not care. This unimportant fact can be found in almost any book of biographies, however. In truth, the place of a man's birth or death, the date of these events, are of the least consequence. The world is so full, the histories are so filled with illustrious names that one who attempts to remember the dates of their birth, death and so on is in danger of becoming a mere catalogue. I doubt, indeed, if it is important to remember a man's name except insofar as it stands out as an expression signifying some great example of virtue or of valor. These example by the wayside of life as we walk on, lifting up like a cross on an altar in a dark night with a lamp burning--these are what serve us, light us, do us good. We need the light. We do not really need to know even the name of the saint, much less the date of his birth or death. Lane first came to the surface in Congress, from Indiana. [Lane as a young man served in the Indiana state legislature, not Congress.] He next volunteered as a private soldier in the most unnecessary war with our neighbor republic. We soon hear of him as a general. He is named "the Marion of the Mexican War" in the dispatches of the commander of the American armies. Of course this application was a bit of affectation, if not downright falsehood, on the part of those seeking to build a pedestal of glory for themselves on the inglorious battlefields of Mexico. I only mention the circumstance as indicating that this man from the Wabash wilds probably did his duty. I would prefer, however, to omit all this bloody business of unhappy Mexico from his life. It is some apology for the part he took in the conquest to say that he was then young, unread and had not at all attained to that larger growth and development that widened, refined and made beautiful his life when I knew and loved him in his maturity. Aye, small glory indeed for any man who took part in the murder of those gallant Mexicans who fell defending their capital. Small glory, even shame and oblivion, for those who instituted this brutal war of invasion. Let our historians make its page as brief as possible, that our children may forget it Soon after returning from this war Gen. Lane was sent out to us in the territory of Oregon as its governor. He located and settled on a ranch in the Umpqua Valley, in the central part of what is now the state of Oregon, built a cabin and with his own hands plowed and planted and reaped his new fields like any other farmer and settler in the wild remote West. Here it was, I should say, his soul was born and began to grow. In this vast solitude, this isolation and solemnity of his cabin home, with wife and children only, for weeks and months at a time, going to the little village called the capital only once about every two years, this germ of greatness, the soul that was in [him] began to grow and glow and to be beautiful. And it grew from this date on steadily and upward, as a growing flower to the date of his death, more than a quarter of a century later, near the same isolated spot in the great Indian war that swept the land from Northern California to British America this man, who had come to abhor war, was compelled to leave his little home and lead us in battle. It was a desperate time. Even my Quaker, peace-loving father, who had never fired a gun in his life, I believe, was enrolled as a soldier and shouldered not a gun but an ox whip, and drove away for the war. I, a mere lad, lay wounded under the trees, when an express rode by and gave the glad news that Gen. Lane was coming at the head of all Oregon in arms. I never saw such enthusiasm. He was loved, adored, deified. Battle Rock, the most magnificent natural fortress ever seen--a natural castle--was another lava beds. But it was carried by storm, and the plucky Oregonians soon floated the stars and stripes on the summit of this wonderful battlement and Gen. Lane went back to his plow. [Lane was unaware of Battle Rock, besieged while he was in Southern Oregon in 1851. Miller was wounded some time later in California.] But the mature and entirely thoughtful man had even more time to read, reflect and philosophize now than before. For besides other wounds, his right arm had been badly shot and for a long time he could neither swing his ax nor follow the plow. [The wound referred to Lane received in 1853.] When Oregon became a state, Lane, as a matter of course, was sent back to the federal capital as Senator, and right here, it seems to me, began that real understanding that followed him to the end and induced the writing of this sketch. Lane found, after long years of absence, the southern element dominant as before. He found it more than dominant; he found it domineering, insolent. But he kept with the South, not for policy, but for peace. Southern Senators, southern ladies, flattered, petted and praised this man from the far Oregon, called him "the Marion of the Mexican War," than which nothing could now be more distasteful, for his soul had grown to despise all that, and they insisted in placing this peaceful and peace-loving Oregon farmer at the head of affairs. It is to be frankly admitted, however, he gradually, and finally gracefully, yielded to this policy. And at last, when he was named as the possible Democratic nominee for President, I regret to confess that he laid aside his grandeur like a garment and went down into the arena a gladiator. But his was no brutal fight or unfair one. I invite attention to this fact, and if any man in this republic can put his finger on an unclean spot of this man's senatorial robes from the day he put them on till his defeat as the regular Democratic nominee for Vice President and his final retirement, let it be done now. How it sets one to thinking, wondering at the freaks of fate, to sweep the mind back over those stormy days and see Ben Butler, even then the chiefest, the stormiest, the ugliest and most contentious figure, indeed, in all Charleston. It would open the floodgates of contention too widely to more than refer to Lane's position on the great issues of his time. I can only insist that it was for peace, peace, all the time peace, and yet all the tine the belligerent and I regret to say even offensive South kept posing him for a hero of war; this man, who all the time offered peace and love and amity for all, who all the time wanted to get back to his plow and his pine woods of Oregon. My letters from him at this time breathe but this one thought. He wanted to get back, get out of it all and sit under the oaks and read Plutarch and Marcus Aurelius. This was the ambition, the desire of Gen. Joseph Lane at the time he was a candidate for Vice President of the United States, being deified by one party, disemboweled by the other. I am compelled to speak of myself somewhat now to show my connection with this great and good man and how I came to know him well--better than any other man now living, perhaps. I may also say literally this man taught me to read. He certainly taught me to read the books above named, along with perhaps a dozen well-thumbed masters, which he knew so well that if I misread a single word as we lay under the oaks--I reading, he lying on his back, and looking up at the birds--he would correct me. I know there is a vague impression that General Lane was an ignorant man. Well, I am not learned enough to be good authority, but I have mixed with many educated men since, and I am bound to say, so far as I can judge, he was the best-read man I have ever yet met with. His letters are the most perfect in all respects I have ever received. He wrote in the old-fashioned, full, round style, every letter like print, not even a comma missing in letters of the greatest length. Using the simplest Saxon, he always said much in little--a duty of every writer of everything. In the spring of 1862 I returned from Idaho to my parents in Lane County, Ore., with a few thousand dollars, and found my old friend had not an advocate in all his state. I never knew such unpopularity. They were even proposing to change the name of Lane County. An enterprising young man, Anthony Noltner, had started a little paper here, and into this I threw my money, became its editor, and was at once dubbed by the press as "Joe Lane's boy." And I fought for my dear old friend from that day till our paper was meanly and maliciously suppressed by the government, with all the might that was in me. Gen. Lane, meantime, hated, hooted at, despised, returned to Oregon, and, while crossing the California mountains on his way home, was accidentally shot through the breast. [Lane traveled south from Portland and was wounded in the Calapooias. "California" is likely the "correction" of the Indiana editor or typesetter.] He reached home, however, and lay nearly a year on his back, The roar of war filled the ears of the world at the time, and bigger events overshadowed him and his troubles. But he did not care greatly for himself at any time. His letters of this period are full of pity for the North and for the South; large and human pity, such as you find in Plutarch or Virgil when they speak of another age than their own. I visited him when again on his feet, and I recall with pleasure the fact that the now old man was full of strength and content. On the day he was sixty-five he and his son, since a member of Congress, went out shooting and I saw the old Senator bring in a seven-pronged buck on his shoulders. Ten years later, on my return from Europe, I sought him out. "He lives three miles east and four miles perpendicular now," said one of his sons, pointing up the mountains. Poverty had driven him from his rancho in the valley. I found this old man, now approaching eighty years, felling a tree in front of his little log cabin. He came forward, ax in hand, to meet me, his aged wife shading her eyes with a lifted hand as she looked from the cabin door, wondering what stranger could possibly have climbed this mountain to their humble hermitage. And what a talk we had; how he wanted to know all about Europe, a world he had never seen, but which he knew so well. How interested he was in my work, patting me on the head and calling me his own boy, believing in me entirely, bidding me to go with God's blessing; to be good, to be great if I could, but be good always. And here on this mountaintop, with the companion of his bosom for more than fifty years, the sun of this old Roman senator's life went down. Nothing was said of him at his death, for no one knew him in his life. I lay this handful of leaves on my dear dead. It is all I have to give; I, a robin, bring leaves for one who was lost in the woods, one who lay down alone and unknown and died in the wilderness of this life. He lived frugally and died poor, while others lived extravagantly and grew rich. Not a dollar of this nation's money ever found its way to this simple and sincere man's pocket. He died not in want, for his children are well to do, but poor; very poor and very pure, as he had lived. And in conclusion I perhaps should add that Gen. Joseph Lane never contributed, or was ever expected to contribute, one dollar towards the support of "Lane's organ," while edited by "Joe Lane's boy." His enemies finally induced the suppression of the paper with the purpose of injuring him. But let me add here that every dollar sacrificed by that malicious and unnecessary act was two young men's money, earned mostly in the mines of Idaho, by the hand that pens this tribute. Fort Wayne Daily Gazette, May 13, 1883, page 3 NOT ILLITERATE.--According to Joaquin Miller, General Joseph Lane, years ago a United States Senator from Oregon, so far from being the illiterate person his political enemies described, was one of the best-read men he ever met. He taught him to read Plutarch and Marcus Aurelius and a dozen other classics. General Lane knew them so well, adds Joaquin, "that if I misread a single word as we lay under the oaks--he looking up at the birds--he would correct me. He wrote in the old-fashioned, full, round style, every letter like print, not even a comma missing in letters of the greatest length. Using the simplest Saxon, he always said much in little--a duty of every writer of everything." The only specification of Lane's illiteracy was that he \"spelled god with a little 'g.' " The Carolina Mountaineer, Morganton, North Carolina, August 18, 1883, page 3 ROSS-LANE WEDDING.--Lewis G. Ross, of Jacksonville, son of Col. John E. Ross, was married on the 18th to Miss Ida Lane, daughter of Joseph Lane, of Lakeview, and granddaughter of Gen. Joseph Lane. The bride has many friends in this county, where she formerly lived, who extend to her and her husband their best wishes for a long life full of unalloyed happiness. Roseburg Review, May 29, 1885, page 3 . . . Lane was one of the most popular men, if not the most popular, who ever inhabited Oregon. The people were impressible, and Lane knew them all and could tell a lot of good stories. Some of his narratives were cunning fabrications made to fit the occasion. In the art of flattery for political effect he could have had no peer. In short, he was exactly adapted to achieve office among a rude frontier people. This tells how he captured the good will of two ladies: JO
LANE
AND THE POT OF BEANS.
Traveling through
Douglas County, while stumping the state in 1855, he sought
accommodation for the night at a house inhabited by a simple but
hospitable woman, who placed before the gallant gentleman a dish of
baked beans as the piece
de
resistance of
the supper. After partaking of them, the visitors said insinuatingly:
"My very dear friend and madam, would you be so very obliging as to
give me, if you please, a cupful of your uncooked beans? I have never,
never seen or tasted any so good, and I shall take it as a very great
favor if you will so oblige me, for I am very desirous that my wife
shall next year be able to cook beans as good as yours." He got his
beans, and at the next halting-place regaled another and equally
impressible female with this delicious flattery: "My dear madam, it
does my heart good to see you! I have been in Washington City
representing the good people of this Territory in the halls of
Congress. But although I was kept exceedingly busy in attending to the
welfare of my people and in making laws for them, I did not, my dear
madam, forget you! To show you that I remembered you when in the midst
of the gay capital, I will tell you that I dined, just before leaving
Washington, with the President of the nation. We had a grand dinner at
the White House, and among other things we had beans. I said to the
President's wife: 'Dear madam, I have a friend in Oregon who is a
notable cook. I would like to beg for her a few of your beans, for I
know she loves beans.' She said yes, and she gave me these beans,
madam, which I hope you will plant and raise a crop, and give me a few
when I come this way again." And hereupon the gay old deceiver pulls
out and presents the identical package of beans he had sponged from the
other lady!Such tactics, such play upon the credence of inexperienced people, had their reward. The hero of Huamantla was elected in June by a vote of 6178 to 8943. Lane had majorities in all the counties save two, Columbia and Washington, where the Know-Nothing element was strongest. Such was the elation of the Democracy that their papers immediately began to speak of Lane as a likely candidate for the Presidency, to succeed Pierce. "Early Oregon" Notes of the Days of Pioneer Webfoot Journalism," Oregonian, Portland, November 22, 1885, page 3 A JUST TRIBUTE.--Ashland Tidings: Deputy Internal Revenue Collector Barlow, of Gold Hill, and his daughter Miss Nellie left for Spokane the first of last week to visit Mr. Barlow's aged mother, who is seriously ill at the home of her daughter at that place. Mrs. Barlow is the oldest daughter of the late Gen. Joseph Lane. She came with her husband to Oregon in 1852, at the time Gen. Lane removed his family to this state. The Barlow family settled in Siuslaw Valley in Lane County, where they raised a large family. At the death of Mr. Barlow, which occurred several years ago, Mrs. Barlow gave up housekeeping and since resided with her children, who are all married and living at various points on the Pacific Coast. Mrs. Barlow will be remembered by Oregon pioneers as a most estimable and exemplary woman, and the many all over the state who often shared the hospitality of her pioneer home will extend their deepest sympathy in her sickness, trusting that it "may not be unto death," and that she may be numbered a few years longer with the fast-passing Oregon pioneers. Daily Eugene Guard, April 10, 1895, page 1 He had a remarkable ability for recalling faces, and was rarely unable to call a man by name; however, he is remembered to have extended his hand to a Mr. Vineyard and addressed him as "Mr. Grapevine." The man, who was somewhat humorous, replied: "You belittle me, General, I am a whole Vineyard." Hanna Wollenberg, "General Joseph Lane," Oregon Teachers Monthly, June 1902, page 24 Joe Lane's Treaty Tree.
