404 THE IMMIGRATION OF 1843.

When Whitman arrived at Lapwai he found Mr and Mrs Spalding convalescing, and hastened to his own station to meet the immigrants and furnish them with supplies, which had to be brought from Lapwai and Colville, his grain and mill having been destroyed the previous winter. For this service he was cen- sured by some and applauded by others. 24 That it ■ was a wise and philanthropic action to give the immi- grants an opportunity to purchase fresh provisions, the sequel proved; besides, it was personally known to Whitman that some of them had exhausted their sup- plies before reaching the Columbia.

But whether they were or were not in need, they found the prices at Waiilatpu exorbitant when com- pared with those of Missouri, and accused Whitman of selfish motives in conducting the immigration past his station, making them ninety additional miles of travel which, with their worn-out teams and the lateness of the season, became a matter of serious importance. 20

health being poor, having heard of the salubrity of the Oregon climate, he etoninedi join the emigration, starting with Chiles for the rendezvous a little behind Applegate. He recovered health during the journey, which was made in an easy carriage. He was a man of peculiar and Pronounced character, and a strong frame; for 20 years he suffered with cancer on the cheek, and was somewhat irritable, as well as naturally critical m his remarks which abound in sensible and pertinent suggestions. This characteristic caused the stenographer who took his dictation to name the manuscript 33 above It deals with a variety of subjects relating to the early history ot the country. Mr Waldo died at Salem, September 10, 1880. His sons are William and J. B. Waldo. . , ..«

• Wherever Whitman's acts are discussed the writer is confronted witn

the account of his character and services given by Spalding and Gray, Ins associates. There is no question of his merits as a man, or that he was o much service to immigrants. But I am warned from accepting as fact all that these men have recorded of his disinterested generosity, by the remarks of those who are said to have profited by it. Not to appear partisan, 1 shall quote freely from both critics and admirers, where such quotations are perti-

lie11 ^ Burnett, in speaking of these accusations, says: < This foolish false and ungrateful charge was based upon the fact that he asked $1 a bushel for wheat and 40 cents for potatoes. As our people had been accustomed to sell their wheat at from 50 to GO cents a bushel, and their P otatoe V^Cl^to? 25 cents, in the Western States, they thought the prices demanded by the doctor amounted to something like extortion, not reff ectmg that he had to pay at ka t twice as much for his supplies of merchandise, and could not afford to , seU his oroduce as low as they did theirs at home. Recollections, 127. lhis is a gener oTvlw of the case, characteristic of the author; but it is not alt ogether^ orae out by the facts. Whitman receiving his supplies from the board, lhe mission