Letters and Journals of Narcissa Whitman - Part 3



WI-EL-ET-POO. 
March 30, 1837
Dear Parents, Brothers and Sisters:
Again I can speak of the goodness and mercy of the Lord to us in an 
especial manner. On the evening of my birthday, March 14th, we received 
the gift of a little daughter-a treasure invaluable. During the winter my 
health was very good, so as to be able to do my work. About a week before 
her birth, I was afflicted with an inflammatory rash, which confined me 
mostly to my room. After repeated bleeding, it abated very considerably. 
Mrs. Pambrun had been with me two weeks previous to this, and has been 
much out of health. She, with my husband, dressed the babe. It would have 
made you smile to see them work over the little creature. Mrs. P. never 
saw one dressed before as we dress them, having been accustomed to dress 
her own in the native style. I was able to lend a helping hand and arrange 
the clothes for them, etc. Between us all, it was done very well. She 
slept very quiet that night, but the next night she cried very hard. All 
the reason of it was that she was hungry, and we did not think to feed her 
soon enough. On the second day I dressed her alone, sitting in the bed, 
and have ever since. I slept but little the two first nights, but since 
have got my usual sleep. She is a very quiet child, both night and day-
sleeps all night without nursing more than once, sometimes not at all.

Thus you see, beloved sisters, how the missionary does in heathen lands. 
No mother, no sister, to relieve me of a single care-only an affectionate 
husband, who, as a physician and nurse, exceeds all I ever knew. He was 
excessively pressed with care and labor during the whole time of my 
confinement. I received all the attention I required of him. He had my 
washing and the cooking to do for the family. (Mrs. P. had two children 
with her, and, on account of her ill health, she could not give much 
assistance.) During the same week we were thronged with company, for the 
whole camp of Indians has arrived. Mr. Gray spent several days with us at 
this time; also, Mr. Pambrun and Mr. Ermatinger paid us a visit on Friday, 
and left on Saturday. All this, with the care of four men and two boys 
that know little or nothing about work, just at the commencement of 
plowing, etc., requires many steps for one man alone. It was a very great 
mercy that I have been able to take the whole care of my babe, and that 
she is so well and quiet. The little stranger is visited daily by the 
chiefs and principal men in camp, and the women throng the house 
continually, waiting an opportunity to see her. Her whole appearance is so 
new to them. Her complexion, her size and dress, etc., all excite a deal 
of wonder; for they never raise a child here except they are lashed tight 
to a board, and the girls' heads undergo the flattening process. I have 
not yet described my babe to you. I think her grandmother would willingly 
own her as one of her number of babies, could she see her. Her hair is a 
light brown, and we think will be like her aunts Jane and Harriet. She is 
plump and large, holds her head up finely, and looks about considerably. 
She weighs ten pounds. Fee-low-ki-ke, a kind, friendly Indian, called to 
see her the next day after she was born. Said she was a Cayuse te-mi 
(Cayuse girl), because she was born on Cayuse wai-tis (Cayuse land). He 
told us her arrival was expected by all the people of the country-the Nez 
Perces, Cayuses and Walla Wallapoos Indians, and, now she has arrived, it 
would soon be heard of by them all, and we must write to our land and tell 
our parents and friends of it. The whole tribe are highly pleased because 
we allow her to be called a Cayuse girl. We have beautiful weather here 
this month. Travel here is as pleasant as May in New York.


WIELETPOO
June 25th, 1839
My Dear Sister:
Your letter of April inst. I received but a few days ago, or it would have 
been answered much sooner. You make some important inquiries concerning my 
treatment of my precious child, Alice Clarissa, now laying by me a 
lifeless lump of clay. Yes, of her I loved and watched so tenderly, I am 
bereaved. My Jesus in love to her and us has taken her to himself.

Last Sabbath, blooming in health, cheerful, and happy in herself and in 
the society of her much loved parents, yet in one moment she disappeared, 
went to the river with two cups to get some water for the table, fell in 
and was drowned. Mysterious event! We can in no way account for the 
circumstances connected with it, otherwise than that the Lord meant it 
should be so, Husband and I were both engaged in reading. She had just a 
few minutes before been reading to her father; had got down out of his 
lap, and as my impression, was amusing herself by the door in the yard. 
After a few moments, not hearing her voice, I sent Margaret to search for 
her. She did not find her readily, and instead of coming to me to tell 
that she had not found her, she went to the garden to get some radishes 
for supper; on seeing her pass to the water to wash them, I looked to see 
if Alice was with her, but saw that she was not. That moment I began to be 
alarmed for Mungo had just been in and said there were two cups in the 
river. We immediately inquired for her, but no one had seen her. We then 
concluded she must be in the river. We searched down the river, and up and 
down again in wild dismay, but could not find her for a long time. Several 
were in the river searching far down. By this time we gave her up for 
dead. At last an old Indian got into the river where she fell in and 
looked along by the shore and found her a short distance below. But it was 
too late; she was dead. We made every effort possible to bring her to 
life, but all was in vain. On hearing that the cups were in the river, I 
resolved in my mind how they could get there, for we had not missed them. 
By the time I reached the water-side and saw where they were, it came to 
my recollection that I had a glimpse of her entering the house and saying, 
with her usual glee, "Ha, he, supper is most ready" (for the table had 
just been set), "let Alice get some water," at the same time taking two 
cups from the table and disappearing. Being absorbed in reading I did not 
see her or thank anything about her-which way she went to get her water. I 
had never known her to go to the river or to appear at all venturesome 
until within a week past. Previous to this she has been much afraid to go 
near the water anywhere, for her father had once put her in, which so 
effectually frightened her that we had lost that feeling of anxiety for 
her in a measure on its account. But she had gone; yes, and because my 
Saviour would have it so. He saw it necessary to afflict us, and has taken 
her away. Now we see how much we loved her, and you know the blessed 
Saviour will not have His children bestow and undue attachment upon 
creature objects without reminding us of His own superior claim upon 
affections. Take warning, dear sister, by our bereavement that you do not 
let your dear babe get between your heart and the Saviour, for you like 
us, are solitary and alone and in almost the dangerous necessity of loving 
too ardently the precious gift, to the neglect of the giver. 

