IMAGE EVALUATION
TEST TARGET (MT-3)

Ms-

^/<!i

1.0

I.I

25
2.2

2.0

11.25 lu

U^l

1.6

PhotograiJiic

Sciences

Corporation

'^^

23 WIST MAIN STHET

WltSTIR.N.Y. MSM

(716) •72-4503

CIHM/ICMH

Microfiche

Series.

CIHIVI/JCMH
Collection de
microfiches.

Canadian Institute for Historical Microrepreductions / Institut Canadian de microreproductions historiques

Technical and Bibliographic Notat/Notfts techniques et bibliographiques

The Institute has atteinpted to obtain the best
original copy available for filming. Features of this
copy whicih may be bibliographically unique,
which may alter any of the images in the
reproduction, or which may significantly change
the usual method of filming, are checiced below.

□

D
D

Coloured covers/
Couverture de couleur

I I Covers damaged/

Couverture endommagie

Covers restored and/or laminated/
Couverture restaurte et/ou pelliculAe

Cover title missing/

Le titre de couverture manque

I I Coloured maps/

Cartes gAographiques en couleur

Coloured init (i.e. other than blue or blacic)/
Encre de couleur (i.e. autre que bleue ou noire)

I I Coloured plates and/or illustrations/

Planches et/ou illustrations en couleur

Bound with other material/
ReliA avec d'autres documents

Tight binding may cause shadows or distortion
along interior margin/

La re liure serrde peut causer de i'ombre ou de la
distortion le long de la marge intirieure

Blank leaves added during restoration may
appear within the text. Whenever possible, these
have been omitted from filming/
II se peut que certaines pages olanciies ajoutAes
iors d'une restauration apparaissent dans le texte,
mais, iorsque ceia Atait possible, ces pages n'ant
pas 6t6 fiimies.

Additional comments:/
Commentaires supplimentaires:

L'Instit ; 1 microfilm* ie meiiieur exemplaire
qu'il lui « <itA possible de se procurer. Les details
de cet exemplaire qui sent peut-Atre uniques du
point de vue bibliographique, qui peuvent modifier
une image reproduite, ou qui peuvent exiger une
modification dans la mithode normale de filmage
sont indiqute ci-dessous.

I I Coloured pages/

Pages de couleur

Pages damaged/
Pages endommsgis:

Pages restored and/oi

Pages restaurAes et/ou peiliculAes

Pages discoloured, stained or foxe(
Pages dicolortes, tachet^es ou piquAes

Pages detached/
Pages ditachies

Showthrough/
Transparence

Quality of prir

Quaiit^ in6gaie de I'impression

Includes supplementary materii
Comprend du materiel supplAmentaire

I — I Pages damaged/

I I Pages restored and/or iamiriated/

r~7| Pages discoloured, stained or foxed/

I I Pages detached/

I I Showthrough/

I I Quality of print varies/

I I Includes supplementary material/

Only edition available/
Seule Edition disponible

Pages wholly or partially obscured by errata
slips, ti«.«utt«. etc., have been ref limed to
ensure the best possible image/
Les pages totalement ou partieilement
obscurcies par un fauillet d'errata, une peiure,
etc., ont M fiim6es A nouveau de fa^on A
obtenir la meiiieure image possible.

s
1

rl
ri
n

This item is filmed at the reduction ratio checiced below/

Ce document est film* au taux de rMuc'cion indiquA ci-dessous

10X 14X 18X 22X

26X

■

30X

!
1

i?x

16X

aox

24X

28X

32X

Th« copy filmed hmrm haa bMn rtprodieetd thanks
to tha ganaroalty of:

Library Oiwition

Provincial Archival of British Columbia

Tha imaoaa appaaring hara ara tha baat quality
poaaibia conaidaring tha condition and lagibility
of tha original copy and in iiaaping with tha
filming contract spacificatlons.

Original copiaa in printad papar covars ara filmad
baginning with tha front covar and anding on
tha last paga with a printad or iliuatratad impras-
•ion. or tha iMck covar whan appropriata. All
othar original copiaa ara filmad baginning on tha
first paga with a printad or illustratad impraa-
sion^ and anding on tha last paga with a printad
or illustratad imprassion.

Tha last racordad frama on aach microflcha
shall contain tha symbol -^ ( moaning "CON-
TINUED"), or tha symbol V (moaning "END").
whichavar applias.

Maps, platas. charts, ate. may ba filmad at
diffarant raduction ratios. Thosa too larga to ba
antlraly includad in ona axposura ara filmad
baginning in tha uppar laft hand cornar. laft to
right and top to bottom, as many framas as
raquirad. Tha following diagrams illustrc<ta tha
mathod:

L'axampiaira film* f ut raproduit grica A la
gAnAroaltA da:

Library Division

Provincial Archivn of British Columbia

Laa imagaa auKrantaa ont 4ti raproduitas avac la
plus grand aoin. compta tanu da la condition at
da la nattat* da I'axampialra f ilm«. at m
conformity avac laa conditions du contrat da
filmaga.

Las axamplairas originaux dont la couvartura mn
papiar aat ImprimAa sont film*« an commandant
par la pramiar plat at an tarminant soit par la
darnlAra paga qui comporta una amprainta
d'lmprassion ou d'iilustration, soit par la sacond
plat, salon la cas. Tous laa autras axamplairas
originaux sont filmAs an commandant par la
pramiAra pr.ga qui comporta una amprainta
d'lmprassion ou d'iilustration at mn tarmi.«ant par
la darniAra paga qui comporta una talla
amprainta.

Un das symbolas suivants apparaltra sur la
darnlAra imaga <h ':haqua microflcha, salon la
cas: la symbola — ^ signifia "A SUIVRE", la
symbols ▼ signifia "FIN".

Las cartas, planchas. tablaaux, ate, pauvant Atra
filmAs A das taux da rAduction diff Arants.
Lorsqua la documant ast trap grand pour Atra
raproduit an un saul clichA, ii ast filmA A partir
da I'angia supAriaur gaucha. da gaucha A droita.
at da haut mn bas. an pranant la nombra
d'imagas nAcassaira. Las diagrammas suivants
illustrant la mAthoda.

« \v

■;-:jt-

^.i^

IT:"

IT ■ ' . - *

ti:¥nnm

-'.kL

^IF'^^:

A««hf 09 lent covtsiBVTioiiB or vmi: iMtFA^tMiii^

'.-;'

.-J

Of (tt»Goi| «r mit «MiQox

PtLKM Otm SOtlAB

'-M

'T^ t

■1

■•l^ V

■*4 ip'

SOURCES OF THE HISTORY
OF OREGON

Volume I

Parts s to ^ inclusive

THE CORRESPONDENCE AND JOURNALS OF CAPTAIN

NATHANIEL J. WYETH
' 1831-6

A Record of Two Bxpodttlons for the Occupatton of the Oregon
Country, with naps, Introducttou and ln(*ex

CONTINUATION OP THK CONTRIBUTIONS OF THB DBPARTMENT

OF ECONOMICS AND HISTORY OF THE UNIVERSITY

OF OREGON BY THE OREGON

HISTORICAL SOCIETY

Edited by F. G. Young,
Secretary Oregon Historical Society

I ;

PRICE ONE DOLLAR

University Press

Sugene, Ore.

1899

T¥

).»;•..•;- i'lsl . , itt )

I ' ij t I < . .= . 1 I

OREQON HISTORICAL S0CIE1Y.

H. W. Scott, President,

C. B. Bbllingbr, Vice-President,

ly. B. Cox, Treasurer,

F. G. Young, Secretary,

Gbo. H. Himbs, Assistant-Secretary,

'tH> 'I
It >i •

the Oregon Historical Society

Portland
Portland
Portland
Eugene
Portland

A tribute to the memory of Captain Wyeth by Jainei Rusnell Lowell,
sent to the Portland (Oregon) High School on the occasion of its having a
Lowell evening.

Ei.MWDOD, Cambridge, Mass.

24th April, 1890.
Dear Miss H * * *

I feel as if I had a kind of birthright in your Portland, for
it was a townsman of mine who first led an expedition thither
across the plains and tried to establish a settlement there. I
well remember his starting sixty years ago, and knew him well
in after years. He was a very remarkable person whose conversa-
tion I valued highly. A born leader of men, he was fitly called
Captain Nathaniel Wyeth as long as he lived. It was the weak-
ness of his companions that forced him to let go his hold on that
fair possession. I hope he is duly honored in your traditions. * *
I pray you to give my greeting with the warmest assurance of
good will to both teachers and pupils. We are I am sure heartily
at one in our desire to maintain and perpetuave the better tradi-
tions of our local and national life, and it is upon our schools that
we must rely in great measure for the fulfilment of that desire.

Wishing for all of you happy and useful lives — and one includ-
es the other

I remain

Very sincerely your friend
J. R. Lowell.

Editor's Preface

I.i the traditions of New England Nathaniel Jarvis Wyeth is
highly honored as the principal founder of the ice industry. The
Boston 7>rt»5rr;// in its notice of his death, August, 1856, said:

"It is not perhaps too much to say that there is not a single
tool or machine of real value now employed in the ice harvesting,
which was not originally invented by Mr Wyeth They all look
to Fresh Pond as the place of their origin". "As one who laid
open a new field of honorable industry" he was held "entitled to
the rank of a public benefactor."

Among his friends who came under the influence of his strong
personality he was regarded as "oneoftheremarkableraenof New
England." The tribute to his memory sent to Oregon by Lowell
stimulated the search for the record of those wonderful expeditions
led by him. Those in quest of it were rewarded not only in finding
the manuscripts, nearly complete.butaiso in getting from the posses-
sor of them a gracious response to the request for permission to
publish.

These sources furnish data for making more adequate and in-
structive the history oJ the occupation of the continent, and through
t he publication of them the author will receive due recognition for
a conspicuous part in a great tiational movement and for the pos-
session of a strong spark of heroic spirit like that whose song is,

"My purpose holds

To sail beyond the sunset and the baths

Of all the western stars until I die."

The manuscript is in the possession of Mrs. Mary J, Fish of
Taunton, Massachusetts. When sent to l)e copied for publication
it took its third trip westward across the continent, but this time
it was not "to be painfully borne by wearisome marches through

I Id

it .

almost unbroken solitudes for weary months, "but now after sixty*
three years to be "swiftl>- carried in a few days, to find no longer
at the journey's end the wilderness of Nature but the homes ofan-
enlightened and progressive people."

The editor owes deepest thanks to Mrs. Fish for being entrust-
ed with the honor of publishing this record and for her consent to
present it in its integrity.

The plan has been to reproduce the original faithfully to
the letter. From the conditions under which the record was
made some parts are faint and mutilated but it is hoped that de-
fects arising from this cause and from shortcomings in editing will
not seriously impair the historical value of these documents.

Eugene, Oregon, ,

July I, 1899.

BRRATA

Page 12, "circumsnances"inUne398houl(iread "circumstances"

"enough"

"Tuesday"

"Vancouver"

"Having"

"not"

"flowers"

"Sauvages"

"contradictory"

•• 38,

" 49,
" 62,

"enough"

"Tuesday"

"Vadcouver"

" 44
" 32
" 5

II II
1 • 1,
,, t.

" 79,
"126,

"Haying"
"dot"

It
II

" 4
" 8

,, 1,
II 1,

"157,
"212,

••236.