It is a matter for regret that the landmarks of early Oregon history
have not been better preserved. Features whose interest would increase
with the years have been suffered to be destroyed through ignorance or
indifference. In 1853 there was some trouble with the Rogue River
Indians, though the war did not occur until two years later. In 1853
General "Joe" Lane, whose name is inseparably connected with the
history of Oregon, made a treaty with the Rogue River Indians on a spot
which is now included within the present city limits of Grants Pass. He
met the Indians under a black oak tree on Rogue River, just above the
"White Rocks." Oldtimers are still able to point out the stump of this
tree, but the tree itself has been cut down and sawed into stove wood
in these latter years, probably by some man who never heard of Joe Lane.Democratic Times, Jacksonville, July 15, 1903, page 1 During the year 1904 I was the editor of the Daily Statesman, and each Sunday morning I would reprint extracts from the Statesman just fifty years before. It proved a very interesting department, not only to the old-timers, but to the newer residents, who marveled at the nature of the political contests of long ago. To "dig up" this stuff for the Sunday paper proved a very fascinating pastime each Saturday afternoon. One day I ran across an article which roasted General Joseph Lane to a finish, the latter distinguished gentleman and Mr. Bush, though both were Democrats, having broken their political friendship because of their difference of opinion on the slavery question [That is not at all clear.], the bad feeling being accentuated, to be sure, by the natural action of local strifes and ambitions through a period of ten years' scrapping. Lane had written a letter which had greatly displeased Mr. Bush, and as the old General had a confirmed habit of showing his utter indifference to the rules laid down by the man who had invented spelling [Lane's spelling was excellent], the brilliant and ebullient editor not only applied his battery of ridicule to the subject matter of the Lane letter, but printed it with its original arrangement of the alphabet unchanged. It made "mighty interestin' reading," and I reprinted an extract from it of such liberal dimensions that its encroachment upon "valuable space" was entirely ignored. The next day I met Mr. Bush in front of his bank and he accosted me with a frown which seldom accompanies an inward feeling of hilarity. "Say," he remarked, "why do you reprint those extracts from the Statesman so long ago that most people have forgotten the matters they tell about?" "Why not?" I inquired. "Important history was being made in those days, and people living now are glad to know how it was made and who the chief actors were." "Yes," he replied, "but that extract you published yesterday about Jo. Lane should not have been reproduced. Lane was a pretty good man, after all, and we were living in exciting times and many things were said that it would have been just as well to have [been] left unuttered." "No doubt," I said, "but the same may be said of most men who have figured in the history of most countries. It is likely that Blaine, in after years, would have been glad to suppress the ebullition of satire he fired at Conkling while they were both members of the lower House of Congress, but the history of the United States would be crippled in one of its most important chapters if it failed to give the fullest details of that red-hot verbal engagement between two of the most renowned forensic gladiators America has ever known." But this didn't satisfy Mr. Bush--he never surrenders an opinion nor has he ever been known to acknowledge a conversion. His reply was: "Yes, but Lane has many descendants living now in all parts of Oregon, and the publication of these things will make them mad--they won't like it." "That may be," I insisted, "but there is a bare possibility that General Lane and his relatives didn't approve of the articles at the time you first printed them, and certainly they cared more about the matter and were entitled to more consideration at that time than his descendants are now." To this Mr. Bush replied that they all, perhaps, went too far in the excitement of the campaign, when everybody was striving for the ascendancy in the new territory, and that he was "younger then than now." The fact was that in after years, when they were both old men and had permanently retired from the activities of public life, Bush and Lane renewed their earlier friendship and often laughed at the bitterness which characterized the contests in which they had engaged. General Lane, of whom more will be said in this volume later, was twenty-two years older than Mr. Bush and died in 1881, aged eighty years. But the veteran editor and banker still lives in Salem at the advanced age of eighty-eight years, attends to his office business every day, maintains his cheerful disposition, takes a deep interest in current events, has but little use for many of the modern innovations in the forms of government, and quite recently remarked that, after all, in his opinion, the people of Oregon were fully as well governed when the "Salem Clique" was in the saddle as now. Mr. Bush is a very cultured gentleman of the old school. He still wears the tall standing collar of the old-time gentlemen of antebellum days, and has worn precisely the same style of hat for forty years without change--always new and becoming, totally unlike that ever worn by any other man, since no other man has been able to discover where it is obtained. He has the respect of all the people of this region, and his name will remain among the first on the remarkable list of brave and ambitious men who managed the public affairs of Oregon during the formative period of its existence, in the decade immediately preceding the Civil War. He was a Douglas Democrat, upheld the cause of the Union during the Rebellion, and was seriously considered by President Cleveland, at the time of his second inauguration, as a proper man to appoint Secretary of the Treasury. Theodore Thurston Geer, Fifty Years in Oregon, 1912, pages 82-84 IN EARLIER DAYS
At the Oregon Historical Society among the books relating to our
early history as a state are the original records of all the orders
issued to and by General Joseph Lane, grandfather of Senator Harry
Lane, during the Mexican War. In looking over the faded writing of the
court martial records one secures an excellent idea of the strictness
of military discipline in those days. Here, for example, is what happen
to Nelson Hart of General Lane's Indiana regiment for selling his boots
to a Mexican:By Fred Lockley "It is the order of this court that he be fined $6 and made to carry a 40-pound sack of sand from relief to retreat for six days." It was also ordered that George Munson for being drunk on duty should forfeit his pay for three months and wear an iron collar weighing 14 pounds for three months. For certain minor offenses some of the soldiers were sentenced to ride a wooden horse for three days and to be paraded each day on the wooden horse before the regiment. William Donovan, a Texas ranger, was sentenced to wear a placard marked "Shirking Duty" for ten days and to carry a 40-pound bag of sand for the same period. At considerable length the case of William Lucas is set forth as follows: "Specifications: In this, that the said Private William Lucas on or about October 16, 1847, did say to Lieutenant Fitzgerald, officer of the day, in the presence of the guard and the prisoners: 'All the officers of this command are cowards, for when an attack from the Mexican lancers was expected they hid behind the bushes and told the soldiers to go ahead.' The charge against William Lucas is utter worthlessness, and the additional specifications are: The said William Lucas, by his conduct and failure to discharge the duties of a soldier of the United States army, is utterly worthless, and the court does therefore sentence Private William Lucas to be transported to the Castle of San Juan de Ulloa, there to be kept at hard labor with a chain and ball weighing 24 pounds attached to his legs during the period of his enlistment and at the expiration of his enlistment he is to have his head shaved and be drummed out of the service and forfeit all right to bounty and pension." An order dated "Headquarters of the army, City of Mexico, September 21, 1847, general orders No. 294," reads as follows: "Before this court was tried Sergeant James Bannan, Company G, Fifth Infantry, charged with mutinous conduct and drunkenness on guard. Plea: Not guilty. Sentence: The court finds the prisoner guilty as charged and sentences him to be shot to death, two-thirds of the court concurring therein." Here is another: "General orders No. 283. Headquarters of the Army, Tacubaya, September 10, 1847.--Proceedings of general court martial, of which Brevet Colonel Garland, Fourth Infantry, is president. Before the said court were severally tried and convicted in due form upon charges of desertion the following named 36 prisoners. The court sentences each to be hung by the neck till he be dead." Before the same court Martin Miles of Company A, Eighth Infantry, and Abraham Fitzpatrick of the same company and regiment were duly tried and convicted of desertion, and the court sentences them to be shot to death. Before the same court were duly tried and convicted of desertion the following prisoners: James Kelly, Company C, Third Infantry; John Murphy, Company C, Eighth Infantry; John Little, Company C, Second Dragoons. The court sentences each of the above "to receive 50 lashes well laid on with a rawhide on his bare back, to forfeit all pay and allowances, to be indelibly marked (with hot iron) on right hip with the letter 'D' two inches in length, to wear an iron yoke weighing eight pounds with three prongs each one foot long around his neck while the army remains in Mexico, to be confined at hard labor, and when the army leaves Mexico to have his head shaved and be drummed out of the service." On account of extraordinary circumstances the sentences of some of the men were changed from "being hung till dead' to "being shot to death." John Daly also received mercy as the following order shows: "On account of mitigating circumstances in the case of John Daly of the rifle regiment, sentence of death is commuted to the following: To receive 50 lashes well laid on with a rawhide whip, to be branded on the cheek with the letter 'D' and to be drummed out of the service. By command of Major General Scott. H. L. Scott, A.A.A. General [Acting Assistant Adjutant General]." It is quite evident that in the days of our first Mexican War they didn't believe in moral suasion. Oregon Journal, Portland, May 24, 1914, page B4 IN EARLIER DAYS
General Joseph Lane, Oregon's first territorial governor,
succeeded Governor George Abernethy, the provisional governor.
President Polk, knowing that Oregon was to be admitted as a territory
shortly, used every effort to have it admitted as a territory before
his term as President expired. He picked out Joseph Lane of Indiana
for governor, Kintzing Pritchett of Pennsylvania for secretary,
William T. Bryant of Indiana as chief justice, Peter H. Burnett of
Oregon and James Turney of Illinois as associate justices, I. W. B.
Bromley of New York as federal attorney, Joseph L. Meek of Oregon as
marshal, T. Adair of Kentucky as collector of customs. Peter Burnett
was more interested in California gold fields than in being
associate justice, so he declined the appointment, and William
Strong of Ohio was given the place. Isaac Bromley also declined and
Amory Holbrook of New York was given his place.By Fred Lockley General Lane was born in North Carolina on December 14, 1801. He was brought up in Kentucky, and when 19 years old he was married, moving to Indiana the same year. At the breaking out of the Mexican War, he helped raise a company of volunteers in Indiana. He was chosen captain, later promoted to colonel; was wounded in one of the battles, and for his gallantry and ability was made brigadier general. He received his commission as governor of Oregon on August 18, 1848. With Joseph L. Meek he at once started for Oregon, and after many hardships and the desertion of practically all of his military escort, who went to the gold fields of California, he reached Oregon on March 3, 1849, one day before the expiration of President Polk's term of office. The census which he took shortly after arriving in Oregon showed that he was governor over 8785 Americans and 290 foreigners. Learning that President Zachary Taylor had appointed Major John P. Gaines as governor of Oregon, General Lane resigned, his resignation taking effect on June 18, 1850. He at once went to the California gold fields. On June 2, 1851, General Lane was elected Oregon's delegate to Congress. On May 16, 1853, he was appointed governor of Oregon by President Franklin Pierce. He qualified as governor and served three days, being asked by the Democratic Party in Oregon to run as candidate for delegate to Congress. He resigned his governorship after three days and was elected to Congress on June 6, 1853. Before going to Washington to assume the duties of delegate to Congress, he went as brigadier general of Oregon's volunteer forces to Southern Oregon to settle the Indian troubles. General Lane was reelected to Congress in 1855 and 1857. On July 8, 1858, General Lane was elected as one of Oregon's first United States Senators. He took his seat in the United States Senate on February 14, 1859. In 1860, while still United States Senator from Oregon, he was nominated for Vice President of the United States on the Democratic ticket, John C. Breckinridge being the Democratic nominee for President. He died in April 1881, at the age of 80 years, having served Oregon faithfully and well in many capacities. Oregon Journal, Portland, November 19, 1914, page 8 IN EARLY DAYS
Mrs. L. F. Mosher of 314 Sherman Street is one of two surviving
children of General Joseph Lane, Oregon's first territorial governor.
"My father, Joseph Lane, was born on December 14, 1801 in Buncombe
County, North Carolina," said Mrs. Mosher. "He learned his letters from
the old family Bible. His grandmother, Winifred Aycock, who was an
educated English woman, gave him his first knowledge of letters. He
never had but four months' schooling. He had to walk four miles to
school through the cane brake. It was a private subscription school. As
Father had to build the fire and sweep the schoolhouse, he had to start
for school at daybreak. He swept with a broom made of split splints.By Fred Lockley "By the time he was 17 years of age, he was deputy clerk of the court under Nathaniel Hart. Nathaniel Hart had married a Lane, and so was a relative of my father's. When my father was 19 years old, he married a young widow, who was also 19. Her maiden name was Polly Pier, and she had married one of the Hart boys, who had died within a year of their marriage. My mother was born in Kentucky. "Before my father was 21 years of age he was elected to the Indiana legislature, and he served continuously in the legislature for the next 22 years. My father and mother had 10 children. All of us grew up, all have married and all of us have had children. Their first child was born when my father and mother were 20 years old. They named her Melissa. She afterward married Mr. Barlow. Their next child was Nathaniel Hart Lane. He was well known by all old pioneers in Oregon. My nephew, Dr. Harry Lane, now United States Senator, is his son. Ratcliff Boon Lane was their next child. Then came Joseph Samuel Lane. Their next child was a girl, who was named Mary Virginia. The next child was named Simon Robert, and he and I are the only two children still alive. My brother John, or to give him his proper title, Colonel John Lane, died last Christmas near Lapwai, Idaho. He was colonel of artillery in the Confederate service, going from Oregon to serve under General Robert E. Lee. Sarah Emily Lane was the next child, and then came John. I was the next child. They named me Winifred, which is an old family name. Their last child was named Lafayette. As you know, he was a member of Congress from Oregon. I was born on January 21, 1840. "My father moved from Kentucky to Indiana when he was 4 years old. All of us children were born in Indiana, just across the Ohio River from Kentucky. Living on the Ohio River, my father became an expert riverman. He and two of his boys eventually became river pilots. All of our produce was taken by flatboat to New Orleans by Father or the older boys. They marketed their live hogs, live cattle, corn and dressed hogs in New Orleans. New Orleans always seems like home to me, for we spent many of our winters there. Father also ran a woodyard on the river, supplying river steamers with wood. The wood was stacked on a flatboat, and the up-river steamers would hitch onto the flatboat, tow it along, and load from the flatboat to the steamer to prevent delay. The flatboat would then be released and it would float down to the woodyard. Seeing the profit there was in the business, Father and another man put $50,000 in a steamboat. The boat made two trips and blew up. In those days people didn't insure things as they do today, so Father lost all the money he put in. "The first thing I remember distinctly was the election of President Polk. Father was a good public speaker, and often spoke. Everyone was talking then of "54-40 or fight." The first speech of my father's that I remember was the one he made at the opening of the Evansville & Terre Haute railroad. They had a big barbecue and we went to the celebration in a hack. There were only a few miles of railroad built. The coaches were small, the roadbed was rough and the engine was a little old-fashioned engine with a very large smokestack. We took a ride of a few miles on the railroad. That was my first ride on a railroad. In Father's speech, I remember he talked about the wonderful country beyond the Rockies, Oregon. "As a girl, I went to a subscription school near our home. Later I went to Washington City, where I attended school. I remember distinctly when my father came home from the Mexican War. He had been wounded by a musket ball through his shoulder. All of the time he was home there was a constant succession of serenades and receptions given to him. My father enlisted as a private for the Mexican War in Captain Walker's company. The men in the regiment elected him colonel without his having solicited the honor. He was soon appointed brigadier general. Two weeks later he had his brigade ready for service on the Brazos. My father had charge of the left wing of the battle of Buena Vista on February 23, 1847. The Mexican General Ampudia, with over 4000 Mexican infantry and lancers, attacked the left wing. With my father there were less that 400 men, but they stood off the Mexicans until Jefferson Davis, with his Mississippi regiment, came to their help. Not long thereafter the brigade was ordered to New Orleans to be mustered out." Oregon Journal, Portland, February 15, 1915, page 6 IN EARLY DAYS
"My father was wounded at the battle of Buena Vista," said Mrs. L.