Saturday evening, 29,-After ceasing to restore our dear babe to life, we 
immediately sent for Brother Spaulding and others to come and sympathize 
and assist in committing to the grave her earthly remains. Tuesday 
afternoon Mr. Hall reached here. Mr. S. and wife took a boat and came down 
the river to Walla Walla, and reached here Thursday morning, nine o'clock, 
and we buried her that afternoon, just four days from the time her happy 
spirit took its flight to the bosom of her Saviour. When I write again, I 
will give you some particulars of her short life, which are deeply 
interesting to me, and will be to you, I trust, for you, too, are 
acquainted with a mother's feelings and a mother's heart.

Probably we may return to Clearwater with Brother and Sister S., as it is 
necessary for my husband to go on business for the mission. Dear sister, 
do pray for me in this trying bereavement, for supporting grace to bear 
without murmuring thought, the dealings of the blessed God toward us, and 
that it may sanctified to the good of our souls and of these heathen 
around us.

O! on what a tender thread hangs these mortal frames, and how soon we 
vanish and are gone. She will not come to me, but I shall soon go to her. 
Let me speak to you of the great mercy of my Redeemer toward one so 
unworthy. You know not, neither can I tell you, how much He comforts and 
sustains me in this trying moment. He enables me to say, "The Lord gave 
and the Lord hath taken away, blessed, ever blessed, be the name of the 
Lord."

Sister Spaulding sends love to you and will write you soon.

In haste, as ever your affectionate, but now afflicted sister in Christ,

NARCISSA WHITMAN.


Rev. Mrs. H.K.W. Perkins, Wascopum
WIELETPOO
May 2, 1840
My Dear Mother:
I cannot describe how much I have longed to see you of late. I have felt 
the want of your sympathy, your presence and counsel more than ever. One 
reason doubtless is it has been so long since I have received a single 
letter from any one of the dear friends at home. Could they know how I 
feel and how much good their letters do me, they would all of them write a 
great deal and write often, too, at least every month or two, and sent to 
Boston and to Westport, to the care of Rev. Joseph McCoy; they would 
surely reach us. Our associates receive them in great numbers, which does 
not make us feel any better for ourselves. We are daily expecting the 
arrival of Mr. Lee's ship, laden with associates for that mission, and we 
have the encouragement from the board to expect four or five families for 
our own mission. By them we hope to receive letters in abundance. It is a 
consoling thought to us that we are permitted the prospect of having other 
fellow laborers to join us again so soon. We feel that we cannot do our 
work too fast to save the Indian-the hunted, despised and unprotected 
Indian-from entire extinction.

A tide of immigration appears to be moving this way rapidly. What a few 
years will bring forth we know not. A great change has taken place even 
since we first entered the country, and we have a reason to believe it 
will stop here. Instead of two lonely American females we now number 
fourteen, and soon may twenty or _______ more, if reports are true. We are 
emphatically situated on the highway between the states and the Columbia 
River, and are a testing place for the weary travelers, consequently a 
greater burden rests upon us than upon any of our associates-to be always 
ready. And doubtless many of those who are coming to this mission their 
resting place will be with us until they seek and find homes of their own 
among the solitary wilds of Oregon.

Could dear mother know how I have been situated the two winters past, 
especially winter before last, I know she would pity me. I often think how 
disagreeable it used to be to her feelings to do her cooking in the 
presence of men-sitting about the room. This I have had to bear ever since 
I have been here-at times it has seemed as if I could not endure it any 
longer. It has been the more trying because our house has been so 
miserable and cold-small and inconvenient for us-many people as have lived 
in it. But the greatest trial to a woman's feelings is to have her cooking 
and eating room always filled with four or five or more Indians-men-
especially at meal time, but we hope this trial is nearly done, for when 
we get into our other house we have a room there we devote to them 
especially, and shall not permit them to go into the other part of the 
house at all. They are so filthy they make a great deal of cleaning 
wherever they go, and this wears out a woman very fast. We must clean 
after them, for we have come to elevate them and not to suffer ourselves 
to sink down to their standard. I hardly know how to describe my feelings 
at the prospect of a clean, comfortable house, and one large enough so 
that I can find a closet to pray in.

As a specimen I will relate a circumstance that occurred this spring. When 
the people began to return from their winter quarters, we told them it 
would be good for them to build a large house (which they often do by 
putting several lodges together) where it would be convenient for all to 
attend worship and not meet in the open air. They said they should not do 
it, but would worship in our new house and asked us if there were not 
houses in heaven to worship in. We told them our house was to live in and 
we could not have them worship there for they would make it so dirty and 
fill it so full of fleas that we could not live in it. We said to them 
further, that they did not help us build it and that people in other 
places build their houses of worship and did not let one man do it all 
alone, and urged them to join together by and by and build one for 
themselves of adobe. But it was of no avail to them; they murmured still 
and said we must pay them for their land we lived on. Something of this 
kind is occurring almost all the time when certain individuals are here; 
such as complaining because we do not feed them more, or that we will not 
let them run all over the house, etc., etc.

They are an exceedingly proud, haughty and insolent people, and keep us 
constantly upon the stretch after patience and forbearance. We feed them 
far more than any of our associates do their people, yet they will not be 
satisfied. Notwithstanding all this, there are many redeeming qualities in 
them, else we should have been discouraged long ago. We are more and more 
encouraged the longer we stay among them.

They are becoming quite independent in cultivation and make all their 
ground look as clean and mellow as a garden. Great numbers of them 
cultivate, and with but a single horse will take any plow we have, however 
large, and do their own ploughing. They have a great thirst for hogs, hens 
and cattle, and several of them have obtained them already.