"flowers"

"Savvages"

"contardictory"

II
II
1,

" 4
" 6

"38

II 1,
II 1,
I, ,1

CORRESPOND]
Persons addressed

Kelley, Hall J.

Wyeth, Charles

III

Wyeth, Jacob

Neil, Col. J. W.

Wyeth, Charles

Wyeth, Jacob

VII

Wyeth, Leonard

VIII

Hamilton, Samuel S.

Wyeth, Charles

Wyeth, Leonard

Wyeth, Jacob

XII

Kverett, Hon. E.

XII

Wyeth, Jacob

XIV

Wild, Captain Dixie

Wyeth, Charles

XVI

Uvermore, Solmon K.

XVII

Everett, Hor, E.

XVIII

Wyeth, lyconarj

XIX

Wyeth, Leonard

Bach, Theo.

XXI

Wyeth, Jacob

XXII

Wild, Captain Dixie

XXIII

Wyeth, Charles

XXIV

Livermore, S. K.

XXV

Hughs, L P.

XXVI

Cripps, Geo.

XXVII

Wyeth, Leonard

xxvni

Wyeth, Charles

XXIX

Gardner. Robt. H.

XXX

Whiting, Seymour

XXXI

Livermore, S. K.

XXXII

Jarvis, Leonard

XXXIII

Norris, A. & Co.

Page

fl
I

3
3
S

t3
«4

«7
18

«9
ao
21
tt

as
26

27
27

29
29
30
31

z — :-!

/^■/s^^m.

v.. 'J I'f'

,vr -<'*■* S[

* * *s^ ,

■i/v;:.'?'*'^

"" uuuer winch the record was

made some partr are faint and mutilated but it is hoped that de-
fects arising from this cause and from shortcomings in editing will
not senously impair the historical value of these documents.

Eugene, Oregon,

July I, 1899.

.vr -v^**?.

CONTENTS

CORRESPON
Persons addressed

Kelley, Hall J.

Wyeth, Charles

III

Wyeth, Jacob

Neil, Col. J. W.

Wyeth, Charles

Wyeth, Jacob

VII

Wyeth, Leonard

VIII

Hamilton, Samuel S.

Wyeth, Charles

Wyeth, Leonard

Wveth, Jacob

XII

Everett, Hon. E.

XII

Wyeth, Jacob

XIV

Wild, Captain Dixie

Wyeth, Charles

XVI

Livermore, Solmon K

XVII

Everett, Hon. E.

XVIII

Wyeth, Leonard

XIX

Wyeth, Leonard

Bach, Theo.

XXI

Wyeth, Jacob

XXII

Wild, Captain Dixie

XXIII

Wyeth, Charles

XXIV

Livermore, S. K.

XXV

Hughs, I. P.

XXVI

Cripps, Geo.

XXVII

Wyeth, Leonard

XXVIII

Wyeth, Charles

XXIX

Gardner. Robt. H.

XXX

Whiting, Seymour

XXXI

Livermore, S. K.

XXXII

Jarvis, Leonard

XXXIII

Norris, A. & Co.

Page

2
I

5
6

8
II

»3

15
16

19
20
21
21
24

25
26

29
29
30
31

i !li

; !

viii

CONTENTS

Persons addressed

XXXIV

Touro, Judah

XXXV

Gardner, Robt. H.

XXXVI

Wyeth, Charles

XXXVII

Ball, John

1 XXXVIII

Wyeth, Leonard

XXXIX

Livermore, S. K.

XI,

Kelley, H. J.

XI.I

Davenport and Byre.

XLII

Wyeth. Leonard

' XLIII

Davenport and Byron

XLIV

Wyeth, Leonard

XLV

Wyeth, Jacob

XLVI

Davenport and Byron

XLVII

Whiting, Seymour

XLVIIl

Kelley, Hall J.

XL,IX

Perry, Rev. Clark

Wyeth, Leonard

.1 I<I

Davenport and Byron

i ^"

Wyeth, Leonard

I LIII

Wyeth, Leonard

!' I.IV

Bache, Theo.

;■ i^v

Ball, John

|1 . LVI

Sinclair, John

1 LVII

Wyeth, Leonard

1 LVII I

Touro, Judah

LtX

Kelley, Hall J.

Brown, James

Lxi

Wyeth, Charles

LXII

Wyeth, Leonard

I^XIII

Wyeth, Charles

LXIV

Kelley, Hall J.

LXV

Jar vis, Leonard

I.XVI

Tudor, F.

LXVII

Parents

LXVIII

Tucker and Williams

1 LXIX

Wyeth, Leonard

Lxx

Wyeth, Charles

i LXXI

Jarvis, Leonard

1 ! LXXII

:!; He ^ sH

j LXXIII

Simpson, George

LXXIV

Bonneville, Captain

LXXV

Baker, Joseph, and Son

i.XXVI

Boardman, Wm. H.

LXXVII

Tudor, F.

! LXXVII I

Tucker and Williams and Henry

Hall

LXXIX

Wyeth, Leonard

I,XXX

Wyeth, Charles

Page

33
34
34
36

37
38
39
39
40

41
41
42
42
42
43
43
45
45
46

46
46

47
47
47
49
50
50
50
50
51
51
5*
52
52
53
54
55
55
56
58

63
64

CONTENTS

Persons addressed

LXXXI

Jarvis, lyconard

LXXXII

Nuttall, Thomas

Lxxxill

McLougblin, Dr. John

I^XXXIV

Von Phull and McGill

LXXXV

Ball, John

LXXXVI

Ermatinger, F.

LXXXVII

Abbot, Wiggin

I^XXXVIII

Samuel, E. M.

LXXXIX

Samuel, E. M.

Tudor, F.

XCI

Tucker and Williams and Henry Hall

XCII

Samuel, E. M.

XCIII

Sublette, M. G.

XCIV

Sublette, M. G.

XCV

Harrison, General

XCVI

Simpson, Geo.

XCVII

Wyeth, Leonard

XCVIII

Boardman, Wm. H.

XCIX

Wyeth, Jonas

Hall and Tucker and Williams

Wyeth, Leonard

Editors

Wyeth, Jacob

CIV

Baker, Joseph, and Son

Perry, Rev. Clark

CVI

Livermore, S. K.

evil

Jarvis, Leonard

eviii

Hall and Tucker and Williams

CIX

Von Phull and McGill

W^yeth, Leonard

CXI

Baker, Joseph, and Son

CXII

Simpson, George

CXIII

Wyeth, Charles

CXIV

Jarvis, Leonard

cxv

Perry, Rer. Clark

CXVI

Samuel and More

CXVII

Von Phull and McGill

CXVIII

Worthington. James

CXIX

Wyeth, Charles

CXX

Cass, Lewis

CXXI

Rockhill, Thomas C, and Co.

CXXII

Wyeth, Leonard

CXXIII

Tucker and Williams

CXXIV

Tucker and Williams

CXXV

Tucker and Williams

CXXVI

Samuel and More

CXXVII

Sublette, M. G.

Page

66
67
68
68
68
69
70
70
70

71
71

71
72
72
72
72

73
73
73
78
79
79
79
&o

81
81
82

83
83

84
84
85
85
89
90

91
91
9t

93
93

94
94

94
94
95

i %

•ii

CONTENTS

Persons addressed

CXXVIII

Tucker and Williams

CXXIX

Wyeth, Leonard

CXXX

Sublette, M. G.

CXXXI

Wyeth, Charles

cxxxii

Sublette, M. G.

CXXXIII

Samuel and More

cxxxiv

Abbot, Wiggin

cxxxv

Seaton, All red

CXXXVI

Wyeth, Charles

CXXXVII

Samuel and More

CXXXVIII

Samuel and More

CXXXIX

Wyeth, Leonard

cxL

Nuttall, Thomas

CXLI

Dana, Samuel L.

cxui

Perry, Rev. Clark

CXLIII

Hallet

CXLIV

. Cousin Noah

CXLV

Wyeth, Charles

CXLVI

Sublette, Wm. L.

CXLVII

Nuttall, Thomas

CXLVIII

Thing, Joseph

CXLIX

Wyeth, Charles

CI,

Tucker and Williams

CLI

Pickering, Jno.

CLII

Tucker and Williams

Chill

Sublette, Wm. L.

CLIV

Rockhill, Thomas C, and Co

CLV

Wyeth, Charles

CLVI

Tucker and Williams

CLVII

Tucker and Williams

CLVIII

Sublette, Wm. L.

CUX

Tucker and Williams

CLX

Wyeth, Jacob

CLXI

Lee, Rev. Jason

CLXII

Tucker and Willliams

CLXIII

Thing, Captain Joseph

CI.XIV

Thing, Captain Joseph

CLXV

Wyeth, Leonard

CLXVI

Wyeth, Leonard

CLXVII

Tucker and Williams

CLXVIII

Grant pud Stone

CLXIX

Thing, Captain Joseph

CLXX

Metcalf, Col. E. W.

CLXXI

Powers, Deborah

CLXXII

Thing, Captain Joseph

CLXXIII

Bradenburgh, Jno.

CLXXTV

Tucker and Williams

Page

95
96
96
96

97
98

99
too

[GO

roc
102
103
103
[04
tc4
[04
to5
105
[05
[06
[07
107
ro7
ro8
[08
[09
[09
ro9
to9

10
10
II
II
;ii
13
13
13
13
14
14
14
15
15

15
16

Page

97
98

ICX)

100
100
102
103
103
104
IC4
104

105

105
105

106

107

CLXXV

CLXXVI

CLXXVII

CI^XXVIII

CI.XXIX

CLXXX

CLXXXI

CLXXXII

ci^xxxiri

CLXXIV
CLXXXV
CLXXXVI

CLxxxvir

CLXXXVIII

CI^XXXIX

CXC

CXCI
CXCII

cxciir

CXCIV

cxcv

cxcvr

CXCVII
CXCVIII
CXC IX

cci

ecu

CCIII
CCIV

ccv
ccvi

CCVII
ccv I II
CCIX
CCX
CCXI

ccxii

CCXIII

CCXIV

CCXV

CCXVI

CCXVII

CCXVIII

CCX IX

CCXX

CCX XI

CONTENTS
Persons addressed

Thing, Captain Joseph
Thing, Captain Joseph
Wife ^

Tudor, F.

Tucker and Williams
Bradenburgh, Jno.
Thing, Captain Joseph
Tucker and Williams
Grant and Son
Allison and Anderson
Thing, Captain Joseph
Von PhuU and McGill
Tucker and Williams
Brown, James
Wyeth, Charles
Samuel and More
Brown, James
Grant and Stone
Tucker and Williams
Wyeth, Jacob
Nuttall, Thomas
Samuel and More
Samuel and More
Wyeth, Leonard
Wife

Samuel and More
Grant and Stone
Tucker and Williams
Tucker and Williams
Tucker and Williams
Tucker and Williams
Tucker and Williams
Tucker and Williams
Fitzpatric, Thomas
Fitzpatric, Thomas, and Co.
Fen no, James W-
Tudor, F.
Jarvis, Leonard
Pr*rents
Wife

Brown, James
Metcalf. Col. E. W.
Wyeth, Charles
Wyeth, Leonard
Von PhuU and McGill
Tucker and Williams
Sublette, M. G.