F. Mosher of Portland, the daughter of General Joseph Lane, Oregon's
first territorial governor. "He came home on a brief furlough. He was
soon transferred to General Scott's army. He went to Vera Cruz, and two
days later, on September 19, 1847, with a small command he started on a
trip through the interior. Within the next two months he had fought
seven battles. Towards the middle of November he fought a battle with
General Torrejon and General Rea. The Mexicans had been on a raid and
had captured a wagon train of 36 wagonloads of goods. My father's
command recaptured these and restored them to the merchants at Pueblo
and Mexico City. Most of the merchants were British citizens, and in
appreciation of my father's action they presented him with a beautiful
gold-mounted sword. For the next few months my father operated against
the guerrilla bands in Mexico, breaking up or capturing most of the
robber bands.By Fred Lockley "He came home to Indiana on August 1, 1848. A few weeks later he was notified he had been appointed governor of Oregon. He received his commission on August 28, and three days later he reported at St. Louis. From there he went to Fort Leavenworth to secure a military escort. He left Fort Leavenworth on September 10, which was very late in the season for crossing the plains. Joe Meek, the newly appointed marshal of Oregon, accompanied him. When they reached the Rio Grande they ran into a snow storm which lasted eight days. From there they traveled south for nearly three weeks, until they reached Santa Cruz, in Sonora. When they reached the Gila seven of the men deserted. They sent two of the men back to capture the deserters, but the deserters waylaid them, killing both of them. A little later five more men, with a corporal, deserted. Eventually what was left of the party reached San Diego. From San Diego they came to San Francisco, where all but one or two of the escort deserted for the mines. "At San Francisco they took a small brig, the Jannett, which had been in the East India service. At Astoria my father hired a canoe and hurried on to Oregon City. He reached Oregon City on March 2, 1848. The same day he wrote out his proclamation, took the oath of office and became Oregon's first territorial governor. Two days later President Polk's term expired. President Taylor soon removed my father because Father was a Democrat. My father had not been here but a short time until he started out with Dr. Newell and an interpreter to get the murderers of Dr. Marcus Whitman. He visited the Walla Wallas, the Yakimas, the Columbias, as well as the Indians at The Dalles, and secured the promise of the Indians that they turn over the murderers. The Whitman murderers were soon arrested by the Indians, and word was brought to my father to come and get them. Major Tucker, who was to furnish the troops to go after the Indian murderers, reported that most of his troops had deserted to go to the mines. Enlisting the services of a few citizens, Father pursued the deserters, captured some of them and brought them back. Then with an escort of 10 men he went to the Indian country and brought back the murderers of Dr. Whitman. "My father received the notification in 1850 that he had been removed and Major Gaines had been appointed governor in his place. He notified the government at Washington he would turn over the office on June 18 and meanwhile went into Southern Oregon to make a treaty with the warlike Rogue River Indians. Major Gaines did not reach Oregon until late in August, although he drew his pay from the day of his commission, which was dated October 2, 1849. The legislature of the territory of Oregon, through its speaker, A. L. Lovejoy, and the president, Samuel Parker, pasted a resolution of thanks to my father for his services. Part of this resolution read: 'Resolved, That we regret sincerely that the President of the United States had deprived the territory of Oregon of the services of one so eminently useful and whose usefulness was enhanced by the unbounded confidence of the people over whom he was placed.' "To show the confidence of the people of Oregon in my father, he was elected a delegate to Congress from Oregon by an almost unanimous vote. The election took place on June 30, 1851. A few days later Father left Oregon City for the mines for a brief trip. Before he had gotten to the mines he was told the Rogue River Indians were murdering the miners and settlers. He at once raised a party of volunteers, joined his forces with that of the regulars in Major Kearny's company, who happened to be coming north from California to Fort Vancouver [Kearny was going south from Vancouver], and together they fought a battle with the Indians, killing some and taking many prisoners. Major Kearny asked my father to take charge of the Indian prisoners and take them to the Willamette Valley. [In Northern California Lane convinced Kearny to release the prisoners to him; Lane escorted them back to the Rogue Valley.] "My father reached Oregon City on July 22, where he was given a reception before leaving for Washington, D.C. At Oregon City he took a boat named Willamette to Astoria, where be sailed for Panama on a ship called the Oregon. From Panama he went to Havana, thence to New Orleans, then up the river to our home on the Ohio River. From there we went to Washington, D.C., and in the spring of 1853 we started for Oregon. Most of the traveling was done in those days by steam, so we took a train over the Alleghenies. In those days there was no tunnel through the Alleghenies, and the track wound back and forth in a horseshoe curve to get over the mountain. We left Washington City on March 19, 1853, and we reached New Orleans on April 1. We stayed there for a week. We crossed the Isthmus on May 2 and reached Oregon City on May 14, 1853." Oregon Journal, Portland, February 16, 1915, page 6 IN EARLY DAYS
"We started from Washington, D.C., for Oregon, March 19, 1853,"
said Mrs. L. F. Mosher of Portland a day or two ago in telling of the
trip of her father, General Joseph Lane, Oregon's first territorial
governor, and his family. "After Father had served as governor in 1849
and 1850, he was elected delegate to Congress from Oregon. There were
22 in our party, my father and mother with 10 children and 10 other
relatives. Off Graytown, on the Isthmus of Panama, the captain of the
man-of-war there invited us all to take dinner on board his warship. I
remember it yet as a very enjoyable dinner. On the Pacific side of the
Isthmus there was a dispute between the natives and the white men, and
it looked for a while as if there was going to be trouble. Our party
was left to the last and the natives refused to take us out and would
not let the white men take us. Father signaled to the man-of-war out in
the offing and they sent in a longboat manned by bluejackets and took
us out to our vessel. With our party there was Captain Lafayette
Mosher, who had been a lieutenant with my father in the Mexican War,
and who was afterwards promoted to be captain. I was only 13 at that
time, but a few years later I became Mrs. Mosher. My husband,
Lieutenant Mosher, had worked in the law office of Pugh &
Pendleton, in Indiana. Pugh was captain in the company of which my
future husband was a lieutenant, so that when Captain Pugh resigned
Lieutenant Mosher became captain.By Fred Lockley "We came from Panama to San Francisco on the Sierra Nevada, and from San Francisco to Portland on the Fremont. We reached Portland on May 14, 1853. Victor Trevitt, whose monument is now a prominent landmark on Memaloose Island in the Columbia, with some other well-known citizens, met my father at Portland as we got off the boat, and asked him to run for delegate to Congress. Immediately upon landing at Oregon City my father started his campaign and two weeks later was elected. While my father was campaigning my mother and we children stayed in Oregon City. Supreme Judge O. C. Pratt lived in Linn City, just across from Oregon City. He was leaving Oregon and suggested to my mother that she buy his furniture. She bought his upholstered furniture and a long pier-glass. "As soon as Father returned from the campaign he arranged to have us go to our ranch in the Umpqua Valley. My brother had built a house for us there. The roads in those days were nothing to brag of, and as we were passing along a cut on the side of a hill the wagon fell over the bluff and broke our furniture into bits, and of course the pier-glass broke into fragments. My mother picked up some of the largest of these to take along. I can remember yet how the squaws who came to see us were delighted when Mother gave them a piece of looking glass about the size of your hand. They would look in the glass, see their faces and with their other hand would feel back of the glass to see what was there. They never could understand how a flat piece of glass would show the whole face and head. They thought there must be something back of the glass. "We had only been in our house in the Umpqua Valley a short time when John Fullerton and I. B. Nichols came up from the Cow Creek country to get my father to raise some volunteers to go out against the Rogue River Indians. My father at once enlisted a party of volunteers and started south. They had several skirmishes with the Indians in the latter part of August, and at the battle of Evans Creek my father was shot in his shoulder, almost in the same place that he was wounded in during the Mexican War. The Indians asked for a peace talk and Chief Joe, the Indian chief, said he would get the chiefs together and meet my father at Table Rock. My father, with a small party of white men, met the Indians on September 10 at Battle Rock. There were 600 or 700 Indians at the conference, while my father had with him Captain A. J. Smith, Captain L. F. Mosher, Colonel John Ross, Joel Palmer, Captain J. W. Nesmith, afterwards United States Senator, Samuel Culver, Lieutenant A. V. Kautz, J. D. Mason, T. T. Tierney and R. B. Metcalfe. A treaty was arranged at this conference and peace was restored. "My father went to Washington as delegate, and Captain Mosher went to Jacksonville to the mines. Through the influence of my father and of Pugh & Pendleton, his old law partners, Captain Mosher was appointed register of the land office at Winchester. Later the land office was moved to Roseburg. He held this office until the election of Abraham Lincoln in 1860. At Winchester he moved next door to us. We saw a good deal of each other, and on July 1, 1856, we were married. We were married by Father Wilbur, one of the old-time missionary preachers that everyone loved. We had a big wedding and everyone at Winchester and in the Umpqua Valley attended. We had a banquet consisting of chicken, ham, deer meat, salads and champagne for everyone. My husband did not belong to any church. Neither did I. Two of my sisters belonged to the Presbyterian Church. My oldest sister belonged to the Baptist Church. The rest of the family were sort of free and easy, attending any church that was handy. One of my sisters later became an Episcopalian. My husband knew very little of churches, but while living in Mexico had seen a good deal of the Catholic Church. While in Roseburg attending court in 1859, he met Archbishop Blanchet and his assistant. Archbishop Blanchet talked with my husband and said that now he was married and had children he should belong to some church. The particular church did not matter much to my husband, so he consented. He wrote me a note asking me to have our two children ready to be baptized next morning. I had never seen a Catholic priest that I knew of. My little boy, Charles Lane Mosher, was 20 months old, and his sister, Margaret, two months old. Next morning Archbishop Blanchet and his assistant came to Winchester and baptized my two children. About a year later my husband and myself were baptized and were married according to the rites of the Catholic Church. We were married on our place, White Oak Farm, in West Roseburg. I have had eight children, four boys and four girls. My daughter Winifred, who is a teacher in the Shattuck school, is named after me. My husband practiced law from 1861 to his death on March 22, 1890. My father died on the evening of April 19, 1881, at Roseburg." Oregon Journal, Portland, February 17, 1915, page 4 IN EARLY DAYS
"When my father, General Joseph Lane, Oregon's first territorial
governor, came back from Washington, where he had been a delegate from
Oregon in 1853, we came with him," said Mrs. L. F. Mosher [Winifred M. Lane Mosher]
of this city. "We arrived at Oregon City on May 14, 1853. I was a
little over 13 years old at the time. I was married three years later
to Captain L. F. Mosher, who had been my father's aide in the Mexican
War and who had also served with him in the Rogue River war, being
wounded not far from Jacksonville. Yes, 16 years seems young to be
married, but it was not considered so in those days. I received my
first proposal when I was 13 years and two months old. I was in New
Orleans and Mr. Dean proposed to me. I had been in Oregon but a few
months when a young man who had known me in Indiana came clear out to
Oregon to marry me. He was a mighty nice young fellow and my father and
mother liked him, but I was only 13½ years old and they told him I was
too young. He came to our home in the Umpqua Valley and went away
disconsolate. We put him up a nice lunch of fried chicken and other
things for his stage ride to Portland, wrapping the lunch in a freshly
ironed handkerchief. After he got home he wrote me he would always save
this handkerchief on account of his love for its original owner. My
sisters always thought that was a good joke, for it was my sister's
handkerchief, not mine.By Fred Lockley "Possibly because my father was so prominent in politics, or possibly because girls were scarce, or it is barely possible it was because I was considered rather an attractive young girl, or it may have been for all three of these reasons, in any event before I was married I had had more than a dozen proposals. When I was nearly 16 years old, I became engaged to a wonderfully attractive young man from Southern Oregon. Captain L. F. Mosher, who had come from our home in Indiana and who had recently been appointed register of the land office at Winchester, moved next door to us. He suddenly discovered that the little girl he had known had grown up to be a young woman and laid siege to my heart like the very impetuous soldier he was. I found that I cared for him more than the young man I was engaged to [Robert B. Metcalfe], so I broke the engagement. My former lover blamed Captain Mosher for my action for breaking the engagement and challenged him to a duel. They met at the foot of a butte near Winchester, but their seconds were able to adjust the matter, so the duel did not take place. The young man to whom I had been engaged left Oregon and I saw a notice of his death recently in a Kentucky paper. He died worth more than a million dollars. [See Mosher's letters of June 11 and August 4, 1856, and Metcalfe's letter of August 8.] "My father was the last of the generals of the Mexican War to die. Scott and Taylor, Worth and Wool, Butler and Kearny, Patterson, Pillow and Pierce, Cushing and Cadwalader, Shields and Whitman, all of whom were generals in the Mexican War, answered the summons before my father. "The breaking out of the Civil War broke many lifelong friendships in Oregon. My brother left Oregon, went South and became a colonel in the Confederate army. My father's sympathies were with the South, which alienated many of his friends. After the war many of his old friendships were resumed. He and Colonel J. W. Nesmith had long been friends, but they were estranged during the war. Before my father died he wrote to Colonel Nesmith asking him to say a few words at his funeral when it came time for him to pass over to the other side. Judge Mathew P. Deady, another of his lifelong friends, in writing of the meeting of General Scott and my father in San Francisco in 1859, at the time that General Scott was on his way to Oregon to settle a controversy over San Juan Island, which threatened war between Great Britain and the United States, and while my father was on his way to Washington, D.C., as a Senator from Oregon, said: 'As General Lane stepped towards General Scott, Scott arose and said, "How are you, my old friend and fellow soldier?" Lane responded, "General, my career as a soldier was a brief one, but I had the honor of serving under one of the greatest generals of the age."'" "After he had served as the first territorial governor of Oregon, my father went to Northern California, where he worked in the mines. In 1851 he was elected a delegate to Congress. In 1853, while leading a charge against the Rogue River Indians, he was shot through the shoulder. "Some years ago a relative of mine ran across, in a curio shop in Salt Lake City, one of the old Breckinridge and Lane medals. On one side of the medal is a portrait of Breckinridge, while on the other side in a most excellent portrait of my father. It was gotten out at the time Breckinridge and Lane were running for President and Vice President of the United States in 1860. The Democratic Party was divided and Lincoln was elected. My father never again ran for public office. He lived on our farm near Roseburg until his death on April 19, 1881. He was always very active, both physically and mentally. He directed the operations of the farm and spent much of his time in reading history and keeping abreast of the questions of the day after his retirement from political life." Oregon Journal, Portland, February 18, 1915, page 6 IN EARLY DAYS
Dr. Harry Lane, United
States Senator
from Oregon, comes by his political aspirations honestly. If you will
trace the records of the Lane family you will find that wherever they
have been they are serving as governors, generals, senators or at the
head of affairs. Senator Lane's grandfather was Oregon's first
territorial governor. He was also Oregon's delegate to Congress and
United States Senator from Oregon and was the Democratic candidate for
Vice President when Breckinridge and Lane ran against Lincoln in 1860.