Our greatest desire and anxiety is to see them becoming true Christians. 
For this we labor and pray, and trust in God for the blessing on our 
labors. But the labor is great and we are weak and feeble, and sometimes 
are ready to faint. We need the prayers of our Christian friends at home 
and I trust we have them. Could they know just how we are situated and all 
our discouragement I know they would pray more ardently for us and more 
importunately for us.

Dear father, I will relate one more anecdote and then must close. Te-lou-
ki-ke said to my husband this morning: "Why do you take your wife with you 
to Mr. Walker's? Why do you not go alone? You see I am here without my 
wife; why do you not go alone? You see I am here without my wife; why do 
you always want to take your wife with you when you go from home? What do 
you make so much of her for?" He told him it was good for me to go with 
him; that we were one, and that wives were given as companions. He replied 
"that it was so with Adam because a rib was taken from him to make his 
wife, but it was not so now; it was different with us." This has often 
been brought up by them; the way I am treated, and contrasted with 
themselves; they do not like to have it so; their consciences are troubled 
about it. May they be more and more so until a reformation is made among 
them.

Plan of the mission house at Wieletpoo, drawn by Asabel Munger. We have 
made it larger than it was originally intended at the suggestion of Mr. 
Hall, so as to be more convenient to accommodate the general meeting of 
the mission.

A-Our own sleeping room. B-Parlor. C-Dining Hall. D-Indian Hall. E-
Kitchen. F-Pantry. G-Sleeping room for Joseph and wife, our domestics. H-
Cellar and room above for boys. I-Storehouse. K-Hen house. LL-Privy house-
double. W-Clothes press. X-Chest of drawers set in the wall. P-Book case. 
O-Show case for natural curiosities, and the lower part for bed and table 
linen. The upper part of both of glass; also set in the wall. R-Cupboard. 
T-Stairs. U-Medicine case. V-Stove. Seven large windows, the remainder are 
small. A, I and K are yet to be built, probably this summer. M-Turkey 
house of wood and yard. This is all we have made.

We give you the probable plan of our yard, which we need very much; but it 
is yet to be built. N is the place where Alice Clarissa fell into the 
river, and but a short distance below, she was found. S is in the 
direction of her little grave, further off than is represented by this 
view. The exterior does not look as well as the interior. The roof is made 
of poles, straw and dirt thrown upon the top. It will look better when it 
is whitewashed on the outside. We paint the wood work a light slate color; 
the front door, outside, green; the floors with yellow ochre; pantry 
shelves the same.

I do not know how many of my letters reach home or whether any of them. I 
write and send twice a year to some of them. I hope all who write will be 
careful to mention the reception of all our letters, so then we shall know 
what ones fail and what reach you.

Please give our love to all our friends who are interested in us, and 
accept much for dear father, mother and all the family.

Your affectionate daughter,

NARCISSA WHITMAN.


WIELETPOO. OREGON TERRITORY
October 1, 1841
My Dear Jane:
I wrote you a folio sheet, as full as I could write it, to you and Edward, 
and sent it across the mountains with the almost certain assurance that it 
would reach you, at least by this time, if not sooner. But it has 
returned, with all the other letters we sent that way. We have now sent 
all our spring letters to Vancouver, to go by sea, so that it is doubtful 
when you will get them, if at all. I mentioned in my letter to you that 
Mr. Munger had become unbalanced in his mind, and it was thought best for 
him to return to his friends in the States. He had been prevailed upon to 
go, and accordingly started, with his wife and one child, to go across the 
mountains. To them we committed our letters, with the expectation that 
they would pass through Quincy on their way to Oberlin. They accompanied 
the H.H.B. Company's party to Fort Hall, and from thence to the place of 
the American Rendezvous, on Green River, and found that no party had come 
up from the States, and, from all that they could learn, no one was 
expected. They accordingly returned to Fort Hall, and concluded that there 
was no other alternative but to retrace their steps to this country again. 
Mr. M. was happy in doing so, but his poor wife did it very reluctantly, 
for her heart was very much set on going to her friends. They came down 
before the main party, and brought back our letters with them. They had 
not retraced their steps far before a large party of emigrants and Jesuits 
arrived from the States. But no one brought any letters from you or 
Edward; consequently, I was greatly disappointed, and must wait another 
year before hearing from you again.

The emigrants were twenty-four in number-two families, with small 
children, from Missouri. This company was much larger when they started. 
About thirty went another route, to California. The company of Jesuits 
were twelve in number, consisting of three priests, three novitiates, four 
laborers, and their pilot, started from St. Louis, one they found on their 
way. Their pilot is Fitzpatrick, the same person that commanded the party 
we came with from the States. This company came as far as Fort Hall. They 
go with the Indians to the Flathead country, or Pend d'Oreille. It is not 
known where they will settle, but it is reported that they expect to 
locate themselves somewhere in that region, and in the same language that 
part of our mission are occupying.

Now we have Catholics on both sides of us, and, we may say, right in our 
midst, for Mr. Pambrun, while he was alive, failed not to secure one of 
the principal Indians of this tribe to that religion, and had his family 
baptized. He acts upon his band, and holds from us many who would be glad 
to come and hear us. And then, the Indians are acted upon constantly 
through the servants of the Company, who are all, scarcely without 
exception, Catholics.

We feel no disposition to retreat from our work, but hope to stand our 
ground, if such a thing is possible. Fitzpatrick is expected here when he 
has accomplished his piloting for that company, and is said to return to 
St. Louis this fall; if so, I hope to send this by him. 

I may have mentioned the death of our kind neighbor at Walla Walla, Mr. 
Pambrun, in my letter this spring; although it was written before it 
transpired, yet it was not sent until afterwards. Early in May he received 
an injury from his horse, which caused his death in four days after he was 
hurt. Husband was with him all the time during his sickness and death. It 
was a most distressing scene. He was only anxious to die that he might be 
relieved of pain.