Page

117
117
117
118
119
120

lai
lai

131
131
X33

122
122

122
122
123
123
123
124

126

127

128

129
-129
129
129
130

"131
13T

132
132
132
^33
134
«35
135
«35
136
136

*3/
*37
'38

i3«
140

xii

CONTENTS

•

Persons addressed

Page

CCXXII

Von PhuU and McGill

140

CCXXIII

Ermatinger, Francis

140

CCXXIV

Payette, Francis

141

CCXXV

Bonneville, Captain

141

ccxxvi

Bonneville, Captain

142

CCXXVII

Jarvis, I^eonard et al

142

CCXXVIII

Stewart, Captain William

142

CCXXIX

Tudor, Frederic

142

CCXXX

Fenno, James W.

CCXXXI

Brown, James

144

CCXXXII

Wife

144

CCXXXIII

Wyeth, Jacob

145

CCXXXIV

Wyeth, Leonard

145

ccxxxv

Wyeth, Charles

146

CCXXXVI

Jarvis, Leonard

146

ccxxxvi:

Richardson

147

CCXXXVIII

Weld

148

CCXXXIX

Tudor, Frederic

149

CCXL

Brown, James

150

CCXLi

Jarv.'j, Leonard

151

CCXLII

Wyeth, Charles

152

CCXLIII

Wyeth, Leonard

153

CCXLIV

Parents

153

CCXLV

Wife

JOURNALS

154

First Expedition

155 219

Second Expeditou

221 — 251

Letter and Statement Pertaining to Land Claim

253—256

Index

-
l!:

257—262

Introduction

The American people are just experiencing some startling
disclosures of the depth of significance to them in their destiny
springing from the fact that they have a territorial basis contin-
ental in its proportions. Their facing of the two oceans through
so much of the north temperate zone of itself affords a mighty
leverage among the nations of the earth.

The main story of the making of this nation holds two fairly
equal interwoven threads — one follows the development of a new
order of national institutions; the other shows the lead of that
instinctive craving of a progressive people for a territorial basis
adequate for their destiny. Who will say which national motive
inspired the larger measure of the heroic? The victories of arms
have been more resounding where issues of freedom and equality
were at stake. There is, however, no brighter page of American
history than that which records the victory of American diplomacy
when in 1783 against the greatest odds the "father of v^aters"
was secured for our western boundary. And what could have
been more sagacious than the stroke of 1803 through which our
national domain was more than doubled?

Thrilling were the achievements of George Rogers Clark in the
winter of 1778-9 and grand the work of the American commis-
sioners at Paris in 1783, still our expansion to the Pacific is a tale
of pioneering. The ensigns of an axe on the shoulder of a
pioneer, a pack horse, and a "prairie schooner" with a household as
occupants — all facing westward -tipify our rise to a world power.

Our national progress towards the occupation of the continent
assumed an especially interesting phase in the thirties. During
this decade all conditions were maturing for that grand migratory
on-sweep across the plains in the forties and fifties. The van-
guard of the pioneers had reached the western limits of Iowa, Mis-
souri and Arkansas. Settlement of the plains beyond before the age
o;' railroads was out of the question. 1'he next move
then must be as it were a flight to the Pacific coast
where communication with the civilized world would again

xlv

INTRODUCTION

be open by the sea. But it was a move the difficulties and
dangers of which were appalling. All the previous history of the
v«'orld had enforced the principle that broad belts of uninhabitable
country and high mountain ranges constituted the natural limits
of national territory. To overturn this god Terminus and lead
the way to a wider and higher national destiny called for effort
that was heroic. Wyeth and Whitman will always stand as re-
presentative American heroes because of their resolute initiative
and achievement in connection with this American problem of ex-
pansion to continental proportions.

Let us note the elements of the situation at the opening of the
year 1832, when NathanielJ.Wyeth had tirst matured his plans for an
expedition to the Oregon Territory. A quarter ofa century had elaps
ed since Lewis and Clark had threaded the valleys of the upper Mis-
souri and followed the watersofthe Columbia to the western ocean.
An accurate account of the character of the country and its in-
habitants had been immediately given to the world. TheWinships
in 1809 and then Astor in 181 1 made attempts at occupation with
trading posts. Nearly twenty years had now gone since these
ventures had suffered dismal discomfiture. These failures had
not provoked renewed efforts for the conquest of the difficulties
involved in the occupation of the Columbia basin. True, there
had been immediately a considerable development of fur-trading
activities with St. Louis as a base. Annual expeditions by two
or three companies were made to the headwaters of the rivers
flowing to the Pacific. Nov and then American trapping and
trading parties would penetrate to California and far down the
tributaries of the Columbia. But American enterprise seemed to
quuii before the difficulties confronting any project for securing
such a foothold in the Pacific Northwest as could become the
nucleus of a colony. There was no promise in the posts of the
fur companies scattered sporadically through the Rocky moun-
tains.

The English were our only persistent rivals for the possession
of t!ie Columbia basin. Our claim to it was fortified by priority
in discovery, exploration and occupation. Quite different, how-
ever, was the outcome of their ventures for joint occupation from
the disasters which befell ours. In 18 13 the British Northwest
Company purchased what was little more than the wreck of
Astor's outfit at Astoria. A few months later an English man of
war arrived there to formally seize what was already British in
sympathy. By the terms of Article I of the treaty of Ghent, 18 15,
all places "taken by either party from the other during the war"
were to be restored, and accordingly in October of 18 18 an Ameri-
can agent, a Mr. Prevost, received the nominal restitution of what
had been Astoria, renamed Fort George. The American occupa-
tion of the Columbia basin had dwindled to what was represented
in the ceremony of hauling down the British flag and running up

INTROmCTION

the vStars and Stripes in the presence of the post of a British fur
company, tuc crew of a British man of war, and a solitary agent
of the American government. This lone American, further, **sign-
ed a receipt for the delivery of Fort George, and accepted a re-
monstrance from the British against the delivery until the final
decision of the right of sovereignty to the country between the
two governments." A few days later he was hustled away and
the British colors were again floated for nearly a generation above
the parapets of the fort.

With the consolidation of the Northwest and Hudson's Bay
Companies in 1821, the establishment of headquarters at Fort
Vancouver, and the effective administration ofDr. JohnMcLough-
lin as Chief Factor wet of the Rocky mountains British interests
developed at a wonderful rate. It was claimed on the floor of
congress that "shares in the Hudson's Bay Compay, which origii -
ally were of the value of 20 pounds each, were now selling in the
market at the enormous price of 200 pounds sterling. " And again
"that shares of that company have risen from sixty to two-hund-
red and forty pounds sterling." With the growth of English in-
terests on the Columbia English claims to sovereignty grew
apace. American operations were confined to irregular incursions
by fur-trading parties and to traffic carried on with natives from
the decks of vessels brought into the inlets of the coast. The
British were establishing posts and extending a well -organized,
lucrative and strongly supported trade.

American enterprise pitted against English on the Columbia in
the line of fur trading operations was clearly worsted. It is not
*iifficult to see the reasons why this was so. The Oregon country
lay much more accessible to British activity than to ours. Judg-
ing merely from the map it seemed almost equally contiguous to
British and to American possessions. The forty-ninth parallel
had deen extended to the Rocky mountains in 181 8 as the divid-
ing line between the United States and British America. The
southern limit of the Oregon territory was the forty-second paral-
lel, the northern boundary was fifty-four degrees and forty min-
utes, hence it abutted on the United States through the length of
seven degrees and on English territory through Jiearly six. But
considered with reference to actual conditions in this l)order coun-
try the advantage of the English is patent.

The "Great American Desert" was never represented as ex-
tending into the region lying between Lake Superior and the
Hudson Bay on the one side and Rocky mountains on the other.
A vast expanse of arid plains lay as a barrier between St. Louis,
the base of operations of the American companies, and the game
preserves of the Rockies and Oregon. This region had to be
traversed with the more expensive pack-horse transit. Before the
British company with bases on Lake Superior and the Hud-
son Bay there lay stretched an uninterrupted game preserve to the

i ;

svi

INTRODUCTION

headwaters of the Columbia. For traversing this there were
wonderfully convenient natural facilities of reticulated water
courses making easy water transits. English occupation of the
Columbia basin was but a slight extension of a long-established
chain of posts. American occupation as contemplated by the Win-
ships, by Astor and again by Wyeth depended mainly upon com-
munication by sea over a route of 16,000 miles. Formidable as
was the advantage of the English in relation to contiguity, her
measure of advantage as represented in the organization, resources,
personnel,and experience of the Hudson' s Bay Company was simply
stupendous. How could American companies, newly organized
with raw recruits and small capital, hope to cope
with a corporation possessing in sole right an im-
perial domain enormously rich in just what suited its
■aims, a capital of two millions and available assets of many mil-
lions more, the stability that activity of one hundred and fifty
years along the same lines gives, and as its working torce a race
bred, adapted and trained to its purposes of exploiting this
vast region with its unnumbered tribes to its profit? I |^ami> re-
ferring now to occupation for purposes of trade with the Indians
and exploitation of the region for furs and not to occupation, for
purposes of agriculture. When conditions were matured for] the
pioneer movement the very influences that had made so strongly
for England in the lower form of occupation told against her quite
as effectively as before they had wrought in her favor.

For the time, however, the agreement between the English and
American governments to a joint occupation resulted in an ex-
clusive occupation by the English company. And immediately
Floyd in the House (1820) and Benton in the Senate were sound-
ing the alarm that we were in danger of losing Oregon. They
urged,further, that with the English fortified there holding influence
over the Indians our northwestern irontier would be exposed to
depredations like those suffered during the English occupation of
the "Old Northwest." These leaders proposed measures to pro-
tect and support American interests on the Columbia. The mat-
ter was kept before Congress almost continuously during this de-
cade. President Monroe iti his annual message in 1824 also urg-
ed the establishment of a military post at the mouth of the
Columbia with the view of protecting and promoting our interests
there. Expansion to the Pacific, however, v.'as an idea that did
not ill the twenties recommend itself to a majority of the two
houses of congress.

The expense of the proposed undertaking and the possibility
that the step would be viewed by England as a violation of the
terms of the existing treaty and thus lead to war were deterring
considerations with the law -makers. An Oregon community as a
state of the Union was generally held as a chimera in that day be-
fore ocean steamships ptid railway locomotion. Those constitution-

INTRODUCTION

xvii

ally conservative without the gift of prophetic vision or the index of
manifest destiny could not but regard it in that light. Under such
conditif >ns to lend further inducement to the westward movement of
a people already possessed of a perverse bent in that direction seemed
to invite a luture separation into Atlantic and Pacific nations.

The termination of the ten-year agreement in 1828 made some
diplomatic action on the matter necessary. England's interests
on the Columbia were now too substantial and preponderant for
her to recede in deference to any claim of title based on discovery and
exploration. And, further, deceived as to the character of the country
she could see no reason fordoubting her ability to maintain her su-
premacy there. The cause of the United Statescould hardly develop
a weaker aspect than it presented at that time. Both were, therefore,
willing to bide thi:ir timeandcontinuethe status of so-called joint
occupation indefinitely subject to termination on a year's notice.

Our chain of right to Oregon had snapped in our failure to hold
our own against the strongly organized English trade. But we
might easily forego that form of occupation if we could only torge
the link of occupation by home-builders. The other links to the
chain of our title had been so gloriously welded to fail at this
point would be a national disgrace. So thought many. The
idea was soon to warm a host of pioneers. It had already set one
mind aflame.