General Lane's daughter, Mrs. L. F. Mosher, of this city, talks very
entertainingly of Oregon's early days and of the part taken by her
father in Oregon history.By Fred Lockley General Lane had a wide acquaintance with the prominent men, not only of Oregon but of the whole country. Among his personal friends were Calhoun, Clay, Webster, Marcy, Douglas, Seward, Chase and Buchanan. Harriet Lane, the mistress of the White House during Buchanan's administration, was General Lane's cousin. As a boy he knew General Jackson and greatly admired him. In talking to the pioneers or in reading reminiscences of many of Oregon's great men one is struck by the fact that General Lane was universally admired. United States Senator Nesmith, who met General Lane in San Francisco in February, 1849, and who was his fellow passenger on board the former East India brig Jannett, in speaking of General Lane, says: "I served under his command in the Rogue River campaign in 1853. In 1849 we explored together the Siletz and Yaquina Bay country. I believe we were the first white men to cross out over the bar at Yaquina. We made the trip in an Indian canoe and sounded the channel to the sea. In all the exalted positions that General Lane occupied he never forgot his origin as one of the toiling people. The humblest farmer or mechanic always found in him a sympathetic friend. He led a life of remarkable abstemiousness and frugality, coupled with incessant industry. He was generous to a fault. "When the government sent out a paymaster with funds to pay us for our services in the Rogue River and [Yakima] Indian wars he signed the payroll and directed that his pay should be turned over to the destitute orphan children whose parents had been killed in the Boise massacre. He was gallant, chivalrous and modest. These were his inherent qualities which the rough garb of the farmer, miner, hunter, Indian fighter or the gold epaulets and uniform of the general or the habiliments of the governor or senator could never change. In danger or in battle he was cool and alert. I do not think he knew what fear was. I speak of his dauntless courage by the light of the experience I had in standing by his side under the shadow of Table Rock in September, 1853, when our little party of 11 men, unarmed, and General Lane, badly wounded, were surrounded by 700 hostile and well-armed Indians, who threatened our lives in retaliation for the death of one of their tribe. But for the coolness and defiant courage of our commander, General Lane, I believe our little party would have furnished another illustration of the barbaric instinct of the Indians for the treacherous shedding of blood." Judge Matthew P. Deady, in speaking of his friend General Lane, says: "On Sunday, September 10, 1853, I was present when the white chief General Joseph Lane and the Indian chief Joseph, the former with his arm in a sling and the latter in a blanket or toga that would have done honor to a Roman senator, met on the side of the mountain near Table Rock, in the presence of hundreds of Indians and of a few white men and agreed on terms of a treaty of peace. General Lane lived honestly and died poor. He was a man of more than ordinary ability. Generous, affable, brave, gallant and [a] lover of women, a friend of the helpless, we shall not soon look upon his like again." Oregon Journal, Portland, February 20, 1915, page 4 SENATOR LANE GOES TO SILETZ TO
CONFER WITH INDIANS THERE
Looks Forward with Keen Interest to Visit with Descendants of Old Chief John EARLY EXPERIENCES CITED Cause of Historic Indian Wars on Rogue River Explained-- Man Shot Fisherman to "See Him Tumble."
Senator Harry
Lane left today for the Siletz Indian Reservation to look into the
affairs of the reservation. As chairman of the Senate committee on
Indian affairs, Senator Lane has done more for the protection of the
Indians of the nation than any other man for many years. He has exposed
and stopped the methods by which the Indians were being despoiled of
their property and were being neglected and ill-treated.
On his visit to the Siletz Reservation, Senator Lane was looking forward with pleasure to a visit with the daughter of old Chief John, who took a leading part in the Indian wars of the late '50s. These wars started down in the Rogue River country. At that time Senator Lane's aunt was living on the Rogue River, and her boy and the Indian papooses used to play together. The Indians used to give the white boy dried venison to piece on [sic--"feast on"?] while the little Indian boys used to go to his home for bread and jelly. "One day," said Senator Lane, recounting incidents of those early days, "Colonel Baker and another man were riding along the Rogue River, when they saw an Indian leaning out over a rock spearing fish. "'Watch me drop that fellow into the river,' said the man with Colonel Baker. "'What do you mean by dropping him into the river?' demanded Colonel Baker. 'if you kill that Indian, you will have a horde of Indians after us before we can turn around. They will kill you and a lot more whites.' "Colonel Baker started on down the trail, and a moment later he heard a shot and saw the Indian tumble into the water. "'I got him,' shouted the man exultantly. "The two men put spurs to their horses and got out of the country, while the Indians went on the war path. Two nights later the Indians killed every settler on the river in that district, except my aunt and her family. She had been so friendly with them that they did not molest her place. But that was the beginning of the Indian wars of that time. "Chief John became one of the strongest fighting chiefs, and his daughter is now living on the Siletz Reservation." Oregon Journal, Portland, August 7, 1915, page 5 I've been unable to identify either Col. Baker or Lane's aunt. LANE'S DISLOYALTY INHERITED
Attitude of Grandfather in Civil War Crisis is Recalled.
PORTLAND,
March 6.--(To the Editor.)--Senator Harry Lane is "running true to
form." The Senator belongs to the medical profession and no doubt
subscribes to the belief in heredity. Be it remembered, therefore, that
the Senator's paternal grandfather was Senator from Oregon in the years
up to 1861; that on the floor of the United States Senate in those dark
days just preceding the Rebellion this same grandfather stated that
Lincoln and the black Republicans would have to walk over his dead body
before they would keep the southern states in the Union against their
will, or words to that effect.
We now see his grandson standing up for the great republic in the same way and from the same state. However, Grandfather Lane did not allow his body to be walked over, living or dead, but brought it carefully back to Oregon, where it would be out of danger. The citizens of the state of Oregon were patriotic at that time and welcomed Grandfather Lane by burning him in effigy and other forms of welcome of like nature. Yes, Grandson Lane is "running true to form," the theory of heredity is vindicated, but will Oregon run true to form in this case and give the Senator the same welcome on his return? READER.
Oregonian, Portland,
March 8, 1917, page 11 See
the Oregonian's
response.General Joseph Lane's Record.
Portland, March 10.--To the Editor of the Journal--The
merited rebuke of "Reader'" in the Oregonian
of March 8 to Senator Harry Lane of Oregon, for joining with 11 other
senators on March 4 to defeat the armed
neutrality
bill desired by President Wilson, deserves the strongest commendation.
How any American with red blood in his veins can take any other view of
the craven act of the "pusillanimous twelve" is beyond my comprehension.
In condemning Oregon's junior senator, however, "Reader" ought not to have indulged in disparaging allusions to his grandfather, General Joseph Lane, first Governor of Oregon Territory, then delegate to Congress until it became a state on February 14, 1859, and then United States Senator until March 3, 1861, who has been in his grave over 35 years. Those allusions are particularly out of place, because it is not believed that there is any foundation for them, either in language used by General Lane in the United States Senate or in his being burned in effigy in Oregon. If he had used the expressions charged it is not likely that General Joseph Hooker--"Fighting Joe"--would have urged him to accept a commission in the Union army. Physical disability at the age of 60, largely caused by wounds received in the Mexican War of 1846-48 and the Rogue River Indian War of 1853, was one of the reasons causing him to decline the offer. General Lane has children and grandchildren still living in Oregon, some of them in this city, and so far as I know, they are deeply humiliated over the conduct of Senator Harry Lane, as they believe he ought to have strongly supported the President. If General Lane was alive there can be no doubt whatever that he would support the Administration without reserve. Of course it is true, in the words of Judge Matthew P. Deady, on April 21, 1881, soon after General Lane's death, that "During the heated controversy which immediately preceded the War of the Rebellion, General Lane was, by nature, education and position, an ardent friend of the South, and what he conceived to be its Constitutional rights, and took his share of the rancor and ill will which usually grow out of such contentions and conflicts. But these have been long forgotten by him, and it is not often that one who has played so long and prominent a part in public affairs, in troublous times, goes down to his grave with more good will and regard than Joseph Lane of Oregon." Having had a personal acquaintance with General Lane for a number of years prior to his death, I can freely corroborate the opinion of Judge Deady, and am satisfied that, notwithstanding his friendly attitude toward the South--the land of his birth--prior to the beginning of the Rebellion, he was perfectly satisfied that it was best for the welfare of the nation at large that success in battle was in favor of the Union armies. And furthermore, I am certain that had any occasion arisen during the remainder of his life, he would have been among the first to offer his services to the government, irrespective of political conditions or personal preferment. [In fact, Lane did offer his services during the Modoc War.] Therefore, I consider it in extremely bad taste for anyone at the present time to hide himself behind the cover of an anonymous signature and attack General Lane's reputation because of the despicable conduct of an erring grandson while holding a position in Congress which, nearly three score years ago, had been honored by his grandsire. Oregon Journal, Portland, March 11, 1917, page C4 Dr. Harry Lane was born at Corvallis, Oregon, August 28, 1855. He was the son of Nat H. Lane, a pioneer merchant, and grandson of General Joseph Lane, the first territorial governor of Oregon. He was graduated from the Willamette University in 1876. Completing a course in the medical school of the university, he took a postgraduate course at the College of Physicians and Surgeons, of New York. Taking up the active practice of medicine, Dr. Lane, who advanced rapidly in his profession, became president of the State Medical Association and the Portland City and County Medical Association. In 1903 he was appointed a member of the State Board of Health. In Governor Pennoyer's administration Dr. Lane served as superintendent of the state hospital for the insane, in which capacity he performed conspicuous services, many improvements in administration of the institution having been accomplished under his rule. Dr. Lane's long career as a practicing physician in Portland brought him into close touch with civic affairs, and having a liking for public life, he entered upon a wider career of politics which eventually placed him to the United States Senate. He was elected mayor of Portland in 1905, defeating George H. Williams. He served two terms as mayor. In 1913 he was elected to the United States Senate, defeating Ben Selling for the honor. Dr. Lane's services in the United States Senate were conspicuous in his relation to the Department of Indian Affairs. He championed the cause of the Indians and sought to preserve their reservation rights in many ways. General Joseph Lane, Dr. Lane's grandfather, in addition to serving as first territorial governor of Oregon, also served us Oregon's delegate to Congress and United States Senator, and was Democratic candidate for vice-president when Breckinridge and Lane ran against Lincoln in 1860. General Lane performed valuable service in the early Indian wars of Oregon. He was made a Brigadier in the Mexican War. Of his immediate family Dr. Lane is survived by his wife, Harriet Lane; two daughters, Harriet Lane Hicks and Nina Lane McBride, and an adopted daughter, Dorothy Lane. Mrs. L. F. Mosher, of 314 Sherman Street, Portland, is an aunt of Senator Lane. She is a daughter of General Joseph Lane. S. Robert Lane, an uncle, lives at Roseburg. Mrs. William Colvig, Portland, is the late Senator's first cousin. "U.S. Senator Lane Is Dead," Roseburg Review, May 24, 1917, page 1 OBSERVATIONS AND IMPRESSIONS
OF THE JOURNAL MAN
By Fred Lockley
Frank P. Lane met death in his
automobile at "Death
Bridge," in Lake County, a few days ago. He was one of the best-known
and best-liked stockmen of Central Oregon, where he spent most of his
life. He was a member of the well-known Lane family that has furnished
so many men of high character to the public offices of Oregon,
including Joseph Lane, first Territorial Governor of Oregon, and Dr.
Harry Lane, United States Senator from Oregon.
When Sir Walter Raleigh, that brilliant soldier of fortune, adventurer, author, navigator and colonizer, sailed from Plymouth in 1585, one of his passengers was Sir Ralph Lane, a dashing cavalier, the founder of the Lane clan in America. The first colonial governor appointed from among the residents of America was Captain Ralph Lane, son of Sir Ralph Lane. The Roanoke colony was broken up by the Indians, but some of the members of the colony sailed to the Carolinas and founded the Carolina branch of the Lane family. Sir Ralph sailed from America for a visit to friends in Ireland, where he died in 1604. Captain John Smith and his associates founded a colony at Jamestown in 1607, and 11 years later Joseph Lane came from England as a member of the colony, settling in America two years before the coming of the Pilgrims on the Mayflower in 1620. Joseph Lane's son, Joseph Lane Jr., had a numerous progeny, whose descendants fought in the colonial wars, in the Revolutionary War, in the Mexican War, the Civil War, the Spanish-American War, and the Indian wars on the frontier. The name Joseph passed down from generation to generation. Joseph Lane, who was born in 1710, married Patience McKinne, a Scotch girl, whose father owned extensive land holdings in the Caledonia country in the South. They had three sons, Joel, Jesse and Joseph. With their little ones they moved from Halifax on the Roanoke to the wilderness, settling on land where Raleigh, N.C., now stands. The Lanes were "go-getters" and doers for, even in those days, they were civil and military leaders. Colonel Joel Lane became a lieutenant colonel in 1772, was a presiding justice, served as senator for 14 years, and was a member of the first provincial congress, which met at Hillsborough, N.C., August 21, 1885. The members of this assembly were branded as "rebels and traitors to the king." These "rebels and traitors" met at the home of Colonel Joel Lane and elected Thomas Burke governor of the state. Colonel Lane donated a tract of 1000 acres of his plantation for the establishing of the state capital at Raleigh and 640 acres as a site for the University of North Carolina. Joseph Lane, brother of Colonel Joel Lane, was a member of the tribunal of the first court of North Carolina, first held on June 4, 1771. He wooed and won Ferebe Hunter, and their descendants are scattered all over Virginia, Maryland and the Carolinas. Jesse Lane married Winnifred Hycock and had 15 children. He was a member of the Third North Carolina Continentals and with his sons fought at Guilford Court House, the Cowpens and at Kings Mountain. The battle of Kings Mountain has a peculiar significance of Oregonians, for Jesse Lane had among his sons in this fight John, father of Joseph Lane, Oregon's first territorial governor. General Ferguson, in charge of the British forces, seeing the North Carolina troops, clad in homespun, carrying flintlock squirrel guns, without bayonets or other military equipment, told his officers they would have no difficulty in repulsing this "motley horde," but the motley horde poured in such an accurate fire from these "squirrel guns" that the British lost 150 killed and over 900 prisoners, while but 30 of the North Carolina men were killed. Numbered among the grandsons of Jesse Lane, who with this sons did such valiant service at Kings Mountain, are General Joseph Lane, hero of the Mexican War, first governor of Oregon Territory, United States senator from Oregon and Indian fighter in the Rogue River War, Governor Henry S. Lane of Indiana, General Alfred H. Colquitt of Georgia, Lieutenant Governor Robertson of North Carolina, Governor David Swain of George and George W. Lane, district judge of the United States for Alabama. Jesse Lane moved to Georgia in 1736 and later moved to Missouri, where he died in 1806. Jesse Lane, grandfather of General Joseph Lane of Oregon, enlisted March 1, 1777, for three years, and was a member of Captain Jacob Turner's company. His son John, who fought so well at Kings Mountain, was his eighth child and was the fourth son. He was born in 1758. When he was 30 years old he married Betsy Street, daughter of Colonel James Street, first sheriff of Buncombe County, North Carolina. In 1804 John Lane and his family moved to Kentucky. They had five sons and three daughters--Rev. Jesse Lane, General Joseph Lane, who became a brigadier general in the Mexican War; Mary Lane, Lorina, Floyd, Winnifred, John and Simon. Winnifred Lane, one of the twin daughters of the Rev. Jesse Lane, with her sister Kate came to Oregon with General Joseph Lane when he returned to this state from Washington, D.C., 80 years ago. In 1866 Winnifred married E. H. White of Jackson County, Oregon. It would take a library to list the descendants of these hardy and westward-looking pathmakers and empire builders, the Lanes. All old-time Oregonians know how, when Abraham Lincoln declined appointment as governor of Oregon Territory, the place was offered and accepted by General Lane. They know, too, of his hazardous trip with Jo Meek to Oregon and of his services to the state and country and how he died at the age of 80 at Roseburg in the spring of 1881. The Lane family can truly say of the history of Oregon that they saw it in the making and helped to make it. Oregon Journal, Portland, December 3, 1921, page 4 RT. REV. ARTHUR C. LANE.