A short time before he was sick he got his mind upon marrying his daughter 
to one of our mission. I mean our Brother Rogers, who came out with the 
last reinforcement. This was a great trial to us, for we did not consider 
her worthy of him, besides being a half breed and a Catholic. She has had 
no education, except barely to learn to read and write. It was his subject 
of conversation by day and by night while he was alive, and in his will he 
appropriated more to her on his account, than to his other children, 
besides giving him much of his personal property, and willing him a 
hundred pounds sterling. This was that his wife and children might have a 
good home. In his mind the bargain was completed, and all the arrangements 
made, before he died. He was riding out with Brother Rogers when he was 
hurt. After his death the family was removed to Vancouver. We have since 
learned that she refused to marry Mr. Rogers, and he has returned the 
property willed to him. We think he has no reason to regret it on his own 
account. But the consequence of it all has been it has taken Brother R. 
out of our mission, and he has gone to settle for himself on the 
Willamette, or in that region.

We regret the loss very much, as he was a valuable member of our mission. 
This was not the only reason of his leaving us. He was stationed at 
Lapwai, with Mr. Spaulding, and could not be contented to remain in that 
part of the mission after Mr. Smith left.


Feb. 2, 1842
Dear Jane:
Since I commenced this letter much has transpired of deep interest, and is 
constantly transpiring that is of importance to this country, and those 
who are interested in her welfare. But I must talk to you a little before 
I tell about things here. I have just read your letter again, written in 
March, 1840, and it is now '42, and do you not think that is a long while 
to wait for letters from one's beloved sisters and friends? You have 
placed yourself so near us, I had hoped to receive letters from you every 
year, and even now I must wait until September before I can expect to hear 
from you again. Do, dear sister and brother, write a large parcel and have 
them ready-do not wait for an opportunity. It would be so comforting to 
get the history of you from one month to another, and from year to year. 
It would be such a treat that I should cry for joy over them. I suppose 
you feel the same about us. I write you all I possibly can-all that poor 
health and numerous cares will admit of. Besides, I have so many to write 
to, both here as well as to friends at home.

I wish you were here to comfort me with your society and aid me with your 
labors, for there is more work to do than we can do, although it is not 
with me now as it has been ever since we have been here. I am blessed with 
an excellent associate in Sister Gray, who is now located here. She is a 
sister, indeed. I love her much. It is not good to be alone-so many cares 
will wear out the health and life of anyone, as we feel ours to be 
already, although we are recruiting some this winter.

Jane, I hear things about you that I do not like to hear. Sister L. says 
you watch sick folks a great deal. You must stop it, or you will repent it 
when your health fails, and it will fail-you cannot always endure. Take 
care of yourself, for I want you to come here when you are through your 
care of Edward, if you do not marry. What do you think about it? How would 
you like to come? When I know your mind we can then make arrangements for 
your coming, by writing to the Board, etc. The missionary work is hard 
work, both for a body and mind, and requires health and strength. You say, 
"it is delightful work." So it is, when faith and love are in lively 
exercise, but where these are not in lively exercise, the work becomes 
burdensome, especially if health fails.

Feb. 4th.-I should like to give you the transactions of this day, and will 
if I can gather strength to do it. I was sick last night, with a severe 
headache, and have been so frightened to-day that I have not much strength 
of nerve left. The Indians are just now returning from their wintering 
quarters, and some of the Nez Perces have been serving the devil 
faithfully, especially those who spent their winter on the Columbia River 
below, in the region of the Des Chutes and Dalles. A young Nez Perces that 
had been to the Red River school died last summer. A brother of his, and 
three other principal men, managed to frighten the River Indians, as being 
the cause of his death, and compelled them to give many horses and much 
property, as a compensation, to keep them from other acts of violence upon 
them. Husband, learning of their base conduct, took advantage of their 
passing, on their way to Mr. S.'s station, to reprove them for what they 
had done. These men are all firm believers in the te-wats, or medicine 
men. This is a crying sin among them. They believe that the te-wat can 
kill or make alive at his pleasure.

Yesterday the mother of the young man that died was in to see me. She is 
an old medicine-woman, and as she had some of the horses and property thus 
basely obtained husband talked to her about it and told her it was her 
duty to give them back to those who stole them, as they had distributed 
among many. She at last said she would do it. Her talk aroused two others, 
as they were all that were here, who came in last evening and received the 
same plain admonition. They did not like such plain talk. They are great 
worshipers or at least feel and profess to be, and the man who would 
believe that they could do such great wickedness, and tell them of it and 
warn them of the consequences, was a bad man and would go to hell. One of 
them, more daring than the others, gathered twelve or fourteen of his 
friends and came in the forenoon to frighten us. One had a bow and arrows 
with iron points; another had a rope and another had the war club. When 
they first made their appearance these things were concealed under their 
blankets. The head man commenced the talk by saying that he was always 
good and that husband was bad and was always talking bad to them; that he 
had brought in his friends that were very powerful. This he said to 
frighten us and excite his allies. Soon husband spoke and told him to 
stop, and began to explain the conversation of last night. After a little, 
one of them took down a hair rope that was hanging near, and threw it down 
near the doctor, one of them that stood near put his foot on it. I began 
to be suspicious of that movement and thought they were intending to tie 
him. I told husband it was our rope and he picked it up and sent it out of 
the room. Soon a tall Indian advanced as the conversation increased in 
spirit-under his blanket I saw another rope and one behind him had a bow 
and arrows. I asked husband if I had not better call help, he said no, he 
was not afraid. I had not yet discovered the war club, but I had seen 
enough to excite my fears greatly. I went into another room, as slyly as I 
could, and called Packet, who is living in the Indian rooms, and told him 
what was going on; he went and got two other men and came in and seated 
themselves. (The gathering was in the kitchen.) The conversation continued 
and they soon saw that they had been led wrong by their leader, and their 
excitement died away. A native woman, a friend of ours, was in when they 
came in and I had just begun to read a chapter of the translation of 
Matthew to her. She was in yesterday, also, and was appealed to as a 
witness of what was said yesterday and was of service in quelling their 
rages. One of our men who came in first discovered the club, and the 
Indian was asked, when the excitement was over, what he came in with a 
club for? He flushed and put it around under his blanket out of sight. 
They all went away, ashamed of themselves and defeated. Their aim, 
doubtless, was to frighten us and cause the doctor to take back what he 
said yesterday; but that he would not do, but still said to them if he did 
not tell them plainly of their sins the Lord would be displeased with 
them. They said it would not do for him to talk so to Ap-ash-wa-kai-kin, 
their leader in wickedness, and the brother of the deceased young man; if 
he did, he would fight him. He told him that it was his duty to tell him 
that he had done wrong, and that he, as well as they, must make 
restitution to those whom they had so unjustly injured, and that he should 
not hesitate to tell them so.