Hall J. Kelley, a Boston school teacher, became in 18 15 an en-
thusiast for saving the Cegon country to the Union through col-
onization. From 1824 on he gave himself up to the work of agi-
tation. In 1828 an emigration society with a large membersiiip
was organized. This was incorporated in 1 831, and the spring
of 1832 was fixed upon as the time for setting out on an overland
expedition to Oregon. But something more than enthusiasm was
needed to get an expedition even mustered, equipped and started
for Oregon, to say nothing of conducting it successfully through
two thousand miles of wilderness.

While preparations for the expedition by the Boston Coloniza-
tion Society were in progress Nathaniel J. V/yeth, then twenty-
nine years old and superintending a flourshing business with some
separate interests of his own, became impressed with the idea there
was a role for him in executing one of his country's trusts for civ-
ilzation. There was in the Oregon territory a remnant of the conti-
nent still to be subdued toman's higher uses and he felt his fitness
for the work. He says, "I cannot divest myself of the opinion
that I shall compete better with my fellow men in new and untried
paths than in those to pursue vvhich requires only patience and at-
tention.' ' He partially engaged to attach himself with a company
to the expedition planned by the Society of which Kelley was the
secretary.

Kelley, the moving spirit of this undertaking, wished to trans-
plant a Massachusetts town to Oregon and mrke it the nucleus of

xviii

INTRODUCTION

a new stale. He hoped to repeat with appropriate variations the
history of the Puritan colony of Massachusetts Bay. The New
Knglander of the nineteenth century, however, was not so ready to
sacrific:^ himself for an idea as had been his progenitors of the seven-
teenth. Unless Kelley could organize conditions so that success
seemed certain, he could not expect the enthusiasm of his follows s
to bear them on. Such conditions he could not organize. Hi
colony failed to muster.

Wyeth had proposed to incorporate his company with Kelley's
colony solely for the strength there is in union. When Kelley
began to falter with his plans, shift dates and change conditions,
Wyeth swung clear of the Oregon Colonization Society and or-
ganized his expedition independently.

The motive that impelled V/yeth to undertake his expeditions
to the Oregon country was that .same primal instinct that has been
the predominant influence in producing the westward movement
of the Aryan peoples since their first promptings of might. The
suggestion was received by Adam in the Garden of Kden when
he was told to subdue the earth and have dominion over its
creatures.

There was much at this time in a Boston environment to bring
the Columbia basin very close to the consciousness of natures en-
dowed as were Kelley and Wyeth. Boston traders had so far
monopolized the American trade with the Indiana on the Pacific
coast that these had no other name for Americans than "Boston
men" The Columbia river had been discovered by a captain in
the employ of a company of Boston merchants. Wyeth was
cognizant of at least half-a-dozen Boston houses that had grown
wealthy in prosecuting the fur trade of the North Paciticcoast.

Kven before starting Wyeth had appreciated the fact that the
American activities beyond the Rockies were of a nomadic order and
that the British company with its established posts was supreme. He
knew that it represented a higher economic organization and was
impregnable against such forms of assault as the Americans had so
far brought against it. He, however, believed that the region
from the Columbia river south to the forty-second parallel and
from the Rocky mountains west to the ocean, a country three
hundred by six hunred miles in extent, was still fairly open for
occupation. He proposed to occupy it. He expected the status
of joint occupation to last but a few years longer. By the time
of its termination the American trade from vessels would have
wholly disappeared before the more economic methods of the
Hudson's Bay Company and his own and he would he left in sole
possession of the region above described.

Wyeth as a New Englander is hardly to be blamed for not
having foreseen the impending pioneer movement. It came from
the western frontier. So precipitately did this sweep on and con-
stitute an occupation by an agricul«^'ral population that there could

INTRODICTION

XIX

not have been successful a occupation by American traders organiz-
ed under the higher form with established posts. Moreover.he un-
derestimated the overwhelmitig strength of the Hudson's Bay
Company and its grim determination not to brook competition.

His was not to be a hide-bound fur Irading enterprise. He be-
gan that which has ))een developed into the great salmon industry
of the North Pacific coast. He located a farm in the Willamette
valley. It was his purpose to select those branches of business
for which he deemed his company most compet','nt and which ap-
peared to hold out the best prospects. Had he been able to get
liis enterprise fairly on its feet his keen business sagacity would
have found and developed those lines for which the time and
countr>' were waiting.

With high American spirit he scorned monopoly privileges. Dif-
ference of nationality and the bitter clash of business interests did
not act as a bar to the good fellowship and mutual regard of
Nathaniel J. Wyeth and Dr. John McLoughlin. A life-long friend-
ship was cemented between them. Fortunate, itideed, it was for
the Knglish and the American peoples that in this crisis they
were represented by men of such depth of character and largeness
of humanity. The restoration of the correspondence that passed
between them would no doubt give much insight into the moving
forces of this period of the history of the Pacific Northwest.

In a summary of his views on the Oregon question submitted to
a Congressional committee in I S39, three years after his return
from his second expedition, Wyeth says: "In conclusion, I will
observe that the measures of this [Hudson's Bay] Company have
been conceived with wisdom, steadily pursued, and have been well
seconded by their government, and the success has been complete;
and without being able charge on them any verj', gross violations
of the existing treaties, a few years will make the country west
of the mountains as English as they can desire. Already the
Americans are unknown as a nation, and, as individuals, their
power is despised by the natives of the land. A population i?
growing out of the occupancy of the country, whose prejudices
are not vviih us; and before many years they will decide to whom
the country shall belong, unless in the meantime the American
government make their power felt and seen to a greater degree
than has yet been the case."

Not yet had he discerned the rising of that human tide on the
western frontier that was so soon to overleap the two-thousand
mile barrier of arid plains, deserts and mountains steeps. Still as
Bancroft says, "He it was who, more directly than any other man,
marked the way fcr the ox-teams which were so shortly to bring
the Americanized civilization of Europe across the roadless
continent."

Hii'i

CORRESPONDENCE FROM THE LETTER BOOK OF

CAPTAIN NATHANIEL J. WYETH,

Referring to His Expeditions. to Oregon.

Philad Augt 30th 1831
Hall J Kelley Esq. (Genl Agent for the Oregon Colonization

Society Boston)

Dear Sir I write to inform you that I shall
not return as soon as I expected having been detained here on
buisness. I shall be in Boston about the 6th of next month, and
will see you as soon thereafter as practicable in regard to my ap-
plication for a scituation in the first expedition to the Oregon
Country.

l5oct Jacob Wyeth a brother of mine now practicing Medicine
and Surgery in N. Jersey at Howell Furnace, wishes me to enter
his name as an applicant for the birth of Surgeon in one of the
companies of the first expedition, which scituation he is desirous
of obtaining only in the event of a scituation being offered me
which I shall accept, he not wishing to remove to that Countr\'
without me. Hf^ is thirty three years old or thereabout was edu-
cated at Harvd. University studied medicine with Mr Revere of
Baltimore and Doct Shattuck of Boston and attended Lectures in
Boston was regularly graduated as a Phisician, he is unmarried.

I am yr obt Servt Nathl. J. Wyeth

II.

1 83 1

one

Cambridge Oct 5th
Bro Charles (Baltimore)

I have received your favour in reply to a former
of mine. The expression of good feelings that it contains you
may be assured are gratifying to my feelings, p[a]rticularly un-
der present circumstances.

All earthly things are uncertaiq and none more so than those,
the accomplishment of which depend upon others and this is the
case in regard to the expedition to Oregon, there is no other
doubt of my going except the failure of the whole concern but as

CORRESPONDRNCR:

[59

this is possible I do not wish you to take the trouble to come here
to utter your last speech and dying confessions at present. The
moment I find there is any certainty of their going I will write
you.

My plan is to go out there and carry with me what property I
can spare after leaving a support for my wife, and do what I can
with it. It will perhaps not much more than get me there, and
after finding what can be done in the fur trade, or other buisness,
write to friends, whom I shall prepare before hand, to send me
the means of doing buisness, of these friends I mean you to be
one, Leond. another, and a third here. More I caji have if
wanted but would rathfer confine myself to these, and what
money I can make for myself or those in whom I have an
interest

NJW

III.

Cambridge Oct 5th 1831
Bro. Jacob (Howell Furnace N. J.)

Yours of the 22 nd ulto is at hand. Many women
are going, but for m^'^ own part I would not carry one iti the first
expedition they will of course ride, the route is practicable for
horses. I will make riding provision for your wife I fear no
diflRculty on the route for any one, but some for the first year
after gecting there. Would it not be better to defer marrying un-
til your wife can get out there by means of the second expedition?
The amt. of salary which you will receive is not worth the trouble
of asking about. If th"? expedition is successful! you will reap a
rich harvest from the buisness of the country' if otherwise you
will loose your time, the salary which Kelley refers to will be paid
you for services as an appendage to an army and the duties of
3'our place will not admit of general practice because 3'our corps
will be moveable. I will pay over the $20 for your ace.

The expedition does propose to leave this the ist Jany. but
most of such appointments are delayed beyond the time set, all
you have to do Is to close your accounts as fast as you can,
and I will infoitn you as soon as I know myself the time wh'^n it
is necessary to start from your place to meet us. All the prepara-
tion I will make for you. Surgical instruments clothing &c we
will purchase on the route in the cities through which we pass,
and if requisite and with your leave draw on Leond for what is
necessary for your fixtures. The route will take in Boston, N
York, Philad. Balto. Cincin[n]ati St Louis, thence in a right line
acrost to the Rocky Mountains overland to near Santa Fee where
there is a pass in the mountains thence a N. W. course to meet
Lewis river down which we go to the Columbia river, the place of
our destination distance from St Louis about 2000 miles. The
b[e]st manner you can invest your property' except what is requi-

6o1

WYRTH'S OREGON EXPKDITIONS.

site to equip you for the Journey is to leave it at interest as a re-
sort in case of failure in your objects out there. Books are too
cumbersome to carry out, the knowledge must go in your head
the books can be got by the second expedition, and the instru-
ments we can purchase in five minutes when I meet you in New
York. The first expedition are all to be soldiers, as much land
as wanted can be bought of the Co. 200 acres is to be a privates
portion what the officers are to have I have not enquired.

N. J. W.
IV.

Cambridge Oct 17 th 1831
To Col J W Neil Boston

Dear Sir In the absence of the Genl.
Agent for the Oregon Colonization Society I take the liberty of
addressing to you the following queries viz Whether any persons
which I may induce to join the first expedition will be attached
to my Company. Whether it is expected that a person receiving
the appointment of a Surgeon is expected to pay the Society' $20
mentioned in their 3rd Circular as a loan and whether there will
be a surgeon appointed to each Company and if so whether a
brother of mine who has received an assurance from Mr Kelley
of an appointment will be connected with my company.

An answer to these particulars and also any information which
you may be disposed to commun cate in regard to the certainty
of an expedition at all, the numbers which may be expected to go
in the first expedition the rouU^ to be taken after leaving St.
Louis, the time when to be commenced &c &c, and also when I
may call on you to confer upon these subjects will be thankfully
received bv

Yr. obt. Servt. Nathl. J. Wyeth

Cambridge Nov nth 1831
Brother Charles (Baltimore)

W^ill you have the goodness to collect
the information required for answering the questions below and
as soon as practicable forward me answers to them. This infor-
mation I have no doubt you will easily obtain from many of your
neighbors and customers who are in the tobacco buisness either
as planters or venders of the same, be pleased to give your an-
swers as definite as possible and be certain that it is correct as it
is required in order to the raising the article as one of trade be-
yond the Rocky Mountains and a mistake would be bad buisness.