The Rt. Rev. Arthur C. Lane, who since 1905 has had charge of St.
Mary's church, school and hospital at Albany, of which latter
institution he was the founder, and upon whom Pope Benedict XV has
bestowed the office of prothonotary apostolic, is a native son of
Oregon, his birth having occurred in Roseburg, August 9, 1872. He comes
of most distinguished ancestry. His father, Lafayette Lane, was born in
Indiana in 1844 and in 1848 was brought by his parents to this state,
the family home being established in Oregon City. They were numbered
among the very early pioneers of the state, and General Joseph Lane,
the grandfather of Rev. Arthur C. Lane, became one of the most
prominent men of the state. He had the distinction of being the first
Territorial Governor of Oregon and was one of the first two Senators
from Oregon in the national law-making body at Washington. He likewise
gained distinction in military affairs, serving with the rank of
brigadier general during the Mexican War, in which connection he
rendered most valuable service to the government. At the termination of
the war he returned to Oregon and purchased land in Douglas County,
which he continued to operate for a number of years and then went to
Deer Creek, Oregon, where he bought a large tract of land. This he
cultivated and improved, converting it into a valuable property, upon
which he resided for many years, but at length retired from active life
and made his home with his son until his death in June, 1882. His
distinguished services in connection with political and military
affairs led to his selection for the office of Vice President of the
United States on the Democratic ticket, the presidential nominee being
Mr. Breckinridge, but the Republican Party was victorious, Abraham
Lincoln being elected to the Presidency. Mr. Lane was one of Oregon's
greatest statesmen, and his name will ever be inseparably associated
with the history of the state, which honored itself in honoring him.His son, Lafayette Lane, was reared and educated in this state, later pursuing a law course at Harvard University and completing his professional studies at Georgetown University of Washington, D.C. Returning to Oregon, he opened an office at Umatilla and while there residing was chosen to represent his district in the state legislature. He received the nomination for a second term but was defeated. He subsequently removed to Roseburg, Oregon, and here continued in practice the remainder of his life, being accorded a large and representative clientage, which his diligence, his talents and his solid attainments well merited. His cases were always well prepared, so that he went into court with a clear conception of what he desired to show, and he always treated his opponents with courtesy, dignity and good nature without abating in any degree his loyal and enthusiastic zeal for his client's rights. He was local counsel for the Southern Pacific Railroad for a number of years and was regarded as a sound and able lawyer, who ever followed the highest professional standards. He was likewise called to the office of mayor of Roseburg and gave to the city a most businesslike and progressive administration. He married Miss Amanda Mann, a native of Alabama, who passed away February 5, 1902, while his death occurred November 23, 1896. Their son, Rev. Arthur C. Lane, attended the schools of Roseburg until he reached the age of eleven years, when he went to Canada and pursued a course in Montreal College, after which he entered the Grand Seminary at Montreal. He remained for twelve years as a student at the seminary, there pursuing his studies for the priesthood and was ordained on the 5th of August, 1895. He was stationed at the cathedral at Portland for a half year and for a year at St. Mary's Home at Beaverton, Oregon. His first pastorate was at St. Louis, Oregon, and he was then called to Astoria, where he remained for three years. The next two years were spent at Jacksonville, Medford and Ashland, Oregon, and in 1905 he came to Albany, where he has since been stationed, having charge of St. Mary's church, school and hospital. He has been very active in missionary work, having opened missions at Jefferson, Mill City, Brownsville, Harrisburg, Shelburn and Scio. He has received the degrees of A.M. and S.T.L. from Laval University, Quebec, Canada. Pope Benedict XV has bestowed upon Father Lane the office of prothonotary apostolic, an ecclesiastical office which carries with it the title of Monsignor. The honor is said to be held by comparatively few of the priesthood in the United States, and is awarded only in recognition of signal service to the cause of the Roman Catholic church, thus indicating the value of the work which Father Lane has accomplished in extending the power of the church and spreading the faith. He is a highly cultured gentleman and a tireless worker, whose efforts have been far-reaching and effective in promoting the work of the church. He is greatly beloved by his parishioners, to whom he is ever a sympathetic friend and wise counselor, guiding them in material affairs as well as in spiritual matters. He is a patriotic and public-spirited American and during the war with Germany rendered valuable service to the government by his active support of the Liberty Loan, Red Cross and other drives. In his political views he is a Democrat and fraternally is identified with the Catholic Order of Foresters. He likewise belongs to the Knights of Columbus, which has an enrollment of one hundred and ten members at Albany. Charles Henry Carey, History of Oregon, 1922, volume II, pages 514-515 LANE FAMILY REMARKABLE
DURING MANY GENERATIONS Genealogical Records Trace Direct Line from That Joseph Lane Who Came from England to Jamestown Settlement. BY ALLAN B. SLAUSON.
The
death of Simon Robert Lane at his home near Roseburg, Or., June 1,
1925, closed the life record of the immediate descendants of that
outstanding figure in Oregon's pioneer history, General Joseph Lane,
"the Marion of the Mexican War," Oregon's first territorial Governor,
first United States Senator, and Democratic candidate for Vice
President on the Breckinridge ticket in 1860. His defeat in that
campaign marked his retirement from public life, but he was the
descendant of a remarkable ancestral line, and he was the father of ten
children--six sons and four daughters--who taken as a whole constituted
a remarkable family in the history of Oregon during the past century.
Lane Genealogy Interesting.
The
genealogy of the Lane family
is exceedingly interesting. A manuscript chart owned by Mrs. Douglas
Waite, daughter of Simon Lane, gives without a break the line of
descent from that Joseph Lane who came to Virginia in 1618 from
England, making his home at Jamestown, Va. He was of the same family as
Sir Ralph Lane of Orlingbury,
England, who in 1585 sailed from Plymouth, England, and founded the
colony of Roanoke, thus becoming the first English governor in America.There has been a Joseph Lane in every generation of the family since that time down to the Joseph Lane who was the first Governor of Oregon. The second Joseph Lane settled in North Carolina. The history of that state is replete with deeds of the Lane family and of other families with which they intermarried. Joel Lane, Founder of Raleigh.
Joel Lane,
great-grandson of the
first Joseph in America, was the founder of Raleigh, N.C., and to
establish the capital of the state there he deeded 1000 acres of land.
His brother Jesse was married to Winifred Aycock, of Welsh descent,
from which branch of the family came the Joseph Lane of Oregon. They
had 16 children.Their eighth child, John, born Christmas Day, 1769, was married to Elizabeth Street, daughter of David Street, grandson of David Stokes and Sarah Montfort of Old Point Comfort, Va. One of the fruits of this marriage was the boy who became famous in the early history of Oregon. Mary, a sister of General Joseph Lane's father, was a grandmother of Alfred T. Colquitt, Governor and United States Senator from Georgia. Other descendants of the girls of this large family of 16 were Colonel Nolan and his brother, both gifted orators of Georgia, and John W. Bailey, United States Senator from Texas. Joseph Lane of Oregon.
Born in
North Carolina, December
14, 1801, the Joseph Lane of Oregon history became a resident of
Kentucky before he was three, knew all the hard life of a pioneer in
his boyhood, working on the farm and clerking in a country store,
getting very little education. At the age of 23 he married and settled
upon a farm in Vanderburgh County, Indiana.The following year he was elected to the legislature, and for 20 years almost continuously he represented his county in one branch or the other of the state legislature. When war with Mexico was declared in 1846 he enlisted as a private soldier, but his fellow soldiers elected him colonel and not long afterward he received from President Polk a commission as brigadier general. His war record is written in many histories, in most of which he is spoken of as "the Marion of the Mexican War," in tribute to his bravery, boldness and success in many battles. August 14, 1858, Oregon was organized as a Territory. President Polk appointed Joseph Lane Governor with plenary powers and positive instructions to inaugurate the territorial government under his administration. Lane crossed the plains in the dead of winter--reached San Francisco in February--chartered a vessel there, entered the Columbia River the last of the month, arrived in Oregon City March 2 and on March 3, 1849, proclaimed Oregon a Territory within the jurisdiction of the United States. The next day Polk's administration was ended. Lane had kept his promise. Ten Children Born to Lane.
Joseph
Lane's family consisted of
six sons and four daughters, all but one of whom, the eldest son,
Ratliff Boone Lane, who died in 1848 at the age of 23, came to Oregon
with their father and mother in 1853.Melissa, the eldest daughter, married A. J. Barlow and died in 1895, at the age of 74 years. Nathaniel Hart Lane, the second son, died in this city. He was the father of Dr. Harry Lane, who was twice mayor of Portland and United States Senator for Oregon from 1914 to 1917, when he died at a hospital in San Francisco. Joseph Samuel Lane, third son, served with his father during the Mexican War. He came to Oregon with the family and died August 6, 1910, at Myrtle Creek, Or. Simon Robert Lane, the fourth son, was born February 29, 1843, and died June 1, 1925. He was married November 22, 1865, to Catharine Drain, daughter of Charles Drain and Nancy G. Ensley, Oregon pioneers of 1852, who settled first on a farm ten miles south of Albany in Linn County. Charles Drain was prominent in public life in territorial Oregon, serving two terms in the territorial legislature and on the admission of the territory into the Union was elected to a four-year term in the state senate and became president of that body. In 1860 he resigned his seat in the senate and removed with his family to Douglas County, locating at the town which bears his name and was his home until his death. A more extended history of this son is given below. One Son Fights for the South.
John Lane,
fifth son, became a
cadet at West Point and left there when the Civil War broke out to join
the Confederate States army in which he served as colonel, his youthful
sympathies being with the South in its rebellion. In later years he
came to Lewiston, Idaho, where he died.LaFayette Lane, sixth son, was born in Vanderburgh County, Indiana, November 12, 1842. He was educated at Georgetown, District of Columbia, and Stamford, Conn., studied law in the office of Judge Aaron E. Wait, in Portland, was admitted to the bar on coming of age and soon thereafter was elected to the state legislature from Umatilla County. Miss Amanda Mann of Portland became his wife and they removed to Roseburg where he formed a law partnership with his brother-in-law, LaFayette Mosher. In 1871 Matthew P. Deady and LaFayette Lane were chosen commissioners to codify the laws of Oregon. In 1871 Mr. Lane was elected to Congress to fill an unexpired term of George A. LaDow, who died in office. Although his service for the state in Congress was brief, it will be remembered for obtaining the first appropriation for building the locks at the Cascades, which were completed just before his death in Roseburg November 23, 1896. Daughters Well Known in State.
Mary V.
Lane, the eighth child,
was married to Aaron Shelby, who was a partner with her brother Simon
in a general merchandise store in Roseburg. She was the mother of
Eugene Shelby, for many years superintendent of Wells, Fargo Express
Company in Portland, and of Annie Blanche Shelby, well known in Oregon
as an author and a frequent contributor to the Oregonian.Emily Lane, the ninth child, was married to a merchant of Roseburg, Creed Floed. They afterwards resided in California, in Spokane, Wash., and in Boise, Idaho, where she died in November, 1907. Winifred Lane, the youngest daughter, was married July 1, 1856, to LaFayette Mosher, who served as a second lieutenant in the 4th Ohio regiment in the Mexican War and came to Oregon with his old commander and future father-in-law in 1853, arriving in Portland May 15. He located in Jacksonville and engaged in mining, following General Lane in the Rogue River Indian War. He had been admitted to the bar in Ohio in 1853 and in 1855 was appointed registrar of the United States land office at Winchester, then the county seat of Douglas County, in which he served until 1861. He continued the practice of law and became circuit judge of the second federal district and by virtue of that office sat upon the supreme bench of the state. Four sons and four daughters were born to Winifred Lane Mosher and her husband: Charles Lane, John Shirley, Paul Albert, Henry Augustine, Anna, Winifred, Alice Key and Mary Emma. The eldest son, who was a journalist of ability, died in Portland in 1904. The second and fourth sons died in infancy and the third died in his 27th year. Winifred, who has given the best years of her life to the education of the children of others, is still a resident of Portland. The youngest daughter, Mary Emma, was married to John M. Cowan of the United States Lighthouse Service, and is the mother of eight children. Simon Lane Last of Family.
Although
five of the brothers and
sisters of Simon Lane were younger, he outlived them. Nothing in his
appearance a short time before his death indicated other than that he
had many years yet to live. The portrait accompanying this family
biography was sketched from life only recently by Jeff Tester, the Oregonian's staff
artist."A healthy mind in a healthy body" was the old adage that came into the writer's mind as he sat in the spacious living room of Mrs. Douglas Waite's country home in Deer Creek Valley, near Roseburg, one beautiful day last month and enjoyed a long visit with the bearded patriarch who had witnessed the growth and development of a great state almost from its very birth. Mentioning the fact that but one of his father's children was never a resident of Oregon recalled to his mind clear recollections of his early youth at the old homestead in Vanderburgh County, Indiana, and the never-forgotten trip down the Mississippi River to New Orleans with his elder brother on a barge loaded with corn. Brother Victim of Cholera.