March 23.-Him-in-il-ip-il-ip, one of the two that was so excited about his 
bad conduct being told him so plainly, promised before he left the place 
that he would restore the property he had so unjustly taken. About two or 
three weeks after the above transaction Ap-ash-wa-kai-kin came into camp. 
Husband was away at the time-he had gone about a day's ride to visit a 
sick woman, the wife of the Catholic, and spent the Sabbath with them, as 
there were many Indians there. He did not, however, after his return, find 
it convenient to converse with him under two or three days. But it was 
like a thunder-bolt to him, for it appeared that no one had told him of 
the transactions of the others. It was in the evening and we were alone 
with him-he raged and threatened and said he wondered how they had allowed 
him to escape-although husband had told him as mildly and affectionately 
as possible. He soon flew out of the house in great anger-leaving the door 
open behind him and went to his lodge and hid himself from us for several 
days. Before this conversation took place, he was eager to obtain a 
plough, but husband wished to see this business settled before he could 
oblige him. He finally promised before he left the place that he, also, 
would make restitution, and parted good friends.

I cannot give you the outrages of last fall. I have written them to our 
dear parents, if it reached them you will doubtless have the perusal of 
it. That, with this, will give you some idea what we have to meet with, 
but we may say that these are no trials, comparatively, to what they would 
be if the full use of ardent spirits was introduced among them.

May 17th.-The time has at length arrived for sending off our letters, and 
it is the last moment. I have not written to any of our beloved friends in 
Angelica, you must send these letters when you have an opportunity.

Our general meeting is now convened. All the families of the mission are 
here except Mr. Spaulding's who refused to attend. We are in deep waters, 
but we hope this meeting will decide our case as a mission in some way 
that will be a relief to our anxious minds. I cannot say much now, but the 
time will come when I hope to be able to speak freely.

Dear husband has not written a single letter to send home, nor can he, his 
mind is filled with so much labor, care and responsibility. He often 
speaks of you, but cannot write.

Mr. Munger, the man I wrote about in my letters of last spring as being 
deranged, has at last killed himself. H-after driving two nails in his 
left hand-drew out a bed of hot coals and laid himself down upon it, 
thrusting his hand into the hottest part of the fire and burnt it to a 
crisp, and died four days after. After they returned they went on to the 
Willamette, because we did not think it safe for him to remain here. This 
took place the last of December. I cannot enter into particulars as I 
would be glad to. My time, strength and thought are all occupied with the 
care of company, my children and the events of the meeting.

We have, I mean Mr. Spaulding and us, just received a box of clothing from 
Prattsburgh.

I have seen only one letter and that is a joint letter to both families 
from O. L. Porter. By some hints in that and from other sources we learn 
that there is a party expected from that place to come out to our help, 
and perhaps to come next year. If it is so, it is through Mr. S.'s 
influence, unbeknown to the mission. If they come out unconnected with the 
American Board, it will be very trying to both us and them. Those who have 
already come can but just live, and I believe are obliged to abandon their 
object, because in this country it is as much as we can do to take care of 
ourselves if we have no help about.

I received a letter from H.P. and Livonia Prentiss, and right glad was I 
for it. It is the first we have received from them since we have been 
here. The box was directed to Mr. S. and consequently was not opened until 
it went to his place, and he delayed sending the things and letters so 
long and gave me no information of it until the time had arrived to send 
our letters off, consequently I have written only one letter to P. where I 
should have been glad to have written several.

What I have written in the first part of this sheet about our Brother 
Rogers, keep to yourselves. He is here now and we would be glad to have 
him join us again if the circumstances of the mission were a little 
different.

I send this letter by Edward Rogers, a young man who came out last fall 
and spent the winter with us. He had partly promised to call on you; I 
hope he will.

I sent Edward Mr. Smith's address on "The Mission Character." I hope he 
will read it very attentively and often; it is all true, and what he will 
have to meet if he becomes a missionary.

Please give my love to Mr. and Mrs. Beardsley. It would cheer me much if 
they would write us.

Mr. Clarke and all his party are in the lower country.

Mr. Littlejohn has given up going home-he has not the means. We want him 
to come back and help us and have given him the invitation. 

Love from us both to Jane and Edward.

Your sister, as ever,

NARCISSA.

Love to dear father and mother, and all the dear ones we love. 

Farewell, N.W.