I St Should it be planted as early in the season as to be entirely
out of the reach of Frost, or will it bear a slight degree of it.

2nd How should the seed be planted in the field where it is
intended to grow? or in beds to \^ transplanted?

CORRESPONDENCE:

[61

3rd In what scituations and soil? with manure or without? in a
dry or wet place?

4th How thick will it thrive

5th what mode of culture is "required weeding? training, gath-
ering at what time

6th [What] method is -used to cure it and how kept after it is
cured

7 th How is the seed obtained at what time gathered How
treated and kept and what is the ordinary quantity required per
cwt. of the product usually

Beside these queries be good enough to make any remark
which you think will be usefuU in the culture of the plant.

As time passes on the project of emigration assumes form and
shape, and a nearer approach toward certainty. I think there is
little doubt of my going, for I find that I can get good men who
will follow me on a trading project, on the basis of division of
profits, and this thing I will do (if I can) if the emigration fails.
I believe I can find other men who will for a certain other, share
of profits furnish all the money wanted which will not be great,
for I mean to have a cargo ready there, before a vessell leaves
here and the investment will be only the trading articles sent
out, the return cargo will pay the freight, and possibly be in time to
meet the notes given for the articles sent me. It is about 10 months
voyage there and back. It appears to me that if I can find means
to get the men out there with articles of trade suf[f]icient with their
exertions as hunters, smiths &c to obtain a cargo, that finding
persons to send out a vessell and cargo of trading articles on the
strength of it will not be dif[f]icult. This I have no doubt I can
accomplish to the extent of 50 men with equipments, and articles
of trade as many as they can carry with some iion and steel for
our smiths to work up, and traps for catching furs, and with them
I have no doubt I can scrape together a cargo for a vessell of 1 50
Tons in the course of a year. After having done this of [or?] so
nearly done it as to be sure of doing it I shall write home for the
vessell and an invoice of articles of trade, which from my then
acquired knowledge I shall be competent to do.

Present my respects to all your folks wife and little one, tell
Charlie I am going where I can catch him a wild horse to play
with I think the Idea will take his fancy much

N.J. W.

P. S. Will you have the goodness to send me what informa-
tion you can respecting the route from your City to Pitsburg, and
thence to St. Louis by way of the river. Name the distance, fare,
and mode of conveyance from Balto. to Pitsburg the fare down
the river whether the boats will take Horses and Wagons whether
they will reduce the fare in consideration of our number sle[e]p-
itig on deck &c or not, with the times required to make the dif-

62]

WYETirS ORRGON RXPRDITIONvS.

ferent routes with any other information you may be able to add.
I wish to know also if the boats go in the night.

VI.

Cambridge Nov 12th 1831
Brother Jacob (Howell Furnace Monmouth County New Jersey)

In case the contemplated colonization project
should fail it is still our intention to go to the new Country in
which case we shall form ourselves into a Trading Company in
furs. It is the object of the present letter to ascertain whether
•in such case you will follow us in your capacity as surgeon your
compensation will be a certain share of the profits of the concern
and your exertions in forwarding the interests of the concern wiU
be required not only in administering to our own men but also
to the Indians the pa^-ment for which will go into the common
stock your answer is wanted immediately if in the affirmctive x
will take care that an equitable share of the profits is obtained
for you in the contract and other requisite provisions made
for you

I am &c N J Wyeth
VII.
Cambridge Nov 14th 1831
Brother Leonard (New York)

I write to request you to collect what information
you can in respect to the route up the Hudson and through the
Canal to Buffaloe thence by the Lake to Erie on Lake Erie atid
thence by the Canal to Pitsburg thence down the Ohio to the Mis-
souri Branch and up to St Louis

Any information you can gather respecting these routes will be
valuable and is wanted in order to the fixing of a route for our
troops We wish to know if any deduction will ba made in con-
sideration of our numbers say 50, what are the rates of passages
usualy paid a person and per Ton for Baggage up the Hudson to
the Canal what are the rates on the Canal for person and Bag-
gage at what rate they travel on it whether thev travel all night
whether any saving could be made by marching during the day
and taking passage during the night, and whether their rate of
traveling is faster than the march of men, what the expence of
toll is on the Canal for a Boat with 50 men and their Baggage,
what is the facility of goiivg from Buffaloe to Erie and by wliat
means and what rates of fare and what distance and the time re-
quired for the voyage, what the Length of the Canal from Erie to
Pitsburg and the other queries relative to the Hudson and the I\rie
Canal as above, also what information you can obtain in regard to
the river route from Pitsburg to St Louis. If in your way you can
also give me some information concerning the route from N York
to Pitsburg by way [of] Pliilad and Baltimore making as little
Land traveling on said route as possible also bear in mind in our

CORRKSrONDKNCK:

[63

travel we cook for and lodge ourselves and will for suitable
compensation or reduction of Fare do any work that will not
retard our passage and rec^uire nothing but the uper deck if
these things would lessen the expence.

If the Colonization Society go through with their project I shall
go out in their service if not I shall get up a Joint Stock Trading
Concern (if I can) and go on with a similar plan but on a smaller
scale the details of which I will give you as far as settled \yhen you
come this way which I hope will be before the ist Jny we shall
not probably start before ist April from this place provided we go
out on the last maned [named?] plan [No signature.]

VIII.

Cambridge Nov 28, 1831
Saml S. Hamilton Esq (Washington)

Chief clerk of Bureau of Indian affairs
Sir

Having in contemplation to undertake an expedi-
tion to the west of the Rocky Mountains for the purpose of trade,
and to that section of the coast claimed l)y the Americati (iovt. I
am desirous of obtaitiing information in regard to the Laws regu-
lating Indian trade. In the course of the contemplated expedi-
tion transactions maybe had with tribes this side of the Mountains.
It is the object of the present communication to request of you
the favor of pointing out to me the best mode of obtaining this in-
formation, or if it is embodied in a Pamphlet form at your office
to forward the same to my direction. In case I have applied to
the wrong person for this information will you have the goodness
to send this letter to the proper person and much oblige

Vr Obt Servt N. J. W.

IX.

Cambridge Dec 4th 1831
Brother Charles (Baltimore

Your favour of 28 Nov is at hand and
contains all the information that is wanted and for which I am
much obliged to you, but as one good turn deserves another I will
trouble you to be on the lookout for a man who is competent to
rearing Tobacco and who will Join our expedition on the terms
hereinafter mentioned as the foundation upon which all the others
are to go for the terms are to be all alike with the exception ot
myself and the surgeon. The plan now proposed by me is to have
nothing to do with the Oregon Society, but to form a Joint Stock
Concern composed of 50 persons who are to be bound to each other
for the term of 5 years for the purpose of following under my
direction the trade and buisness of that Country in all its branches
selecting those for which we deem ourselves most competent and
which appear to us to hold out the best prospects and to be de-
termined upon on the spot all expenses are a charge against the

64]

WYKTM'vS ORRGON KXPRDITIONvS.

amount of proceeds, Freight Charter party Cost of goods and all
disbursements of every description the residue after this deduction is
to l)e divided into 50 equal parts 8 of which are to be mine 2 are for
the Surgeon and Doctor and the remaining 40 are divided equally
among the men. I am to procure all credits wanted for the ex-
pedition and all disbursements necessary for their fitting out with
the exception of their personal C([uipments and expences as
far as I'Vanklin Missouri.

This plan I have adopted in preference to hiring all the men
and ta'cing Capital at the halves, for which I have many offers,
liecause I thyik that hired men would not effect so much as those
who have a share of the profits, and probably could not be kept
together at all, in conseciuence of which Half profits would not
amoutit to as much as ray present plan gives me, also the scitua-
tion I would be in would be more difficult and attended with more
risque as pay of men would amount to a large sura and would
have to be paid prolits or no profits. This plan obliges me to raise
some 5000$ for articles of trade, munitions of hunting, stock for
manufacturing and the like including horses from St. Louis to
carry baggage, and a few provisions $2000 to $2500 I shall have
to borrow of you and Leonard, for I will not ask it of anyone
else even if I go without it and if you agree to lend it to me j'ou
will get it again if I ever return if not charge it to my ace. in the
next world this money will be wanted on my draft from X. Or-
leans or St Louis given about the 20th April. Will you write
we whether 3'ou can lend me this sum or half of it as soon as con-
venient The residue say 2500 to 3000$ I shall have of my own
that I can spare from the support of my wife. With regard to
the vessell and cargo of Trading articles I cannot order them to
advantage until I know the trade which will not be until I have
remained in the country a short time, and I ^/n/// not order au}--
thing until I have on hand a return cargo of the results of our ex-
ertions, and of the firsi stock taken with us, as a pledge to offer
those persons who charter me a vessell and which being insured
on their passage home will answer as a remittance to pay for the
articles sent out by the vessell whichif purchased at a credit of a
year they will be in good season to pay for, and this buisness too I
am in hopes to manage between you and Leonard, and I do not see
as you need run any risque in this last matter except of my good
faith, as the operation will be predicated on the amount of avails
which we have at the moment of our ordering actually on hand
and to which may be also added all that will be collected between
the time of ordering the vessell and her arrival. When you an-
swer this letter which do soon answer what you are able to do in
tliis matter also. In addition to the offer Mr. Jarvis made me of
assistance in Xew York last summer, he has again offered me by
letter any assistance which I may want. This is very good in him
and will be duly remembered, but I do not wish to avail myself

coRR I':spondi':nci::

[65

of it if" I can avoid it wliich I am confident that I .shall be able to
do. Something however depends upon your answer. The
reason why I wish not to accept of Mr. Js ofler is that I have
no claim upon his kindness and I can offer him no prospect of
profit lie for the first five years at least all the profit which /can
sfiare must go to those who earn them, but after the expiration
of the first term ray acquired knowledge will be such as to war-
rant me in taking charge of a buisness in which it would be safe
and profitable to invest money to a large amount and then those
who assist me now will receive their reward, but at present men
have not confidence enough in the enterprise to embark their
persons in it unless they can have a large share of the profits.

I think you had best aliandon the idea of coming on here this fall
or winter at least until further news. It is most probable I shall
pass through your city on my route to Pitsburg. As far as I now
know a packet from this to your place will be the best plan.

My best respects to wife and remember his uncle to the little
Boys.

I am afFtly yrs Nat hi J. Wyeth

Cambridge Dec 5th 1831.
Trother Leonard (N. York)

Since writing you last I have received from Jacob
an order on you at sight for 5^600. This I obtained from him on
account of his outfit which I can make to more advantage for him
than he can for himself $100 is the extent of what I shall spend
for him on this account, and this sum will be wanted about ist
April certainly not before, and can probably be taken up in Bal-
timore of Charles for in all probability our route will be by pack-
ett from this -o Balto. direct and thence to Pitsburg. The resi-
due of the Draft please retain in your hands in the same manner
as though it had been accepted by you, this in order that he may
not make a pretext of the expedition for spending the little re-
maining money he has and which if given to his order will be en-
tirely useless to him and to the expedition.

The colonization Society have so far altered their plan as to join
the first and second expeditions into one and both go by the way
of St. lyouis, Platte River Lewis River Lake Tirapanagos,*
Columbia &c. This plan I do not like as women and children
can not get started from St Louis before the ist July. They do
not propose to set out before the ist June and there will be at
least one months falling off from the time set. This with the un-
avoidable delay of such a cavalcade will make the ist Sept. before
reaching the pass of the Rocky Mountains at the head of the

*"A map of the Internal Provinces of New Spain" given with Coues"'Ex-
pedition of Z. M. Pike" practicall)' identifies this with the Great S:dt Lake
of Utah.