The trip
was not one of idle
pleasure but of steady work, for the corn was loaded on the barge as it
was cut in the fields and had to be husked, shelled and sacked on the
way down the river and be ready for the market on arrival. Ratliff
Boone, the older brother, 22, was in full charge of the farm while his
father was away in the service of his country, and it was his job to
market its products as well as to harvest them.It was a wonderful experience in a boy's life, this trip, but it had a sad ending, for the cholera was raging in New Orleans and Ratliff fell a victim and died in that city, leaving his brother of 17 years to sell his boatload of corn and get home the best way he could. Here, perhaps, was laid the foundation for his successful life as a merchant in after years in Oregon. Simon Lane was 22 years old when his father brought the family to Oregon to make their future home. They settled on a farm four miles north of Roseburg and that fall Simon, in partnership with Creed Floed, another young pioneer who afterward married his younger sister Emily, established a mercantile business at Winchester, at that time a more important point than Roseburg. Later, when Roseburg became the county seat, the store of Lane & Floed was removed to Roseburg. Mr. Lane soon after sold his interest in the store to his partner and returned to the farm to be with his mother, who was alone. In 1862 he went with a drove of cattle to Eastern Oregon, accompanied by Thomas Ledgerwood and two of his brothers, Joseph and LaFayette. The following spring he opened a store at Umatilla Landing under the name of Lane, Guthrie & Co. that furnished supplies to ranchers and miners as far away as Boise, Idaho. In 1864 he was again called upon to assume the duties of his father's farm, as his father was absent from the state, and in the next year he was married. Four Die in Early Manhood.
Five sons
and one daughter were
born of this union. Four sons died in early manhood, and his beloved
wife died six years ago, May 20, 1919. Since her death Mr. Lane had
made his home with his only daughter, Mrs. Douglas Waite.Francis B. Lane, the youngest son, born March 31, 1879, and married March 25, 1902, to Mary Cannon, lives nearby. Joseph Charles Lane, son of Simon Lane, at the age of 25 was appointed deputy collector of customs at Kodiak, Alaska, and died there April 16, 1896, at the age of 27 years, 7 months and 2 days, from cancer of the stomach, after three months of suffering endured with Christian fortitude. Owing to its isolated situation, vessels seldom reached Kodiak in the winter, and the first knowledge his parents had of his sickness was a letter saying he was dying. News of death came a few days later, and the body was brought to Roseburg, where funeral services were held in the Catholic church May 9. One of the most beautiful letters it has ever been my privilege to read was written to his mother February 20 after he had been confined to his bed three weeks. "I am not afraid to die," he wrote. "Dear Mother, do not grieve for me. I feel that I have fought the battle of life and treasured the teachings of my loving parents and the home ties of one and all, and if God sees fit to call me now, during this sickness, my last thought will revert to Mother, Father, Sister and Brother. I am sorry to leave you, but merely go before, where I will meet my dear brothers who have crossed over the river and are waiting to receive me in their loving embrace and where I with them will await to joyfully receive those I leave behind when your lives shall have ended here." What peace and consolation must this letter have been to the sorrowing mother's heart! Simon Lane, although 93, had but two grandchildren, Mrs. Walter M. Bain of Camas, Wash. (Catherine Lane Waite), the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Douglas Waite, and Frances Marie Lane of Roseburg, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Francis B. Lane. Four nieces reside in Portland, Misses Anna and Winifred Mosher, Miss Annie Blanche Shelby and Mrs. Ida L. Ross. Oregonian, Portland, June 7, 1925, page 15 IMPRESSIONS AND OBSERVATIONS
Miss Kate Lane, whose uncle, General Joseph Lane, was Oregon's first
territorial governor, lives at the Patton Home, in Portland. When I
visited her recently she said:OF THE JOURNAL MAN By Fred Lockley "My father, Rev. Jesse Lane, was born in North Carolina in 1799. His brother Joseph was born December 14, 1801. My twin sister Winifred and I came to Oregon with our uncle, General Joseph Lane, in 1861. Winifred and I were born in Kentucky, December 29, 1839. My father died when I was 5 years old. Mother lived on a farm near Evansville, Ind. General Joseph Lane also owned a farm in 'the pocket' of Indiana. I wish you could have known my Uncle Joe. He was one of the most lovable men I ever met. In 1816, when he was 15, they moved to Warwick County, Indiana, where he worked as a clerk in a store. He was elected to the legislature in 1822, when only 21. At the breaking out of the Mexican War he enlisted as a private in the Second Regiment of Indiana Volunteers, and a few weeks later became colonel of the regiment. Before long he was promoted to brigadier general. At the battle of Buena Vista he was wounded. Not long after, at the battle of Huamantla, he won the love of his troops and a brevet as major general for his gallantry. He was in command at Atlixco. In November, 1847, he took Matamoros and in January, 1848, captured Orizaba. "President Polk wanted to have Oregon organized as a territory under his administration, so he asked my uncle if he would accept the governorship and start for Oregon at once. Congress passed the bill organizing Oregon Territory August 14, 1848. My uncle, accompanied by Joe Meek and a small escort, started overland for Oregon by way of New Mexico and Arizona. They arrived at San Francisco in February, 1849, at the height of the gold excitement. He and Colonel J. W. Nesmith came to Astoria together on board the India brig Jannett. As there was no ship at Astoria coming up to Oregon City, and as time was pressing, my uncle bought a small boat and helped row from Astoria to Oregon City, where he arrived one day before the end of Polk's term of office. "General Lane reached Oregon City on March 3, issued a proclamation organizing the Territory of Oregon, and assumed his duties as governor of the territory. He had promised President Polk that Oregon Territory should be organized under his administration and he kept his promise, though he had but a day's leeway, as Polk went out of office the next day, March 4. One of the first things General Lane had to attend to was the pursuit, capture, trial and execution of the Indians who had murdered Dr. Marcus Whitman, his wife and the others at the Whitman Mission in November, 1847. It is a rather curious thing that when he issued his proclamation organizing Oregon Territory, on March 3, 1849, it was printed in the Free Press at Oregon City, of which George L. Curry was editor and publisher. He, like my uncle, later became governor of Oregon. "After about a year and a half in office General Lane resigned as governor and went to Northern California, where he worked on a placer claim during the winter of 1850-51. In 1851 he was elected Oregon's delegate to Congress and continued to serve until Oregon became a state, when he was elected United States Senator. He took his seat as one of Oregon's first two United States Senators on February 14, 1859. Delazon Smith was the other Senator. Under the system of dividing the whole body of United States Senators into three classes, with overlapping terms, the terms of the two Oregon Senators fell into the two classes expiring March 3, 1859, and March 3, 1861, respectively. The longer term fell to General Lane. The next year he was the candidate for Vice President on the ticket headed by Breckinridge. "While living at Umpqua, Oregon, in the summer of 1853 he organized a force of volunteers and had a fight with the Indians and was shot through the shoulder in the same place he had received a musket ball while charging the Mexicans at the head of Lane's brigade during the Mexican War. The battle with the Indians occurred on August 24. On September 4 he and a few white men met the Indians at Table Rock and made a treaty of peace. In 1849, shortly after he had become governor, with Colonel J. W. Nesmith he explored the Siletz country and the Yaquina Bay district. He and Nesmith went out over the bar at Yaquina in an Indian canoe to sound the channel to see what depth there was at low water. "When my uncle's term as Senator had expired, on March 3, 1861, he returned to Oregon. He had written to my twin sister Winifred and myself to come to Washington prepared to go to Oregon with him. We reached Washington in time to see President Lincoln inaugurated. My uncle always thought that if President Lincoln had been able to have his way the Civil War, with all its bitterness, would never have occurred, for President Lincoln wanted to buy the slaves and colonize them in Africa. But there were too many hotheads, both North and South, so we had to suffer four years of fratricidal strife." Oregon Journal, Portland, February 5, 1926, page 12 IMPRESSIONS AND OBSERVATIONS
"My sister Winifred and I came to Oregon in 1861 with my uncle, General
Joseph Lane," said Miss Kate Lane, when I visited her recently at the
Patton Home in Portland. "We went by steamer from New York to the
Isthmus of Panama. We had to land on the sand at Panama City, as the
depot had recently been burned. After crossing the Isthmus we went
aboard the steamer Golden Gate
for San Francisco. We left New York City about April 1 and arrived at
San Francisco about three weeks later. When we went ashore at San
Francisco one of the first things we were told was that Fort Sumter had
been fired upon and war between the North and the South had been
declared. From San Francisco we came to Portland, where we visited a
few days with Uncle Joe's daughter Mary, who had married Aaron Shelby.
My uncle bought a carry-all
here in Portland and a good team of horses. From Portland we drove to
Corvallis, where we visited Nat Lane, whose son, Dr. Harry Lane, later
was United States Senator from Oregon and also served as mayor of
Portland. My uncle's son Lafayette came with us from Washington. His
son John, at West Point, resigned as soon as war was declared in 1861
and became a colonel in the Confederate army, serving on General Robert
E. Lee's staff. When Lee surrendered John wired to his father at
Roseburg for money to come out to Oregon. He and his brother Simon
mined in the beach mines at Gold Beach, in Curry County. Later Colonel
John Lane studied law with his brother Lafayette. He died at Wapello,
Idaho, while serving as superintendent of the Indian agency there.OF THE JOURNAL MAN By Fred Lockley "My twin sister Winifred and I went from Corvallis to Roseburg in a mud wagon. The roads were hub-deep in places. General Lane, with the carry-all, came on by way of Siuslaw. His daughter Melissa, who had married Andy Barlow, lived on the Siuslaw. Uncle Joe hired an Irishman to drive the team. Near Drain the carry-all got stuck in the mud. While Uncle was helping lift it out of the mud his revolver dropped out of its holster and was discharged and shot him through the shoulder. He had been shot through the shoulder with a musket ball in the Mexican War. In the Rogue River Indian war he was also shot through the same shoulder. The driver was terrified for fear General Lane would die and he would be blamed for killing him. He said, 'Hurry up, General, and write a paper saying I didn't shoot you.' Just then a man on horseback came along, so my uncle stopped him and said to him, 'For the peace of mind of my driver, I want you to know that he didn't shoot me. I was shot accidentally. This man had nothing to do with it.' They went on to Drain, where my uncle had his wound dressed and where he stayed several days. The bullet severed a tendon, so my uncle was never thereafter able to lift his arm. "Shortly after we reached my uncle's place, near Roseburg, my sister Winifred secured a school on Deer Creek. General Lane's sons, Lafayette and Simon, drove a bunch of cattle to the mines in Eastern Oregon to sell. General Lane's daughter, Mrs. Barlow, on the Siuslaw, sent word for her mother to come at once, as she had been accidentally shot. Mrs. Barlow's son was riding a wild horse. He had been out hunting. He called to his mother to come out and get his rifle. His mother took the gun and put it on the bed. Her baby crawled along the floor, pulled itself upright and in some way pulled the trigger, discharging the gun. The bullet shot Mrs. Barlow through the knee. My aunt went to be with her daughter, so this left General Lane and me alone on the farm. His wounded shoulder prevented his milking the cows. They were Spanish cattle and rather wild. Uncle drove them into a narrow chute and I had to do the milking. We kept house together and did all the farm work for two weeks before he was able to get a man to help on the farm. "I secured a school at Galesburg. Mr. Levins ran a store there and kept the stage station. Passengers stopped there for breakfast. Four families hired me to teach their children. I boarded with Mrs. Levins. I taught there two years. From there I went to Rock Point, in Jackson County, to teach. This also was a stage station and hotel. It was about 12 miles from Jacksonville. I boarded with Mrs. Birdseye. She and Nat Lane's wife were sisters. Dr. Harry Lane was her nephew. My sister Winifred married Ed White, whose brother, L. J. White, ran the hotel at Rock Point. "For some years I lived at the home of Mr. and Mrs. J. C. Floed at Roseburg. Her son Fred ran the Roseburg Review. J. C. Floed married Emily Lane, a daughter of General Joseph Lane. While I was staying at the Floed home in Roseburg my sister's husband, Ed White, who was a railroad man, was sent to Reno, Nev. He died there about 50 years ago. My sister Winifred and I bought a home in Reno. Her son Fred edited the Reno Journal 12 years. We served in the legislature at Carson, Nev., and later became postmaster at Reno. I lived at Reno off and on more than 40 years. When I went there Virginia City was the big city." Oregon Journal, Portland, February 6, 1926, page 4 IMPRESSIONS AND OBSERVATIONS
"No, I do not belong to the D.A.R., though I should like mighty well to
join; but it costs $15 initiation fee," said Miss Kate Lane, niece of
General Joseph Lane, Oregon's first territorial governor, when I
visited her recently. "Am I eligible? I should say I am. Let me show
you some of our family records and pictures. Here is a photograph of
the old Joel Lane home at Raleigh, N.C., which, by the way, is still
standing. In this old house the North Carolina revolutionary assembly
met in June, 1781. Our ancestor, Sir Ralph Lane, sailed from Plymouth,
England, in a vessel fitted up by Sir Walter Raleigh, in 1585. His son,
also Sir Ralph Lane, was the first colonial governor appointed on
American soil. In 1618, two years before the landing of the Pilgrims,
Joseph Lane came to Jamestown, Va., which had been settled in 1607 by
the London company. The Lanes went south, settling in North Carolina.
In 1710 Joseph Lane, descendant of Sir Ralph Lane, married Patience
McKinne. They had three sons--Joel, Jesse and Joseph. From Halifax, on
the Roanoke, they moved out into the wilderness, where Raleigh was
later established. Joel Lane became a colonel and was a presiding
justice during the Revolutionary War. He was made lieutenant colonel in
1772. He built the house whose pictureOF THE JOURNAL MAN By Fred Lockley I have just shown you. He was a member of the provincial congress, which met in August, 1775, and was branded a rebel and a traitor against King George for so doing. They met in Colonel Joel Lane's house in 1781 and elected Thomas Burke governor of the state. "Colonel Joel Lane, in 1792, presented to the state 1000 acres of land on which to build a state capital. He also gave 600 acres for the site of a state university. His brother Joseph served as a member of the first court of North Carolina. The third brother, Jesse, who was born in 1723, married Winifred Hycock. All 15 of their children lived to a ripe old age. Jesse Lane served in the Third North Carolina Continentals during the Revolutionary War and, with his sons, fought at The Cowpens, King's Mountain and elsewhere. One of Jesse Lane's sons, John, who fought in these two battles, was the father of General Joseph Lane, Oregon's first governor. Among the grandsons of Jesse Lane were General Joseph Lane, governor of Oregon; Henry S. Lane, governor of Indiana; Lieutenant Governor Robertson of North Carolina, Governor David Swain of Chapel Hill and General Alfred H. Colquitt of Georgia. "The first Lane to go south was Joseph Lane Jr., who went to Virginia and from there to Halifax, N.C., where he died in 1727. He had five sons--Joel, Joseph, James, Jesse and Barnabas. Jesse Lane, with his wife and 15 children, moved to Georgia in 1779. In 1800 he moved to St. Louis, Mo., where he died in 1804. John Lane, fourth son of Jesse Lane, was born in 1758 and married Betsy Street, daughter of Colonel James Street, who was the first sheriff of Buncombe County, North Carolina. They moved to Kentucky in 1804. John Lane had five sons and three daughters. My father, Rev. Jesse Lane, was his first child. His second child was General Joseph Lane, Oregon's first territorial governor. Next came Mary, then Lorina, Floyd, Winifred, John and Simon. John Lane, my grandfather, served in the Revolutionary War and voted for George Washington for President. My father, Rev. Jesse Lane, was born at Raleigh, N.C., in 1798. In 1804 he moved to Kentucky. This first wife was Mary McLaughlin, by whom he had four children--John, Eliza, Harriet and Elizabeth. He then married my mother, Eulila Garrett, by whom he had seven children--Simon, Jesse, Winifred, myself, Nathaniel, Jennie and Madison. As you will see, many of my forebears served in the Revolutionary War. If I ever feel that I can afford it I am going to join the Daughters of the American Revolution, but as I am 86 years old and do not know how long I shall live, I feel that I must husband my resources." Oregon Journal, Portland, February 7, 1926, page 10 D.A.R.s
Unveil Marker.