Miss Jane Prentiss,
Quincy, Illinois, U.S.A.
(Favor of Mr. Edward Rogers.)
WAIILATPU
March 1st, 1842.
Mr. Dear Jane and Edward:
I was busy all the forenoon in preparing my husband for his departure. He 
left about two o'clock p.m. to go on a professional visit to Brother 
Walker's, and I am once more left alone in this house with no other 
company than my two little half-breed girls, Mary Ann Bridger and Helen 
Marr Meek. Since he left I have copied a letter of one sheet and a half 
for him to Brother Spaulding and written a short one to Sister S., besides 
which kept me until nearly dark, although I wrote all with all my might, 
for we had detained an Indian who was going that way, to take them, and 
before I could get them completed he began to be quite impatient. I, 
however, pacified him by giving him something to eat to beguile his time, 
and when he left gave him a good piece of bread to eat on the way. The 
Indians do us many favours in this way, and get as many from us in return, 
for they are always glad of something from us to eat on the way. Since I 
got my letters off I regulated my house some, got my own and my little 
girl's supper and some toast and tea for a sick man who has been here a 
few days, from Walla Walla to be doctored; attended family worship and put 
my little girls to bed, and have set me down to write a letter to Jane and 
Edward, my dear brother and sister that I left at home in Angelica more 
than six years ago. Since or just as I seated myself to write, Brother 
Gray came in to get some medicine for the sick man. He is in Packet's 
lodge a few steps from the door, and he is the man who attends to my 
wants, such as milking, getting water, wood, etc. He is a half-breed from 
the east side of the mountains and was brought up at Harmony mission, but 
came to the mountains about eight years ago and has since become a 
Catholic. Brother Gray has built him a new house and it is quite a piece 
from us. Thus lonely situated, what would be the enjoyment to me if E. and 
J. would come in and enjoy my solitude with me. Surely solitude would 
quickly vanish, as it almost appears to, even while I am writing. Jane, I 
wish you were here to sleep with me, I am such a timid creature about 
sleeping alone that sometimes I suffer considerably, especially since my 
health has been not very good. It, however, gives me the opportunity for 
the exercise of greater trust and confidence in my heavenly protector in 
whose hands I am always safe and happy when I feel myself there. My eyes 
are much weaker than when I left home and no wonder, for I have so much 
use for them. I am at times obliged to use the spectacles Brother J. G. so 
kindly furnished me. I do not know what I could do without them; so much 
writing as we have to do, both in our own language and the Nez Perces; 
and, besides, we have no way to feast our minds with knowledge necessary 
for health and spirituality without reading, and here the strength of the 
eyes are taxed again.

Out of compassion to my eyes and exhausted frame, dear ones, I must bid 
you good night. You may hear from me to-morrow, perhaps, if I am not 
interrupted with company.

2d-After attending to the duties of the morning, and as I was nearly done 
hearing my children read, two native women came in bringing a miserable 
looking child, a boy between three and four years old, and wished me to 
take him. He is nearly naked, and they said his mother had thrown him away 
and gone off with another Indian. His father is a Spaniard and is in the 
mountains. It has been living with its grandmother the winter past, who is 
an old and adulterous woman and has no compassion for it. Its mother has 
several others by different white men, and one by an Indian, who are 
treated miserably and scarcely subsist. My feelings were greatly excited 
for the poor child and felt a great disposition to take him. Soon after 
the old grandmother came in and said she would take him to Walla Walla and 
dispose of him, there and accordingly took him away. Some of the women who 
were in, compassionated his case and followed after her and would not let 
her take him away, and returned with him again this eve to see what I 
would do about him. I told her I could not tell because my husband was 
gone. What I fear most is that after I have kept him awhile some of his 
relatives will come and take him away and my labour will be lost or worse 
than lost. I, however, told them they might take him away and bring him 
again in the morning, and in the meantime I would think about it. The care 
of such a child is very great at first-dirty, covered with body and head 
lice and starved-his clothing is a part of a skin dress that does not half 
cover his nakedness, and a small bit of skin over his shoulders.

Helen was in the same condition when I took her, and it was a long and 
tedious task to change her habits, young as she was, but little more than 
two years old. She was so stubborn and fretful and wanted to cry all the 
time if she could not have her own way. We have so subdued her that now 
she is a comfort to us, although she requires tight reins constantly.

Mary Ann is of a mild disposition and easily governed and makes but little 
trouble. She came here last August. Helen has been here nearly a year and 
a half. The Lord has taken our own dear child away so that we may care for 
the poor outcasts of the country and suffering children. We confine them 
altogether to English and do not allow them to speak a word of Nez Perces.

Read a portion of the Scriptures to the women who were in today, and 
talked awhile with them. Baked bread and crackers today, and made two rag 
babies for my little girls. I keep them in the house most of the time to 
keep them away from the natives, and find it difficult to employ their 
time when I wish to be engaged with the women. They have a great 
disposition to take a piece of board or a stick and carry it around on 
their backs, if I would let them, for a baby, so I thought I would make 
them something that would change their taste a little. You wonder, I 
suppose, what looking objects Narcissa would make. No matter how they 
look, so long as it is a piece of cloth rolled up with eyes, nose and 
mouth marked on it with a pen, it answers every purpose. They caress them 
and carry them about the room at a great rate, and are as happy as need 
be. So much for my children.

I have not told you that we have a cooking stove, sent us from the Board, 
which is a great comfort to us this winter, and enables me to do my work 
with comparative ease, now that I have no domestic help. 

We have had but very little snow and cold this winter in this valley. The 
thermometer has not been lower than 20 below freezing; but in every 
direction from us there has been an unusual quantity of snow, and it still 
remains. Husband expects to find snow beyond the Snake river, which he 
would cross today if he has been prospered, and may perhaps be obliged to 
make snow shoes to travel with. Last night was a very windy night, and the 
same today, but it is still now. Brother Walker is situated directly north 
of us, so that it is not likely that the snow will decrease any in going. 
It is uncertain when he will return if prospered and not hindered with the 
snow. He expects to be gone only four weeks. May the Lord preserve and 
return him in safety and in His own time, and keep me from anxiety 
concerning him. Goodnight, J. and E.

3d.-Dear Jane, this has been washing day, and I have cleaned house some; 
had a native woman to help me that does the hardest part. I am unable to 
do my heavy work and have been for two years past.