66|

wvETirs oRrcoN KxrKniTioNs.

Platte River and this is but half way and it is necessary to reach
the placo of Destination a sufficient time before the ist Nov to
make provision for the winter as al)out that time a s^'^'^t part of
the Indians from whom supplies might be had as well as the great-
er part of the Birds and IJeasts leave the comitry for southern
quarters a;id the fish leave the River for the Sea, and a i)arty so
composed and so large will call for all the exertions of all the men
attached to th.em, and then leave much undf)ne that might con-
duce to the comfort of the party, and in this way it will be at
least a year, and I fear longer, before we shall get any time to de-
vote to the purj)oses for which we go out viz. making mc)ney, and
for this they offer only the poor . dvantage of 200 acres of land,
which is hardly a quid pro tpio, ])eside which there is some dan-
ger that they may get into so much dinculty as to be obliged to
return, which would be an entire defeat of our enterprise, for it
would be hard to get men to travel over the same ground twice.
It is quite as much as I can do to get good men the first time atid
after one failure it will not be possible to get them to start again.

These considerations have induced me to delay entering into
any agreement with them until the last moment, and not then
unless I am better satisfied with their arrangement than 1 am now.
If the advantages appertaining to the vSociety can be obtained
without a material sacrifice of my own ol)jects I will join them
but not otherwise.

My plan (in whicli I have proceeded so far as to raise "•6
men) is to raise 50 men to go out to that country so early
as to leave St. Louis on the ist May 1S32 for the purpose
of following the trade of that country in all its branches
for which we deem ourselves competent. Many of these
men are manufacturers in the various branches of iron work man-
facturing of arms and ammunition and a few to cultivate such ar-
ticles as are of use to ourselves and in the Indian trade such for in-
stance as tobacco. The proceeds of the exertions of these men
are to be divided into 50 equal parts, 2 of which are to belong to
Jacob if he goes out as surgeon or to whoever is surgeon 8 to my-
self and 40 to the 48 remaining men or fit the same ratios for a
diferent number of men. I am to furnish all the camp equipage
and trading articles necessary for our first outfit to the extent
of 5000$, and to procure credit for the Co. for a ve.ssell and an
Invoice of trading articles to be ordered to that country when a
quantity of avails sufiiicient to secure the payment for the same
has been collected. The first disbursement of 5000$ as well as
ihe freight and cost of articles sent out and all other disburse-
ments of every description are to be deducted from the gross pro-
ceeds before the division mentioned above in other words for fur-
nishing the use of 5000$ in cash, and the required credit for ves-
sell and Invoice of articles for which I have the goods to pledge 1
am to have the exertions of 7 men beside myself. This though

c()RRr:sP()Ni)r;xci';:

[67

not :i laru^e share of .(Tross profits is a j^^ooci share oF nett profits,
and I shall have to strain some to acv-oniplish ni>' part of the con-
tract. 2500 or 3<x)o5 of the cash I have (Jii hand the residue I
must borrow aud I hope to he able to ^et it between you and
Charles. I also hope to jjet you or Charles to manage the getting
me a vessell to bring the articles I send for and bring home
those I have collected. The vessell may be taken up and the
freight to be ])aid on the delivery of the home cargo and thus far
managed witliout money, aud ])robably the goods sent for might
be purchased on rui obligation to pay at the end of the year or on
the return of the vessell and the consideration for length of
credit made in the price, aud for security the home bouiul cargo
insured, an invoice of which I will send you when the order is
sent for the vessell and the goods. If you feel disposed to favor
me so far as to lend me on ist Ajiril next the whole or half of the
cash wanted over and above what I have say 20005 or 2500 if the
whole and loon to 1500^; if you can furnish but half and take up-
on yourself to manage the sending out of the vessell, you would
favor roe })y answering in the affirmative. I know it will be in-
convenient for you but at some rate or other I must accomplish
it and I at present know of no other means without I resort to
Mr. Jarvis wlio has recently made tue an offer of assistance by
letter but I feci an alm(«t insuperable objection to u.sing him or
puting myself under any oliligations to him. I have offers of
plenty of cash for half profits l)Ut in this case so small a share of
prolits can be offered the men that good ones cannot be induced
to go and hiring must be resorted to and I ajiprehend that a j it
of hired men would make m^^ scituation very difiicult. They
would desert me, would be idle while in the employment and if
not their pay alone would take a large share of the ]irolits and
render m}- then half profits a smaller sum than my present 16 per
cent, besides the greater dificulty of getting up an expedition on
such a fotnidation.

Please write me what time I may expect you this month or
when I may think of seeing you if you cannot come this month.
It is quite requisite that I should see you before I to and I appre-
hend if I see you at all it must be here for unless your informa-
tion is more fivorable than I expect in regard to the Canal and
Lake Erie route I shall take packett from here direct to Baltimore.

The country looks like the spirit of Winter had passed over it
in tempest and frost leaving a legacy of a foot of snow behind
him and a gale of wind from the N. W. I hope the cold will con-
tinue until I am done icing which will be with good luck ajjout
in time for a move. I am now all in heaps having j ust moved
into my new house and things are not yet put to rights.

Be pleased to give my affectionate regards to your good wife
and kiss the little ones for their uncle Nat. and believe that 1
remain Y Afte Bro. X. J. W.

fiSl

WVJ-.TH'S ORKCON HXI'MDITION'S.

XI.

Dec. Sth iH^^i
I'rother Jacol)

(Howell i'uniacc Monmouth Cy. N. Jersey)

Yours of the 25tli ulto. is at hand coiitaiiiiiifj; your answer in
the aftinuative to my ([uery "of whether in case the ( Jre^on Col-
onization fail in their objects" you wonlil join a tradinj^ expe-
dition to the same jiarts. I have entered your name as one of
the Co. The formation of a Tradinj; Co. on a similar ])lan
to the Hudson Hay and North West is the idtiraate object of
my ji^oinR to that country, and t/iis new i)lan is no farther new
than so far as to form the Co. here in stead of after j^ettiiii:^ cnit
to the place of destination, and to this alteration I am induced
by a fear of the failure of their plans, and a desire that mine may
be carried into elTect in any case. The first ]ilan would be the
best in-as-mucli as men tied in the toils of such exjieoitions,
might be pickeil out, the second is best in that it enables me to
go on in case the .Company do not, and also to go on indejiend-
cntly of them if their arrangements are such as do not meet my
approbation. Now in the first place I think they will fail en-
tirely of g«:)ing, but supposing they do not, they have so far
clianged their plans as to luiite their 2 expeditions into one,
comprising a host of men who are merely cultivators of the earth,
unused to any hardships, and unwilling to meet any, women and
children and to start on the ist June. Vou have seen how true
my predictions were in regard to their first start, and the>' will
be equally true in regard to this. If they propose the ist
June they will not cotainly go before the ist July, and after that,
allowing the best luck they will not reach any of the passes of
the Mountains before the ist vSeptember, and that is the latest
month of their proper arrival at their place of destination, and is
only half the way from St Ivouis. Vou may judge yourself how
much such a host must suffer h\ arriving at their Destination at
the Commencement of winter, when the natives (of whom sup-
plies may oe had), leave the coiuitry, as well as beasts, IJirds and
iishes, and also that it is a sacrifice of one years time in our buis-
ness and for which we gain nothing but such a tittle as they can
give us of 200 acres of land each. This is not a "([uid pro quo"
and if they manage their liuisness as I apprehend they mean to
do I shall wash my hands clean of them, at least if I can get
along with my plan without them.

In this state of tlie case I have not paid to them the 20% on
your account, but have made an arrangement by which if I choose.
I can with all my Co. be exempt from paying the «ame by being
answerable for all the disbursements of my Co. aftar leaying vSt.
Ivouis and still retain the ordinary iiriviledgcs of emigrants. 1
shall not make my election until I find v.iiat their arrangements
are in order to see whether it is worth while.

LMIURKSrONDIvXCi;:

f6.;

'I'he loimdatioti of the division ofjirolils in tins ronc'rn will he,
niyst'lf tor fiirnishinjj; the re(|iiisite o:ipit;il ;in<l leading the same S
parts The surv^eon 2 \y.iris |.S nwn poparts, the wliolc i)r>)fils I)f'-
in.^ divided into 50 parts; division at the cud of tiie eontraol vi/ 5
years.

Vonr Draft has ])jen thily received and please notify Leonard
that it has been ^iven, all arrangements I will notif>' to \-oii
in season only one suit of clothes will he rcciuired for you and
this one suitable to apjiear like a j^entleman in the ]ilaces throuj^h
^vhich we ^o. A luiiform dress will be provided Ibr vou and
arms. Keep all your surgical instruments but buy no more We
will buy them in IMiilad. or I'alto. as we goon, which will be about
the ist April next whether the .Society go or not. I xlitill dcU^y
no longer. In the mean lime conlimie your buisuess or if you
must come this way before you go close it and ([uit it and go [o]u
with ns. The chief cost of the journey will be coming this wa>- for
I shall travel cheaplv oa the nnite outwartls.

Vrs X. J. W.

XII.

Cambridge Dec. 19th 1S31.
To the Hon. \\. iCverett

Sir

Ivnclosed you have a letter from Mr.
Xuttall containing in part luy views in regard to this application
to the executive. I have to repeat that no view ()f emolument
induces it Init only a desire to sjrve the views of the (iovt. in re-
gard to that Country. It has occured to me that theCJovt. might
avail itself of my services to obtain information concerning that
Country which in time would be useful to them. I would v.ill-
ingly devote a portion of my time to their service without other
ci)m])ensation than the respectability attached to all tliose wh:)
serve their country, and the advantage of having some employ-
ment for tlie mind, in a buisuess that will afford much Leisure.

In order to t)ie better understanding [of] my advantages for
collecting information I will detail to you my plan of operations,
which is the formation of a Joint .Stock Tradin^^ Company of
about 50 men to proceed to the Country, without positively set-
tling the particular buisuess in which they will engage but to be
dictated i)y circumsnances when there (probably the fur buisuess
will be selected). This company will leave this vicinity some
time from the ist March to the ist April ne':t. 31 persons
have already entered their names. This body will go out in
company with the Oregon Colonization Society provided that so-
ciety do go at about that time, but will go without them in case they
do not move near the time above named, and are to be no other-
wise coiuiected with them, than may be dictated by convenience on
the route as far as the sources of the Columl)ia. The contract hy

7"]

\VVF-:TirS OKI-CON IvXl'I'DITIONS.

which this Co. is houiul lojrelher is to continue chirinjf 5 years,
and if snccessfull is to he extended through an indefinite time.

I have to ask that you will communicate this offer to the (lov-
ernmentin case you deem proper, or if you think it better that I
make application personally! with relFerence to you) I will do so, hut
I have to re(iuest you in nuch case to inform me what department
of I should apply to for this purpose. In conclusion I must ask
yor to excuse the liberty I have taken in troubling an entire
stranger witn ray aff"airs but I am induced to do so l)}- your well
known re[a]diness to serve vour constituents and your ability
to do so.

I am Respectfully Vr. Obt. vServt. Nathl J. W'yeth

1'. S. In case you should answer this, it would much oblige
me if you would indicate some method by which I can obtain
copies of two treaties in regard to the Country claimed by the V.
S. on the Pacific Ocean, and made with (i. H. somewhere about
the years 1.S17 &: 1S2S.