The following message from Governor
Patterson was
read by Mrs. J. H. Cochran, past regent of the local chapter, D.A.R.,
at the unveiling of a marker near Table Rock last Thursday:"Since I cannot be among those who assemble to observe the 75th anniversary of the signing [of the] pact at Table Rock on September 10, 1853, I want to take this means of paying a brief tribute to the fearless warrior and able statesman whose portrait hangs on the wall of my office in the state capitol. "To General Lane belongs great credit for the successful council, which brought about a peace between the white men and the Indians which the Rogue River tribes, proper, faithfully observed. His bravery in walking, unarmed, unto the midst of seven hundred warriors in full regalia won a savage admiration from the Indians, who knew from experience that his word could be trusted. When, during the council, rumor came that white men had broken faith by murdering an Indian, it was General Lane's coolheaded courage which saved the day and averted a massacre. In his own words he summarized the policy which made him so successful in his dealings with the Indians: 'We had been at all times ready to fight them, and to faithfully keep and maintain our good faith with them. We never once on any occasion lied to them.' "General Lane possessed an iron will, absolute courage, fearless honesty, a keen intelligence and tireless energy. These were the qualities, together with soldierly ability of a high order, which won him renown in the Mexican War, where he enlisted in the ranks and attained the position of brevet major general. As Territorial Governor, delegate to Congress and United States Senator he made an invaluable contribution to the welfare and upbuilding of Oregon, and by his exceptional ability and integrity won for himself a national reputation as a statesman. With all the honors he achieved, he retained a genial, warmhearted sympathy which made him the good friend of the humblest citizen. He was generous at the cost of his own interests. Every cent of his pay for service in the Rogue River was sent to destitute orphans who had lost their parents in Indian massacres. He worked zealously, loyally and effectively for Oregon, and his descendants have carried on his high tradition of service to the state. "Senator James W. Nesmith, who delivered the funeral oration following General Lane's death in 1881, pronounced this tribute: 'In his association with the world he was always the gallant, chivalrous, polite and modest gentleman. Those were inherent qualities which the rough garb of the farmer, miner, hunter and frontier Indian fighter, or the gold-bedizened epaulets and uniform of the general, or the habiliments of the governor or the senator, could never change.' "For his indomitable courage, his tireless devotion to the public good, his integrity and generosity, and his outstanding services as a statesman, Oregon owes the highest honor to the memory of her first Territorial Governor, General Joseph Lane." L.
L. PATTERSON,
Medford Mail Tribune, September
30, 1928, page 5Governor. She used to sit on Joseph Lane's lap many years ago when she was a little girl living in Lane County. She often tried to pick the brown mole, one of his best-known identification marks, off the ear of the state's first governor, because she thought it was a tick--Mrs. S. E. Inlow, Oregon pioneer, who celebrated her 78th birthday in Medford Sunday, told a group of local friends in the Mail Tribune office yesterday, as she fingered the yellowed pages of an Oregon history, published in 1884. "Mrs. Inlow, Local Pioneer," Medford Mail Tribune, August 28, 1930, page 10 The hero of the Mexican war and the idol of Oregon in her territorial days (General Joseph Lane) was, from the time he left the seclusion of his farm home above Roseburg to spend his last days with his children in that city, a conspicuous figure on the streets of Douglas County's shire town. The writer remembers meeting him often around the store of J. C. Floed & Co., then the leading merchants of Roseburg. Mrs. Floed was a daughter of General Lane, and Fred Floed, known well in Salem in the eighties, was a grandson. The general's son, Lafayette Lane, who represented Oregon in the lower house of Congress from '75 to '77, was then living with his family in Roseburg. Father Lane, leading Catholic priest of Oregon, is a grandson of the general, son of Lafayette. In those days of the late seventies and first eighties, the hatreds of Civil War times had softened or disappeared, and Roseburg residents were proud of their most distinguished citizen. The principal address at the funeral of General Lane was made by James W. Nesmith, his great friend of his first years in Oregon, and his bitter enemy in the closing period of political strife. It was a sincere tribute of rekindled love and respect. John Lane, son of General Lane, left West Point to become a colonel in the Confederate army. The place at West Point left vacant by John Lane was filled by Volney Smith, son of Delazon Smith, Democratic war horse of Oregon's territorial days, leader in the state constitutional convention, and Oregon's first U.S. Senator, along with Joseph Lane. Volney Smith failed in his examination, and served as a lieutenant with the Union forces in a New York cavalry regiment. In 1860, and in the years preceding, back to 1855, the rumors concerning the great conspiracy for a Pacific Republic received a good deal of attention in the Douglas-Democratic and Republican press of Oregon. It was shown by the Statesman that the Senators and Representatives from California, the Senator (Lane) and Representatives from Oregon and the delegate from Washington Territory, representing altogether a little more than a million people, according to a writer in the Oregon Historical Society Quarterly for June, 1916, had held a caucus and resolved to favor disunion and the formation of three separate republics, and that the formation of a Pacific Coast republic was broached and advocated in case of a dissolution of the Union by Senator Latham of California. In its issue of December 10, 1860, the Statesman gave fairly complete details of the plan. The Pacific Republic was to be an aristocracy after the model of the ancient republic of Venice, all the power being vested in an hereditary nobility, the chief executive being elected on a very limited suffrage. Slaves were to be procured by inviting coolies, South Sea Islanders and negroes to immigrate to California, and then reducing them to slavery. [The Statesman article of December 10, 1860 repeats the story in the San Francisco Times of an organizational meeting of the Pacific Republic. An article in the Daily Alta California of December 15, 1860 points out that the reported organizers were in different cities at the time. Lane's private correspondence reveals his fatigue, eagerness to retire, and active planning to do so.] R. J. Hendricks, "Bits for Breakfast," Statesman Journal, Salem, December 3, 1931, page 4 A story is told of Asahel Bush, who, as an old man, walked grandly about the streets of the city he helped to build, Salem, Oregon. One day he met a brash young reporter from the Salem Statesman, the newspaper Mr. Bush had founded. "Were you responsible for that column they call Twenty-five Years Ago Today?" he demanded gruffly. The reporter admitted it. "I thought folks here might want to know what was being said back in the beginning of the Civil War." Bush thrust out his lower lip, glaring. "You put in a lot of old lies about General Lane. Didn't you remember that he has sons and daughters living who might be hurt by what you printed?" "But, Mr. Bush." the reporter answered, "1 only reprinted what you wrote yourself while General Lane was still alive. Didn't it hurt him then more than it hurts his sons and daughters now?" Bush was taken aback. "Hum. Ha," he said. "Harrumph. Well, our minds were heated. Maybe we all said more than we meant." But the old newspapers have been used as factual records too many times. Lane's sons and daughters protested whenever they could be heard; his grandchildren protested in their turn; and his great-grandchildren have done their best to get the old records set straight. Finally one Nina Lane Faubion, one of the high-spirited Lane women (daughter of Dr. Harry Lane, granddaughter of Nathaniel Lane, great- granddaughter of General Joseph Lane), determined to write a book and "clear General Lane." She searched the public records and went over the thousands of letters on file in the Oregon Historical Society library. She sought out old family letters and gathered all she could from Lane's living descendants. When she had a Gladstone bag full of notes, and her head stuffed with family anecdotes, she began her book. Unfortunately, death interrupted her before she had finished the introductory chapters on the Lane ancestry. "Acknowledgment," Victoria Case, The Quiet Life of Mrs. General Lane, Country Life Press, 1952. See the original telling of this story in Fifty Years in Oregon, above. REUNION OF FOUR SISTERS.--Portland Oregonian: On Tuesday last a reunion of the four daughters of General Joseph Lane took place in this city. Mrs. Melissa Barlow, one of the ladies, happened to be in the city on her way from Spokane to visit her son at Gold Hill. It was the anniversary of her birthday, and also the 42nd anniversary of the arrival of General Lane in this state with his five sons and four daughters. At the residence of her sister, Mrs. Winifred Mosher, Mrs. Barlow met her two other sisters, Mrs. Shelby and Mrs. S. E. Floed. One of General Lane's sons, Nat, is dead; the others, Joseph, Simon, John and Lafayette, are living in Southern Oregon. Eugene Guard, May 21, 1895, page 4 General Lane's Eldest Daughter.
GOLD HILL,
Or., July 16.--Mrs. M. M. Barlow, the eldest daughter of General Joseph
Lane, died at the residence of her son, A. J. Barlow, at Gold Hill, at
2:50 o'clock this morning. Mrs. Barlow was born in Vanderburg County,
Ind., May 14, 1821. She possessed many of the noble traits that
characterized her illustrious father. News of her death will be
received with profound sorrow by many pioneers, as well as friends of a
later date.For a number of years the lady resided in Lane County. Eugene Guard, July 17, 1895, page 1 Death of Richard Pohl.
Word has reached here that Richard Pohl, well known in this vicinity
and brother of the Myrtle Point oculist M. G. Pohl, died in Berlin,
Prussia, on February 3rd. In his last letter to his brother he sent his
regards to all his old friends and expressed the wish of seeing them
all again. He was one of the pioneers of this county. From 1869 to 1872
he was employed by Col. Lane as amalgamator in the black sand mines. He
was 63 years of age and is buried in a private cemetery near Frankfurt
by the Oder.
Bandon Recorder, February 28, 1907, page 1 "My name is James Henry Blair Miller. I was born near Liberty, in Union County, Indiana, November 9, 1840. I know that date, because when my parents came across the plains in 1852 my mother tore the family records out of the old family Bible and brought them along, and I saw them after I was grown. Through some oversight the birth of my brother Cincinnatus Hiner, who later took the name of Joaquin, was not set down, but Mother said he was about 20 months older than I.… "My father, Hulings Miller, was a teacher in district schools. Before coming to Oregon he took up 160 acres of land--80 acres cleared and 80 acres in timber. Times were hard, and while Father was teaching school we three older sons worked on the farm.… One of his former pupils, who had been a very diligent and trustworthy student, had come to Oregon, had done well here and had written to Father to settle somewhere in Umpqua County, as that was the best part of the state. This old student of Father's, whose name was Joe Lane, had served with distinction in the Mexican War, and when Lincoln had turned down the appointment as governor, Joe Lane had been appointed Oregon's first territorial governor." Fred Lockley, "Observations and Impressions of the Journal Man," Oregon Journal, Portland, October 26, 1921, page 8 IMPRESSIONS AND OBSERVATIONS
Winifred M. Lane lives at 271 Knott Street, in Portland. She was
born at Empire City, the one-time county seat of Coos County. "My
father, Colonel John Lane, was the fifth son in a family of 10. His
father was General Joseph Lane, first territorial governor of Oregon,"
said Miss Lane. "Simon Lane, now more than 90 years old, who lives at
Roseburg, is the only child of General Joseph Lane now living. Colonel
John Lane, my father, was a graduate of the military academy at West
Point. At the breaking out of the Civil War Father joined the Irvin
Guards of Virginia, an artillery organization.OF THE JOURNAL MAN By Fred Lockley "On Christmas Day, 1878, Father married Harriet Sherrard, my mother, whose home at that time was near Empire City. Her father crossed the plains in 1853, settling near Eugene. "At the close of the Civil War my father came to Roseburg, going from there to Randolph, near Bandon, where he was engaged in gold mining in the black sand on the beach. My father was assessor two years and sheriff four years, after which he came to Roseburg and practiced law nine years with his brother LaFayette. He was appointed special Indian agent by Grover Cleveland and later became inspector. Resigning at the end of Grover Cleveland's term, he went to Lewiston, where he practiced law four years. He died December 24, 1914, at Lapwai, Idaho. "My grandfather, General Joseph Lane, was born in North Carolina, December 14, 1801. While still a small child he went with his parents to Kentucky, where he spent his boyhood. He moved from Kentucky to Indiana, where he was elected to the state legislature. At the breaking out of the Mexican War he raised a company of volunteers, and, as you know, served with distinction in the Mexican War. The position of governor of Oregon Territory was offered Abraham Lincoln, but his wife did not care to come out to Oregon, so Lincoln declined, and the position was then offered to my grandfather, who accepted it and started at once for Oregon. He was commissioned August 18, 1848, and came to Oregon overland, by way of New Mexico, Arizona and California. "He reached Oregon City, March 3, 1849. One of his first official acts was the taking of a census, which showed there were in Oregon at that time 8755 American citizens. He resigned as governor June 18, 1850. He was elected Oregon's delegate in Congress June 2, 1851. On May 16, 1853, he was reappointed governor of Oregon. He qualified for office and served three days, when he resigned to become the candidate of the Democratic Party for delegate in Congress and at the election on June 6, 1853, he was successful. Shortly after his election he was appointed brigadier general of the volunteer forces of Oregon and went to Southern Oregon, where after some fighting he made a peace treaty with the Indians. He was reelected in 1855 and 1857 as delegate in Congress, and when Oregon adopted a constitution, in the summer of 1858, in preparation for statehood, my grandfather was elected one of the first United States Senators from Oregon. The oath was administered to him as United States Senator the day Oregon was admitted as a state, February 14, 1859. While my grandfather was serving as Senator from Oregon he was nominated for Vice President of the United States on the Democratic ticket. John C. Breckinridge was the candidate for President on that ticket. His term of office as Senator expired March 3, 1861, and at the expiration of his term he returned to Oregon. He died in 1881 on his farm near Roseburg." Miss Lane loaned me her grandfather's scrapbook, which is a regular storehouse of early-day history, as it contains letters written by General Scott in 1851 on the slavery question and many other issues that were live questions in that day, as well as letters from many of the well-known politicians of Oregon of the early '50s. It also contains muster rolls of the Mexican War and other interesting miscellany. A correspondent of the Salem Statesman gives an interesting picture of General Joseph Lane, whom he visited at the time he made the peace with the Indians near Table Rock. The Indians had begged "Tyee Joe" Lane not to fire his "hyas rifle," as they called the cannon. They said it took a hatful of powder and it might kill them all. In describing his visit to General Lane the correspondent of the Salem Statesman said: "Never having seen General Lane, my curiosity prompted me to visit his camp. Having seen generals in the States togged out with epaulets, gold lace, cocked hats and shining swords, I expected to find something of the kind here, but fancy my surprise on being introduced to a robust, good-looking middle-aged man with his right arm in a sling and his shirt sleeve slit open and dangling, bloody from his shoulder, his legs encased in a pair of old breeches, the upper end of them being supported by buckskin straps in place of suspenders, his head ornamented with a forage cap--this composing the uniform of 'the hero who never surrendered.' His quarters were in keeping with his garb--a rough log cabin with a hole in one side for a door, and destitute of floor and chimney. In one corner lay a pile of sacks filled with provisions for the troops. In the opposite corner was a stack of guns of all sorts and sizes from old French muskets to fancy silver-mounted sporting rifles. In the third corner were a camp kettle, a frying pan, a coffee pot minus a spout, four pack saddles and a dozen tin cups, while in the remaining corner lay a pair of blankets--the general's bed. In the center of the quarters was a space four feet square, for the accommodation of guests and other visitors." On September 10 the peace council was held at Table Rock between General Joseph Lane and Indian Joseph. In the party at the peace council were General Joseph Lane, General Joel Palmer, Samuel Culver, Captain A. J. Smith, Captain L. F. Mosher, Colonel John Ross, Captain J. W. Nesmith, Lieutenant A. V. Kautz, R. B. Metcalfe, J. D. Mason and T. T. Tierney. General Lane, though his latter days were clouded by differences arising from the Civil War, was one of Oregon's bravest, gentlest and most useful citizens. As time goes on the value of his services becomes more and more apparent. Oregon Journal, Portland, April 10, 1923, page 8 "I went to school at Willamette University. John Lane, son of General Joe Lane, Oregon's first territorial governor, was a classmate of mine. We girls loved to tease him, because he was so bashful and so afraid of girls. We sat on benches in those days, as desks had not then been introduced. We would sit on the bench with him. He would move to the very end of the bench. Several more girls would sit on the bench, and at a given signal we would all push, and poor John would fall off the end of the bench into the aisle. The teacher couldn't understand what made John so clumsy and awkward as to be always falling off the bench." Sarah E. Strang Small, quoted by Fred Lockley, "Impressions and Observations of the Journal Man," Oregon Journal, Portland, September 13, 1923, page 10 "Mother took boarders, and I got a job as hired girl at the home of Mr. and Mrs. T. J. Dryer. Mr. Dryer was editor of the Weekly Oregonian. The paper was published in a small building on the same lot on which stood the Dryers' dwelling house. Their daughter married a man named Ogden, the son of one of the officials of the Hudson's Bay Company. While I was working for the Dryers a child was born to the Ogdens, so Mrs. Dryer spent a good deal of her time at her daughter's home. I was 15 [in 1854], but I wasn't much of a cook. I had always preferred doing outside work. I had not been there long when Mr. Dryer came in and said: 'Amy, get a good dinner this noon, I have invited General Joseph Lane to eat dinner.' I asked him what I should get, and he said: 'Get a New England dinner.' All I knew about New England was that that was where the Pilgrims had landed, but I hadn't the faintest idea what the Pilgrims ate nor how they cooked it. I didn't know whether a New England dinner was salmon or deer meat, so I said to Mr. Dryer, 'You will have to tell me what New Englanders eat for their dinner.' He said, 'Get a big chunk of corned beef, put a cabbage in with it, and some beets, potatoes, turnips and any other vegetables you have in the house, and boil them all together in a big kettle.' "Another time he came in and said, 'I have invited Governor Gaines and General Lane to dinner. See that we have a good dinner, and plenty of it.' Governor Gaines and General Lane had both served in the Mexican War, and both served as governor of Oregon Territory. It rather flustered me to have two such noted men to cook for, but they were easy-going home folks, so I got along all right, in spite of Mrs. Dryer's not being there to oversee the dinner." Amy Briggs Rowley LaRaut, quoted by Fred Lockley, "Impressions and Observations of the Journal Man," Oregon Journal, Portland, May 9, 1924, page 8 IMPRESSIONS AND OBSERVATIONS
"Yes, I am
a native of Portland," said Eugene Shelby when I interviewed him a day
or so ago. "I came to Portland to see my sister, Annie
Blanche Shelby. She has lived in Portland for more than 60
years. In fact, she was born here. For the past 20 years she
has been writing articles on bridge, and she also teaches bridge. Her
thigh was broken recently in an automobile accident. I was born on
Third Street near Alder on September 13, 1853. My father, A.