This evening an Indian has been in who has been away all winter. I have 
been reading to him the fifth chapter of Matthew. Every word of it seemed 
to sink deep into his heart; and O may it prove a savour of life to his 
soul. He thinks he is a Christian, but we fear to the contrary. His mind 
is somewhat waked up about his living with two wives. I would not east him 
any, but urged him to do his duty. Others are feeling upon the subject, 
particularly the women; and why should they not feel?-they are the 
sufferers.

The little boy was brought to me again this morning and I could not shut 
my heart against him. I washed him, oiled and bound up his wounds, and 
dressed him and cleaned his head of lice. Before he came his hair was cut 
close to his head and a strip as wide as your finger was shaved from ear 
to ear, and also from his forehead to his neck, crossing the other at 
right angles. This the boys had done to make him look ridiculous. He had a 
burn on his foot where they said he had been pushed into the fire for the 
purpose of gratifying their malicious feelings, and because he was 
friendless. He feels, however, as if he had got into a strange place, ad 
has tried to run away once or twice. He will soon get accustomed, I think, 
and be happy, if I can keep him away from the native children. So much 
about the boy Marshall. I can write no more tonight.

4th.-There has been almost constant high wind ever since husband left and 
increasingly cold. Feel considerably anxious concerning him, lest the deep 
snow and cold may make his journey a severe one. At the best it is very 
wearing to nature to travel in this country. He never has been obliged to 
encounter so much snow before, and I do not know how it will affect him. 
He is a courageous man, and it is well that he is so to be a physician in 
this country. Common obstacles never affect him; he goes ahead when duty 
calls. Jane and Edward, you know but little about your brother Marcus, and 
all I can tell you about him at this time is that he is a bundle of 
thoughts.

Met this afternoon for a female prayer meeting; only two of us-Sister Gray 
and myself-yet they are precious seasons to us, especially when Jesus 
meets with us, as He often does. I am blessed with a lovely sister and an 
excellent associate in Sister Gray, and I trust that I am in some measure 
thankful, for I have found by experience that it is not good to be alone 
in our cares and labours. 

9th.-Last evening received a letter from Sister Walker dated Feb. 21st, in 
which she expresses some fears lest husband should not arrive in season on 
account of the deep snow. The probability is that he has had as much as 
one day on snow shoes if not more. We are having our winter now, both of 
cold and snow. During the last twenty-four hours there has been quite a 
heavy fall of snow in the valley, and it is doubtless doubled in the 
mountains.

Last eve I spent at Bro. Gray's, after the monthly concert. We opened some 
boxes that have just arrived from the Board to the mission, containing 
carding, spinning and weaving apparatus, clothing and books. Our goods 
often get wet in coming up the river, and we are often obliged to open, 
dry and repack again. We have abundant evidence that our Christian friends 
in the States have not forgotten us, by the donations we receive from time 
to time. My work last eve was such cold and damp work that it gave me many 
rheumatic pains all night, and besides it took us so long that I feel 
unable to write much more tonight. There is still another evening's work 
of the same kind, which must be done as soon as tomorrow. We take the eve 
because Bro. G. has so much labour during the day, and then our children 
are all in bed. Goodnight, Jane.

9th.-While I was thinking about preparing to retire to rest last eve, Bro. 
Gray came in to see if I could go over and see and aid in the arrangement 
of the other boxes. I finally mustered courage to go, because they were 
anxious to have it out of the way. Found it an easier job than was 
expected, because there was but one that needed drying.

Attended maternal meeting this afternoon. Sister G. and I make all the 
effort our time and means will permit to edify and instruct ourselves in 
our responsible maternal duties. Read this p.m. the report of the New York 
City Association for 1840, and what a feast it was to us! It is a 
comforting thought to us in a desert land to know that we are so kindly 
remembered by sister Associations in our beloved land. But the constant 
watch and care and anxiety of a missionary mother cannot be known by them 
except by experience. Sister G. has two of her own and I have three half-
breeds. I believe I feel all the care and watchfulness over them that I 
should is they were my own. I am sure they are a double tax upon my 
patience and perseverance, particularly Helen; she wants to rule every one 
she sees. She keeps me on guard continually lest she should get the upper 
hand of me. The little boy appears to be of a pretty good disposition, and 
I think will be easy to govern. He proves to be younger than I first 
thought he was; he is not yet three years old-probably he is the same age 
Helen was when she came here. His old grandmother has been in to see him 
today, but appears to have no disposition to take him. She wanted I should 
give her something to eat every now and then, because I had got the child 
to live with me and take care of, also old clothes and shoes. So it is 
with them; the moment you do them a favour you place yourself under 
lasting obligations to them and must continue to give to keep their love 
strong towards you. I make such bungling work of writing this eve I 
believe I will stop, for I can scarcely keep my head up and eyes open. So 
good night, J., for you do not come to sleep with me, and I must content 
myself with Mary Ann.

11th.-Dear Jane, I am sick tonight and in much pain-have been scarcely 
able to crawl about all day. The thought comes into my mind, how good to 
be relieved of care and to feel the blessing of a sympathizing hand 
administering to the necessities of a sick and suffering body, and whose 
presence would greatly dispel the gloom that creeps over the mind in spite 
of efforts to the contrary. But I must not repine or murmur at the 
dealings of my Heavenly Father with me, for he sees it necessary thus to 
afflict me that His own blessed image may be perfected in me. O, what a 
sinful, ungrateful creature I am-proud and disobedient. I wonder and 
admire the long-suffering patience of God with me, and long to be free 
from sin so that I shall grieve Him no more. But there is rest in heaven 
to the weary and wayworn traveler, and how blessed that we may "hope to 
the end for the grace that shall be given unto us at the revelation of 
Jesus Christ." Pray for us, J. and E., for we need your prayers daily. 
Goodnight.