XIII.

Cambridge Dec 26th 1831
Hro Jacob

(Howell Furnace Monmouth Cy. N. Jersey)
Yours of the 16 inst. at hand. I wrote you on the Sth Dec.
an answer to your letter of 25th of Nov. last the following
is a summary of my letter of the Sth inst. That I considered
5'our letter as an engagement on your part to go to that Country
as a member of a trading Co. in case the Society do not go. That
the Society have so far altered their plans as to join their two ex-
peditions into one. That I considered this joining of the two ex-
peditions as ver>' objectionable in-as-much as it encumbers us with
a heavy mass or women and children and other helpless persons
whereby great delay and probable failure will ensue. That I have
not paid in the 20S on your account but have made an arrange-
ment by which with all ray Co. I can be exempt from paying the
same by being answerable for all our expenses after leaving St.
lyouis, and still retain the ordinary priviledges as emigrants. That
I should not make my election whether to be answerable for the
said expence or pay in the 20$ until the last moment. That the
foundation of the division of profits would be S parts to myself
for leading and furnishing the recjuired capital, 2 parts to the
surgeon 40 parts to be diveded among the men, contract to last
5 years. That your draft had been received and requested you
to inform Leonard that the same had l)een drawn. That one
suit of clothes will be requisite for you and this one suitable to
appear as a gentleman in, a uniform dress will be provided for you.
To keep all your surgical instruments but to buy no more, they
are to bp got in Balto. We go a])Out the 1st April next
certainlv not later.

CORRKSPONDKNCK:

[71

'.i i

The iibove is a short summary of my hist letter to you this let-
ter )'ou have probably received before this time. I have to re-
quest that you will continue your buisness to the last moment.
I will notify you in season of our movement from this place, and
as far as I can see ttiis will be the ist March from here in a ves-
sell to Balto. to which place you can then transfer your person
and baggage, a" of which, not suitable to carry can be packed
and left for a future conveyance by water. Your request in re-
gard to the Centinel shall be attended to. Your reouest to ob-
tain guarantee and commission from the Society, I \v-ill also at-
tend to under the limitations contained in my last. The specu-
lations at the close of your letter are those of all who look at the
map but neither 3'our or my daj's will see them verified, but our
enterprise may lay a foundation. Leonard has just left here and
informs me that your funds are in the hands of Charles and
therefore he could not accept your draft. This draft I will keep
and return when I see you and please send me a similar one on
Cuarlc^

N. J. W
XIV.
Charleston Dec 27th 1831

Cap Dixie \\'ild (Boston)

Sir

the verbal
wish to be

In putting into writing
preposition which I made you this morning, I do not
understood that it is the only shape in which it would be accept-
able, but only that this form is one that is readily understood by
the parties, and I should conceive that in this way each would
sooner come to an understanding of the others views on the sub-
ject. That those wl:o furnish the vessell and articles of trade
would better uuderstand what they are to gain by such risk and
trouble, and that those so furnished would know at one view
what they are to pay for the same. If this view meets your ap-
probation you have only to say for what per ct. you will enter
into the requisite engagements. If any other form of compact
salts you better, you will oblige by proposing the same. That a
party is to proceed to the Country near the sources of the Colum-
bia to De Fuca streights as may be decided, to leave here be-
tween the ist March and ist April next, and from whence as
soon as may be send home an account of the valuable articles
which they have collected, and a schedule of such articles as are
wf.nted for that trade, and for the substantial correctness of the ac-
count of such collections of articles the agent of such Co. will be
bound in the sum of 2000$ to be used as an indemnity for loss
occasioned by intentionally false information on the subject.
That you are not bound to disburse any sum or moneys for any
purpose until information has been received of the collection of
such quantity of articles as will according to ordinary- judgement

7a]

WYRTH'S ORR(>ON RXPRDITIONS.

(

and under usual circumstances pay the cost and charges of a voy-
age out and home.

That after such information has been received you are as soon
as can be to fit out a vessell or vessells such as are required, one
certainly and more if j'ou deem proper, and put on board the
same at your cost such an invoice of articles as may be required by
the agent of said Co. That interest at the rate of ten per cent on
the cost of the vessell including insurance and repairs, and the
actual disbursements of the voyage for men, provisions &c, cost
of articles sent out and 8 per cent int. including insurance, shall
be considered the cost of the voyage and that you are to agree to
furnish as al ove and for your profit in the buisness are to have
— per cent and that this agreement is to last as long as the party
continue together under their first contract viz 5 years, or until
they dissolve the contract by unanimous vote of said party, which
shall in no case be done with a view to evade this agreement, but
will remain in force against me personally so long as I shall con-
tinue in any way engaged in that trade, until the expiration of
the said 5 years.

If you or your friends wish to make any enquiries concerning
me I beg leave to refer you and them to Mr David Devan of this
place who knows more of my buisness character than any other
person.

I am &c. N. J. W.

XV.

Cambridge Jany 3d 1H32
Brother Charles (Baltimore)

Your favour of the 17th ulto. is at
hand. I write in haste to request you to place the note of 888
25-100 aganist Morton Brown & Co in the hands of Judah Touro
Esq. of New Orleans and at my disposal. If the note is good
some goods can be purchased there as wel' as elsewhere for our
buisness please advise him to look to me for instructions on the
subject. Please make what exertion you can to procure the to-
bacco man, more than one if convenient anr' they are suitable
men. I shall leave here about the ist March for your place by
vessell and shall see you there and thank you personally for your
kindness in thus assisting me in my nroject.s. I shall endeavour
that you do not suffer by it. Jacob seme time since gave me aii
order for 600$ on Leonard this order being impropcrh- drawn on
h I have written Jacob to exchange tor one on you This I had
done with a view to preventing him from spending it on his outfits
for which purpose now nothing is necessary. This sum I shall
not draw from you in any case further than the small aint. recpii-
site for J outfits, but wish to know if in case of unexpected need
of money at St. Louis for itulispensible articles and the want of
which I cannot provide against or obtain in any other way if I

iiiirill

i!i.

CORRKSPONDKNCK:

[73

can draw it from you any need of so doing I shall avoid if there
is any power in me to do so but it is possible that I may so far
miscalculate as to be under the necessity of a little more money
than I may happen to have left at that place. Please answer this
question in your next. With this last assurance and with the note
and what L. will do and my own cash I shall make out to do.
As it regards vessells and goods to be sent me I apprehend I have
made an arrangement that will provide for all this of this I am
not certain but the negotiation has proceeded so far that I think
it will be closed and on quite as good terms as I could expect. The
other particulars of your letter I have not time to answer but will
talk over matters when I see you on my journey out. Jacob is
not yet married and in his recent letters to me he has not men-
tioned the subject and I hope he will go without for the reasons
you name. I hope your children are now recovered. Give your
^"ife my respects and remind little Charles and Nathaniel of their
'.xle Nathaniel

Affcty Yr Bro Nath. J. Wyelh

XVI.

Cambridge Jany 3d 1832
Solomon K. Livermore Esq

(Milford New Hampshire)
Dear Sir I have an unexpected visit from your son w" 10 has
left his school of which I suppose he has apprised 5'ou. He seems
to me to have arrived to that time of life at which a young man
should have chosen some buisness to meet the wants of existence,
and done something to fit himself for it. In this line he appears
to have done nothing effectual, and he to me seems mortified at
the fact. The pride which produces this feeling is laudable and
denotes at bottom a well toned mind, and it will certainly even-
tuate in something either for his weal or for woe. To humour
and direct rather than repress this feeling it appears to uv: i^'
the best policy. He talks of the sea and other things, but has >o
settled determination except to do something. This determine
tion ought to be indulged. He wishes to join our expedition to
the Country west of the Rocky Moutitains and I think that it
would be well for him to do so, his share of the profits will be
large: yi of an equal division. He can there spend nothing, all
that his division comes to will be in his hands when he comes
home, and judging from the course of that trade heretofore it
would Ije no small sum. The countr>' is entirely healthy, the
Indians mild in their natures, and entirely peacible. Ves-
sells are to be in our employ to run between this place and that,
to insure the requirements of trade, of life and means of return-
ing if requisite. The contract will give me 8 parts for taking
charge of the buisness and furnishing capital, the surgeon will
have two parts the residue of 50 persons will have 40 parts to 4i-

74]

WYETirS OREGON EXPEDITlONvS.

vide among them contract to last 5 years. I think his turn of
mind quite suitable to this buisness and I should be glad to have
him to go with me, and will endeavour to do well by him. I shall
give him no encouragement to go on this or anj- other scheme
without your consent, but think you would do well to give
it. He will return home in a few days.

Excuse th^" liberty I have taken in thus intruding my ideas up-
on you but the similarity of his scituation to my own at about
his time of life induces me to speak freely in regard to him and
to say what he cannot as well say for himself.

Be pleased to give my respects and love to all your family and
be assured I remain Yr Af. Nephew

N. J. W.

P. S. His equipment and expences as far as St. Louis are
paid by himself in all 50$ this if you determine to let him go you
can give him or I will furnish him with it and take it from his
share of the profits. We are to leave about the ist March.

XVII.

Cambridge Jany 6th 1S32
Hon. Iv Everett (Washington)

Dear vSir Your favour of 24 ulto. has been received. From what
1 can learn Genl. Cass is of the right stamp of character to make ap-
plication to in this matter, but I cannot spare time for a personal
interview, being very much engaged in preparation for moving
which I intend to do by the ist March. If the matter could be
opened to Genl. Cass and his views in some measure ascertained
to be favorable I would come to your city and finish the buisness
during the time that it would require for my men to march from
Balto. to Pitsburg. I cannot think of delaying mj- movements
for an object for which I ask no other compensation than the
honor of conveying to the Govt, information which will soon be
of great value to them. I will request you if consistent with
your view of the case to broach the matter to either of the De-
partments as you deem most suitable and then to advise me
whether it is worth my while to come to your city in my way
out to 'Pitsburg.

I believe that it is not lawful for armed bodies of men to pass
through theCountr>'. I would beg leave to enquire of 3'ou whether
any perm ission is required to be had for so doing and if so to ob-
tain the same for me, and also what sort of licence or permission
if any is requisite for trading with the Indians beyond the R(x:ky
Mountains.

I herewith enclose a petition which was handed me by Mr.
Kelley and signed by some of those who propose to go with me
in this enterprise. \Ve have no connection with Mr. Kelleys
enterprise further than accident and circumstances ma>' indicate,
and only wish that sometliing should be done as an inducement for

1 8

CORRESrONDKNCr;:

[75

Americans i^encra/ly to go out to that Country in order to form
a preponderating interest there to counteract that of the British
already established. Oovt. would poorly serve our interests in
granting to the Oregon Society any exclusive priviledges
there. Nothitig on our part is desirable excepting aid to get
men out there and the enacting of some laws for their regulation
when there and then leave us to ourselves. I should be sorry if
these petitions should have any other effect than to call the atten-
tion of Congress to the subject in such manner as to induce them to
act as their wisdom may dictate, in aiding good men to form a set-
tlement in that region and to assume the government of the Col-
ony when there, and not as the petition may possibly be con-
strued to mean to throw the trade or government of the Country
into the hands of this or any other society, neither is it our inten-
tion to follow our trade in connection or under the patronage of
that Society. I wish you to understand that it is at your option
to present this petition or not. If you conceive that it will for-
ward our interests as above explained, present it, if it is to serve the
purpose of throwing the controul and trade of that Country into
the hands of a society, whose buisness should be to aid men in
getting there, and then leave them to form their own mode of
society, withhold it.

