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CHAPTER XV.

Difficulty with Mr. Lee-Extract from a report of the board of missions Embarcation-Delightful voyage to the Islands-Danger -Mrs. W.'s concern-The pilot again-Visitors-Exploring squadron-Pic-nic-Embark for the United States-Passengers-Mr. Diell's death-Social parties-Hailing a vessel-Aarrival in portBennett's express.

Soon after this expedition, arose a difficulty between Mr. Lee and Dr. White, which was the cause of the doctor's return home. It is not worth while to give the particulars; suffice it, that the difference was an honest one, in relation to the best way and means of carrying forward the objects of the mission. This small matter, as is unfortunately often the case, gave rise to other disagreements, in which, not only sentiment, but feeling was enlisted. Dr. White resigned; and thinking it the most honorable course he could pursue, under the circumstances, resolved, in a written correspondence with Mr. Lee, to state his reasons for so doing; and then, with the replies, coming and laying it before the board of missions. The proceeding was right, had the correspondence been carried on with a little more moderation, and less bitterness of spirit. The decision of the board will be seen in the following extract from the twenty-seventh annual report:

"The first despatches from this mission, after the arrival of the great reinforcement, were brought in the ship Lausanne, and received by the board in April, 1841. Dr. Eli

jah White, who had returned to this country in the same vessel, presented himself before the board at its regular meeting, held on the twenty-first of the same month, and made a verbal communication. From his remarks, and the despatches of the superintendent, it appeared that after a most unpleasant and excited controversy between himself and Mr. Jason Lee, he had been induced to resign his office as physician to the mission. After hearing Dr. White in his defence, the board disapproved of his leaving the mission without their consent, but directed the treasurer to settle his accounts. Letters were subsequently received from Messrs. Kone and Richmond, and also signed by several lay-members of the mission, all of which indicated dissatisfaction with their circumstances, and more or less, with the superintendent.

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At a regular meeting, held July 17, 1843, the board renewed the recommendation of the bishop, either to appoint an agent, or to supersede Mr. Lee by a new superintendent. The bishop preferred the latter course, and at their regular meeting in the following September, informed the board, that he had appointed Rev. George Gary, of the Black River Conference, to the superintendency of the Oregon míssion. This announcement was received by the most decided expressions of gratification."

And so ended the affair, which, painful as it was, did not greatly involve the moral character of either party. Having resigned, and the correspondence being ended, the doctor, with his family, embarked in the brig Maryland, Capt. Couch, for the Sandwich Islands. And now for prospects and dreams of home, after four years' residence in the far west. They had a delightful run, with smooth seas and fair winds, not a storm or a calm, and arrived at the Islands

after the unusually short passage of eighteen days, both officers and crew exerting themselves to render it as pleasant and agreeable as possible.

Mrs. White was troubled and unhappy the afternoon and evening before they anchored. She remembered the appearance of the coast, and was confident, that at the velocity with which they were sailing, from seven to nine knots an hour, they would soon be on the rocks. Neither the captain or officers had ever before been at the islands, and seemed at a loss to determine their position, for they frequently descended to the cabin, and looked anxiously over the chart. She had just been reading of the wreck of a vessel on this very coast, and knew by the deportment of the captain with whom they had first sailed, that great caution should be observed in approaching it. Though the doctor and other passengers slept in unconscious security, she could not rest; and though the night was pitchy dark, stood on the stairs of the companionway, in her night dress, wrapped in a shawl, removing her cap from her head, that the men might not distinguish her in the dim light of the lamps, alive with fear that every moment the vessel would strike on the reef they were nearing. As the hours sped by, her apprehensions increased, until about eleven o'clock, when, as if to render their destruction inevitable, the captain descended and turned in. Afrer a few moments, Mr. Killburn, the mate, came down in haste, and her fears were confirmed, as she heard him exclaim, "I'll be d-d if we are not already under the rocks!" They immediately cast anchor, and the watcher retired to repose, with a light heart, rejoicing that their frightful peril had been discovered in time to prevent a fatal catastrophe.

In the morning, it was found that they were only at a dis

tance of a few hundred yards from the black rocks on the coast. Mrs. White acquainted them with her anxious waiting in the companionway, which, as the danger was passed, caused a hearty laugh, and Mr. Kilburn remarked, “yes, he saw her hair flying in the wind, just as he went to call the captain, and he supposed her terrors caused her to forget her intended concealment."

Immediately after breakfast they saw their old whiteheaded friend, the pilot, putting out to them in his little boat, and they received him with joy and satisfaction; it seemed almost like greeting a father, so much had his kindness endeared him to them. From him they learned the presence of the exploring squadron at the islands, on their way to Oregon. They were soon moored safely in the harbor of Honolulu, where they were visited by Rev. Messrs. Smith and Armstrong, and were invited to accompany them home. After visiting some time among their friends, they took lodgings with Mr. E. O. Hall.

Our friends enjoyed many pleasant calls and visits from Commodore Wilkes and Captain Hudson, who were not more gratified at hearing intelligence from Oregon, than were they at receiving comparatively fresh news from the United States.

During the stay of Dr. White and family at the islands, the gentlemen of the squadron gave a pic nic party, some three or four miles out of town, on a beautiful plain, to which was invited all the missionaries, American and English consuls, and their ladies, and finally, all the principal foreign inhabitants. It was a social, convivial occasion, and rather a costly affair, as probably not less than eight or nine hundred dollars were expended by the officers. The collation was bountiful, and composed of all sorts of meats, dress

ed in all sorts of styles; various fruits, both preserved and green; cakes, nuts, and wines in every variety. The feast was spread on long tables, laid under a tent of the stars and stripes.

Dr. White now negotiated with Captain Spaulding, of Salem, Mass., for a passage to the States, on board the Lausanne, lying in the harbor. There were on board, besides himself and family, Rev. John Deill, chaplain at Honolulu, lady and four children; Captain Couch, Lieutenant Pinkney, of the American squadron, Midshipman Lewis, and Miss Mary Smith, who had been on a visit to her brother at the islands, and Mr. Grimes, who sailed with them from the States. The gentlemanly captain made ample provision for his passengers, furnishing himself with live stock, so that they had fresh meat twice a week till their arrival in New York.

Mr. Deill being in delicate health, was provided by the munificence of the gentlemen of the islands with every accommodation, and with six hundred and forty dollars for his expenses.

They sailed late in November-the same day that the squadron sailed for Oregon. Their adieus were made with much regret, as they had for weeks been associated with the officers in pleasant scenes and enjoyments.

It is unnecessary to give a lengthy description of the voyage, as it was much like the first, save being less tedious. It was uninterruptedly pleasant, with a single exception. Mr. Deill's health continued to decline-that insidious, fatal disease, a consumption, preying upon his feeble frame till hope of life was gone. It was at sunset of a lovely day, when they were in 40° south latitude, that he died. He talked in faint whispers the whole day, calling each member of

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