D. Shelby, was born in Kentucky. My mother's maiden name was Mary
Virginia Lane. She was a daughter of General Joseph Lane, Oregon's
first territorial governor and later United States Senator from Oregon.OF THE JOURNAL MAN By Fred Lockley "General Lane was born in North Carolina on December 14, 1801. His people, after coming to this country from England, settled in Virginia and later moved to North Carolina. When my grandfather, Joseph Lane, was still a boy, he went with his people to Kentucky. He was married when he was 19 to Mrs. Mary Hart and immediately after his marriage he moved from Kentucky to Indiana. He was elected to the state legislature when he was 21 years old and served for several terms. In 1846 he was elected to the state senate. When the Mexican War broke out he enlisted and was elected colonel of the Indiana volunteers. A little later he was appointed brigadier general. While leading his troops his horse was shot under him and he himself was wounded. He was again wounded in the battle of Buena Vista. "He had hardly returned from the Mexican War when President Polk appointed him first governor of Oregon Territory. His commission was dated August 18, 1843. He came to Oregon overland by way of New Mexico, Arizona and California. He arrived at Oregon City on March 3, 1849, one day before Polk went out of office. When my grandfather became governor of Oregon, Oregon had a population of 8785 Americans and 228 foreigners. He resigned as governor on June 18, 1850, and the following June was elected delegate to Congress, succeeding Thurston. In 1853 President Franklin Pierce appointed him governor of Oregon and he qualified and served a short time. However, he resigned to become the candidate of his party for delegate to Congress. The election was held on June 6, 1853, and he was elected. "Before he went to Washington, however, having been appointed brigadier general of Oregon's volunteer forces, he went to Southern Oregon to put down the Rogue River war. He was wounded in the shoulder in a battle with the Indians at Table Rock. [The battle was actually at the headwaters of Evans Creek, but Table Rock was the nearest landmark.] He was reelected in 1855 and '57 as Oregon's delegate to Congress. When Oregon adopted a state constitution he was elected United States Senator from Oregon. He took his oath on February 14, 1859, and served till March 3, 1861. He was nominated by the Southern Democrats as Vice President, John C. Breckinridge being the candidate for President. "The intense feeling engendered during the campaign immediately prior to the breaking out of the Civil War resulted in my grandfather retiring from all political activities. In 1851 he and my grandmother took up a donation land claim 2½ miles north of Roseburg. Later he purchased a 2000-acre farm on Deer Creek, 11 miles east of Roseburg. My uncle, Simon R. Lane, who was born on February 29, 1832, in Indiana, bought Grandfather Lane's farm. In 1851 General Lane's two sons, Nathaniel and Joseph, came to Oregon. "In 1853 General Lane brought the rest of his family to Oregon on his way back to Oregon after serving his first term in Congress. General Lane's first child, Melissa, married A. J. Barlow. She died in Jackson County. Nathaniel, the next child, died in Portland. The third child, R. B. Lane, died in Indiana in 1849 when he was 23 years of age. Joseph settled at Myrtle Creek, Or. My mother, Mary Virginia, was the next child. Simon, the next child, with J. C. Floed, started a store at Winchester shortly after he had come to Oregon. In 1859 they moved to Roseburg. The name of the firm there was J. C. Floed & Co. In 1862 my uncle Simon sold out his interest and with his brother, Lafayette Lane, and with James Guthrie, Jr., went to Umatilla Landing, where they ran a general merchandise store till 1864. For many years my uncle Simon operated the Pioneer black sand mine in Curry County. My aunt Emily married J. C. Floed, though we usually called him ‘Creed' Floed. You undoubtedly knew their son, Fred Floed, who was a newspaper man at Roseburg. Later he worked on the papers at Boise. John, the child next to General Lane, lived at Pierce City, Idaho, for a long time. Winifred married L. F. Mosher. Lafayette, their last child, was for many years an attorney at Roseburg. After serving in the Oregon legislature he was elected to Congress. He died in 1890. "After my father, A. D. Shelby, came to Portland he started a store on the corner of First and Washington streets. Still later Father had a boot and shoe store on First Street between Morrison and Yamhill. His third business enterprise was a crockery store on the corner of Front and Yamhill. This was burned down in the big fire August, 1873. "Father and Mother had but two children--myself and my sister, Annie Blanche Shelby. When I was a boy we lived on a quarter block on the corner of Third and Morrison streets. Jacob Kamm owned a quarter block next to us--just south of us. In those days Front and First streets were the business district, so our homes were about two blocks distant from the business district. I attended Portland Academy and later went to the Central School, where the Portland Hotel is now located. I remember attending a May Day picnic that was held in the woods immediately west of the schoolhouse. When I went to school there, west of 7th Street was largely timber. The last schooling I had here in Portland was in what is now called the North Portland School. While going to school there I carried a route in the morning on Ben Holladay's paper, the Bulletin. James O'Meara was the managing editor and D. C. Ireland was the city editor. When I quit school I went to work as fly boy in the press room of the Bulletin. 'Shorty' Boardman was the foreman of the Bulletin. He got his pay each Saturday night and always without fail, on Sunday morning would borrow four bits from me. Sam Blythe, whose son, Ned, has a newspaper in Vancouver, was one of the printers when I was fly boy on the Bulletin." Oregon Journal, Portland, December 17, 1929, page 8 Ray L. Farmer, pioneer hardware man of Salem, is an authority on Yreka, Cal., for he spent his boyhood there. Yreka, or, to give it its original name, Thompson's Dry Diggings, was discovered by a party of Oregonians, and one of the first men to mine there was General Joseph Lane, Oregon's first territorial governor. The miners put in a ditch from the Little Shasta, 30 miles distant; though, if you followed the contours of the ditch, you would travel nearly 90 miles. More than $10,000,000 was taken out of the pay dirt at Yreka. Today, just at the edge of town, a dredge is working away, and it is reported that it is taking out approximately $3000 a week. Three young men have leased some land not far from where the dredge is working, from which they are taking out an average of $100 a day. Many years ago the claim was worked. The heavy clay was thrown to one side. During the years since this clay was thrown out it has weathered and disintegrated so that what at that time was considered worthless has released the gold that was in it, and it is reported that more is being taken out of the claim now than by the original owners. Joe Lane's Bar, on the Shasta River, near the mouth of Yreka Creek, was at one time very productive. Wagon Valley, near Yreka, is so called because of the fact that when General Lane was on his way from Oregon City to the Sacramento River, in 1851, he abandoned his wagon in this valley, finishing the trip by pack horse. Fred Lockley, "Impressions and Observations of the Journal Man," Oregon Journal, Portland, October 20, 1933, page 8 IMPRESSIONS AND OBSERVATIONS
"My father, Lafayette Lane, was born at Evansville,
Ind., on November 12, 1842," said Monsignor Arthur Lane, pastor of All
Saints Church, Portland. "He was youngest of 10 children. His oldest
sister, Mrs. Melissa M. Barlow, died in Jackson County. Nathaniel Hart
Lane, oldest brother, was born in Indiana in 1823 and was a Mississippi
pilot. In Oregon, he operated on Coos Bay and on the Umpqua River, and
operated the steamer Messenger, which
he built. He died in 1878. His son, Nat Hart Lane Jr., was born in
Oregon in 1864, and his first marine service was on the Messenger, built on Coos Bay in 1873. He operated steamers on the Willamette, and later on the Stickine, in Alaska, and had command of the Cassiar, in British Columbia. Returning to Oregon, he was captain of the Occident, on the Willamette. My father's next brother, Ratliff, died in Indiana in 1849, at age 23.OF THE JOURNAL MAN By Fred Lockley "Joseph Lane, the next, lived many years at Myrtle Creek. My father's sister Mrs. Mary V. Shelby lived in California. Her son Eugene for many years was head of Wells Fargo in Portland. Simon R. was born in Indiana in 1832. For some years he had a store at Winchester. His partner was John C. Floed. In 1859 they moved their business to Roseburg. In 1862 Simon went to Umatilla Landing, where he and my father operated a store until 1864. Simon married Catherine A. Drain, whose father, Charles Drain, founded the city of Drain, Or. "My father's sister Sarah Emily in 1861 married John C. Floed, born in Virginia in 1816. They crossed the plains to the Willamette Valley in 1852, and settled at Winchester in the fall of 1853. "My uncle Colonel John Lane lived some years at Pierce City, Idaho. My aunt Winifred in 1856 married Lafayette Mosher, born in Kentucky in 1824. He served in the Mexican War and came to Oregon in 1853. In 1855 he was appointed register of the Roseburg land office. He served in the legislature in 1870, and in 1873 Governor Grover appointed him a justice of the supreme court. He died in 1890. "My father was a student at Wilbur Academy, and graduated in law at Harvard. In 1864, at age 22, he represented Umatilla County in the legislature. He was elected to Congress in 1875. With Judge Matthew P. Deady he prepared 'Deady and Lane's Code of Oregon.' He died at Roseburg on November 23, 1896. "My mother, whose maiden name was Margaret Amanda Mann, was born in Alabama on February 17, 1850, and was an only child." Monsignor Lane's grandfather, General Joseph Lane, first territorial governor of Oregon, was born on December 14, 1801, in North Carolina. His parents moved to Kentucky when he was a child. His father, John Lane, served in the Revolutionary War. When Joseph Lane was 20 he married Miss Polly Hart and moved to Indiana. He was elected to the legislature shortly after his 21st birthday and served several terms. When the Mexican War started he resigned from the Indiana senate and enlisted. He was elected colonel and later promoted to brigadier general. He was wounded twice and a horse was shot under him while serving under Taylor. When Lincoln refused appointment as governor of Oregon Territory, Lane was offered the place by Polk. He received his commission on August 18, 1848. He came overland, arriving in Oregon City on March 3, 1849. He was elected delegate in Congress in 1851. In 1853 President Pierce appointed him governor of Oregon, but he resigned shortly to become a candidate for delegate in Congress. He was elected, but Indians had broken out in Southern Oregon and he was appointed brigadier general of Oregon forces and went to Southern Oregon and was wounded in the battle of Table Rock. He was reelected a delegate in Congress in 1855 and 1857. He was one of Oregon's first United States Senators. He was nominated for Vice President in 1856, with John C. Breckinridge. General Lane and his wife took a donation land claim of 640 acres two and a half miles from Roseburg in 1851. He died on this farm in the spring of 1881. Oregon Journal, Portland, March 14, 1937, page 50 Last revised February 25, 2024 |
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