12th.-I would that I could describe to you what I have felt and passed 
through since writing the above. Before I could get to bed last night I 
was seized with such severe pains in my stomach and bowels that it was 
with difficulty that I could straighten myself. I succeeded in crawling 
about until I got something to produce perspiration, thinking that it 
might proceed from a cold, and went to bed. About two o'clock in the 
morning Sister Gray sent for me, for she was sick and needed my 
assistance. When I was waked I was in a profuse perspiration. What to do I 
did not know. Neither of them knew that I was sick the day before. I at 
last concluded that I would make the effort to go, casting myself for 
preservation on the mercy of God. Mr. Cook, the man who came after me, 
made a large fire for me in my room, and I was enabled to dress and dry 
myself without getting cold, the weather having moderated some from what 
it was a few days ago. I bundled myself pretty well and went with Mr. C.'s 
assistance, for I felt but very little better able to walk than I did the 
evening before, and Bro. Gray was washing it. In the meantime, after they 
were informed how I was, they sent me word not to come if I was not able. 
I took the babe and dressed it, and have been there all day with my 
children, although I have not been able to sit up all day. Both mother and 
babe are comfortable tonight, and I have come home to spend the night and 
Sabbath, leaving Mr. G. with the care of them tomorrow. They have a good 
Hawaiian woman, which is a great mercy. 

Sab. Eve., 13th-Was kept awake last night by the headache considerably, 
and it has continued most of the day. Bro. G.'s house is very open, and 
the change from ours affects me unfavourable generally. Notwithstanding 
feeble health, this Sabbath has been a precious day to me. A quiet resting 
upon God is every thing, both in sickness and in health. My heart cries, 
O, for sanctifying grace that I may not become hardened under affliction.

14th.-I have this day entered upon my thirty-fifth year, and had my dear 
Alice C. been alive she would have been five years old, for this was her 
birthday as well as mine. Precious trust! She was taken away from the evil 
to come. I would not have it otherwise now. All things are for the best, 
although we may not see it at the time. Spent the day with Sister G., 
although not able to do much. Have been taking medicine and feel some 
better this eve, and hope to be better still tomorrow.

15th.-Have been with Sister Gray all day. There is so much there and all 
around us to call forth feelings of sympathy and care, that I have been so 
excited all day as not to scarcely realize my own state of health until I 
retire from it, and then I find myself completely exhausted. Thus it is 
that the missionary is so soon worn out, and his health fails and he is 
obliged to leave the field. He constantly sees work enough for his utmost 
time and strength, and much, very much that must remain undone for the 
want of hands to do it. We feel a merciful and timely relief in the 
association of Bro. and Sister Gray in our labours at this station. Had we 
continued much longer without help we should have been obliged, both of us 
without doubt, to have retired from the field as invalids. Yet still there 
is just as much as we all can possibly do, and more, too, for every year 
brings increased labours and demands upon us, and doubtless will continue 
to if there is much emigration to this country.

Edward, if you are thinking to become a missionary, you would do well to 
write a sermon on the word PATIENCE every day. Study well its meaning; 
hold fast on to patience and never let go, thinking all the time that you 
will have more need of her by and by than ever you can have while you 
remain at home. But I must stop before I exhaust myself, and gain strength 
for the duties of the morrow by rest.

21st.-It will be three weeks tomorrow since dear husband left, and I am 
feeling tonight almost impatient for his return. It has been stormy and 
cold every day since he left. Indeed, we have had our winter in this 
month, and now the rivers are so high that it is almost impossible to 
cross them without swimming. I feel that the Lord has mercifully and 
tenderly sustained and kept me from anxious feelings about him thus far 
during his absence. Doubtless he has suffered much, but the Lord will 
preserve, I hope, and return him again to me, filled with a lively sense 
of His goodness to us continually. The Indians feel his absence very much, 
especially Sabbaths. They are here so short a time they do not like to 
have him gone.

Today I have had the care of Sister G.'s two children and my three, which 
has been a hard day's work for me. I am more and more pleased with my 
little boy every day. He is so mild and quiet, and so happy in his new 
situation that I have not had the least regret that I took him in. He is 
learning to talk English extremely well-much faster than my two girls did. 
The second Sabbath he went about the room saying, "I must not work, I must 
not work," and also a part of a line of a hymn he had hear us sing, "Lord 
teach a little child to pray,"-all that he could say was, "a child to 
pray, a child to pray." He is learning to sing, also; he seems to have a 
natural voice, and learn quick. I think husband will have no objections to 
keeping him when he sees what a promising boy he is.

Sister Gray is recovering very fast; she came out into the kitchen 
yesterday to supper, and today she has dressed her babe, which is but ten 
days old. She took the advantage of me and dressed it before I could get 
over there this morning. She was going about her own room before it was a 
week old. Perhaps you will think we do as the natives do when we are among 
the natives. She certainly is very well, and we ought to be very thankful, 
and I trust we are. We all see so much to do that it is difficult to keep 
still when it is possible to stir. So goodnight, J. and E., for my sheet 
is full.

26th.-Husband arrived today about noon, to the joy of all the inhabitants 
of Waiilatpu. Mr. Eells came with him. His journey was prosperous beyond 
our most sanguine expectations, for the day that he would have been 
obliged to take snow shoes was so cold that by taking the morning very 
early they went on the top of the snow and arrived there in safety the 
Saturday after he left here. Sister Walker has a son, born on the 16th, 
four days after the birth of Sister Gray's. They call him Marcus Whitman. 
So it is, dear J. and E., that the Lord cares for and preserves us; and it 
seemed more than ever as if He sustained me from anxiety and gave me a 
spirit of prayer for him, and answered prayer in his safe return with 
improved health; and O, may the lives which He does so mercifully 
preserve, be devoted more entirely to His service.

Bro. Eells came for his boxes and will return next week. We are cheered 
with an occasional visit from one and another, which is a source of 
comfort to us in our pilgrimage here.

This sheet is full, and if you have trouble to read it, say so, and I will 
not do so again.

Your sister,

N. WHITMAN