I have to thank you for your kindness in regard to the treat-
ies, and ask you to excuse the liberties I take in thus troubling you.

I am &c &c N. J, W.

XVIII.

Cambridge, Jany ii 1832
Brother L,eonard

(N. York)

Not having heard from 3'ou since you
were here I have been fearfuU you had writen and the letter
miscarried. If this is the case please send me a duplicate as I am in
want of the names of the persons whose address you proposed to
get for me at St. Louis. This is a matter that demands immedi-
ate attention. Since you were here I have had letters from
Charles. What he can do with what you proposed will answer
my purpose. Please, let me kno^^' definitely and as soon as pos-
sible what and when you can do. Upon further investigation I
find that there will be no dificulty as regards vessells, as they
always leave that coast but partly filled, consequently remittan-
ces to meet the exigences of the buisness may be made in them
at reasonable rates, beside which I have nearly closed with one,
already in the trade, who will send out vessell and goods as soon
as I leave here and to arrive there about the time that I may
be expected.

&c N. J. W.

I I

76]

WYIvTirvS ORROOX IvXPKDITIOXS.

XIX.

Cambridge Jany i6th 1832
Brother Leonard (X York)

Yours of the loth inst. is at hand.
The sums which you mention may be available to me in some
shape and if so they will be used of which due notice will be giv-
en you. The draft of the furnace altho common I should like to
have if conveuieut as it will ba as good in any other and I have
no small one. It can be sent to me in care of Chas. in Baltimore.
You have done well to say nothitig to Mr. Osgood as he could not
do enough to help me, and one great credit is easier gotten than
twenty small ones.

Give my thanks to Mr. Osgood for his kindness in regard to
the letter but inform him that it will not be used unless the pres-
ent negotiation fails and I do not wish to broach the matter to
any but those who are to be eventualy concerned if possible to
avoid it.

The object which I propose to accomplish through an acquaint-
ance at St. lyouis is to have my drafts cashed on Judah Touro a
person well known in that section of country and residing at
N. Orleans in whose hands I shall place funds and obtain a letter
of credit for the amount from him to them. I have money at N.
Orleans of my own and some which Chas. has lent me, which I
may or may not use as circumstances may indicate. The drafts
may be at sight and the money is wanted to purchase goods for
the Indian trade. Letters of introduction to as many different
people as possible are desirable in order to get information con-
cerning Indian trade and other matters connected with the pur-
suit of it. I am happy to hear that 3^our loss is all insured I pre-
sume you mean with the exception of what you might have made
from them and the loss you sustained by not having them, which
is or is not a loss as the case may be.

This day received a request by letter from Mr. C. your, partner
to join the expedition. I presume he means if indeed he
means anything as a partner. As this cannot be, I shall
after considering the matter with due attention answer in the
disuasive. He must be very ignorant of his capabilities. As no
one knows the extent of his ignorance of himself all we have to
do is to pray that we are not in the same darkness of which we
accuse others. Be so good if the fact was not known to you be-
fore as to keep it to yourself to save appearances both for him and
me as I do not wnsh to be an informer on the actions of any one
however much I may think that he needs a guardian.

Y &c N. J. W

CORR KSPON DKXC I':
XX.

[77

Camhriclge

Janv 1 8th 1832
Mr The. Buche

IN York) Dear vSir

Your favour of 14th inst is at
hand I think you have done well to remain where you are
\intil you set out to meet us at Balto. I have no idea of whom the
person could have been who called on Mr. S. Swartnoute. It
could hardly have been any one who had a knowledge of our en-
terprise but must have been some one desirous of joining the em-
igration to the same country under the auspices of the Society-
formed in Boston for that purpose and with whom I do not pro-
pose any connection. As you wish to shew this letter I shall
omit answering in it some parts of yours. The subjects to which
I allude are satisfactorily to me at least settled. According to
request. I shall detail the plan of the expedition and also the pro-
portion of profits w^hich will accrue to each person engaged in the
enterprise. We are to cross the Continent to the shores of the
Pacific between 42 and 49 degrees N. Latt. and engage in the Fur
buisness. Vessells will ply from Boston or N. York to supply us
with articles of trade and bring home or carr\' elsewhere what
articles are collected, and .»y means of posts established there save
the great delay of vessells on that coast which in the present
mode of conducting the buisness amounts frequently to 30 months
and will average two years. This item alone would with the
ordinary profit of the trade give all the success which we look
for beside the great advantage which residents there have over
those who can be there but about once in 4 years for the collection
of furs and other articles of vakte. As to our route across the con-
tinent I can only say that we shall be governed by circumstances
On the spot my general idea is that our course will [be] from this
place to Baltimore by vessell thence by land to Pitsburg thence
down to the confluence of the Mississippi and Missouri rivers and
up the latter river to Franklin from that place strike for the Platte
River and follow the same to its source in the Rocky Mountains,
near which is the southern pass by which we shall make the tran-
sit of the mounts which done we strike for Lewis River or the
Multnomah which we follow to their junction with the Colum-
bia which we follow to the sea and locate our posts on this river
or near De Fucas Streights as may then be deemed proper. Our
compact is to last 5 years. The profits are to l)e divided in
such •manner that if the number concerned was 50 and the
whole nett profits were divided into that number of parts, I
should get 8 the surgeon 2 and the remaining 40 parts would be
divided among the remaining 48 persons. The 8 parts which I
take is consideration for m^' services as head of the concern and
furnishing the requisite capital and credit for the buisness and

■MM

781

WYRTH'vS ORKOON KXPKDITIONS.

^vhich is to be invested in goods to a small amount to take with
us by land, camp equipage, wagons, horses, &c, and in vessells
and goods to be sent out to us so as to arrive there within a few
months after us. Each man will be required to furnish his own
equipments and pay his passage as far as Franklin in Missouri
which will amount to 40$ and the surplus to be paid for him from
the capital if it amts. to more. In case any very good men apply
to you you can engage them on these terms especially Coopers,
Blacksmiths, Founders, and ingenious persons of any trade but
having nothing to do with any persons who are not industrious
and temperate men ard of good constitutions and peacible dis-
positions, and in case you engage any their equipments will be
brough[t] on with me to Balto, where they can meet us at the
same time as yourself by equipments I mean arms and clothing
They may therefore come as scantily provided for clothes as pos-
sible with the exception of a great coat which should be ample in
order to sleep in it. We may be expected to arrive in Balto. by
the loth March but when I leave Boston I will advise you more
particularly In the mean time please write and give me any par-
ticulars which may transpire.

I remain &c X. J. W.

XXI.

Cambridge Jany iSth 1S32
Broth. Jacob

Your favor of 6th inst. is at hand enc[l]osing a
draft on C. Wyeth for $600. Of this sum so much will be spent
as is requisite for surgical instruments, medicines, your own
equipments and cloths and travelling expences as far as St.
Louis. The residue will be left in Charles hands at interest and
for your benefit or if used by me int. at 6 per ct will be paid
3'ou. Your 2 shares are for your professional services and also
for all other services which you may render the Co. in any shape
for you will be required to do all and everything for the common
benefit. If you persist in returning befor[e] the 5 years expire
there will be ample opportunity by means of our vessells but j'ou
will loose your share of profits during the time that you are ab-
sent from dutv

Ys. &c N. J. W.

XXII.

Cambridge Jany 23d 1832
Capt Dixie Wildes

(Boston)
Dear Sir Having examined your proposition I have satisfied
myself that to enter into an arrangement on these terms would be
to ruin myself and injure every one concerned in the undertaking
and to deprive you of that eventual profit to which 3'ou should
look as the reward for engaging in the undertaking and incurring

COR R KSPON DKXC K:

P7*

its ris(iues. In regard to risks I have to say that all you in-
cur is merely the risk that the goods which you send out to me
to be used on a particular part of the coast may be unsuitable
for the general trade of the Coast. So far as this is likely to
happen you run some risk, but this is the only risk you incur
as all the other risques are insured against at our cost. Even if
we should never arrive oti that coast your vessell would have the
same chance of making a good voyage that she would have if ex»
pressly fitted out for a N. W. Coast voyage with the exception of
the risk above stated which as you have *he selection of the
cargo need not be great.

With regard to the items of proposition I have to say that it is
not my wish to assume specific suras as the cost of the voyage
and then cast you[r] per centage on *.hem. For instance you as-
sume that the vessell will cost 3ooo$. Now altho. this is
about what a vessell of i6o T^ons might cost yet it is probably'
not the exact sum. Insurance at 4 per cent may or may not be
the exact sum paid and 18 months will not be the exact length
of the voyage and thus of all the other items. My intention was
to propose to you to find vessell and cargo and to agree upon a
certain per cent upon their actual cost as your profits in the buis-
ness. And as far as goods and cost of sailing -re concerned in-
cluding insurance and interest at the legal rate there would be no
dificulty but for the vessell some other arrangement must be made.
I would propose that a certain per cent on her rtf /?/.?/ cost be agreed
upon and the amt. of this per ct. be considered as the cost of
her use or charter and on this sum your per centage of profit
cast, and making the per ct. on her cost sufficiently great to
cover insurance wear &c. In short my object is to arrive at the
actual cost of everything and pay a certain per cent of profit on
it to those who will furnish me with the accommodations which I
am in need of to carry on this buisness. There is a natural impos-
sibility in my Cvjmplying with the terms of your proposition, you
ask at least 12000$ profit for the first voyage which is in itself as
much nett profit as the best voyages have given when no larger
an amount of capital was used. In your recent voyage 2 vessells
and 1 2000$ worth of available goods and 2^/2 years time was
consumed and about 18000$ made whether including int. and
insurance or not I do not know but supposing that that amt.
was including these items there would have been not a dollar re-
maining after paying you 50 per cent on 18 mos. The ex-
pences of the voyage were about 1 8000$ as I understood you and
would have been 20000$ had you not bought your vessells when
they were low and sold them when they were high if you had
had 50 per cent on the disbursements of that voyage for 18 mos
and in proportion for the extra time it would have amounted to
16000$ and more.

So^ WYETH'vS ORRnON KXPRDITIONS. 83

You have estimated that the product of our first voyage would
be 40000$, This would be more than I think would be be real-
ized but allowing that this sum should be realized from the
4000$ worth of goods which I shall take with me. The arming
andequiping of 28 men and their time and the disbursements con-
tained in your proposition and your 50 per ct. Let us cast all
these up and see what each one would get. In doing this we
will take first those items which must be paid in any event viz.

The estimates of your proposition and 50 per ct 29885$

Disbursements by myself 4000

Int. on same 18 months 360

Arms and traveling expenses out for 28 men a 75$ 2100

Wages for men a 5$ pei month 2520

Which deduct from 40000$ $38865

There remains profit to us 11 35

To be divided among 28 persons which would leave me who
have 16 pr ct of the nett p'ofits about 200$ for 18 months.

In your first proposition your estimates of the disbursements of
the voyage were about the same, and of the product about the
same and according to that the profit would have been 20000$ on
which you asked 25 per cent as your profit this would be 5000$.
In this you ask almost 10000$.

It is undoubtedly the interest of both parties to give the other
a good chance. If you have all ^the profits, I should very
soon be unwilling or unable to carry on the buisness. If I should
get more than my due proportion you would not continue the
buisness and whether the one or the other happened both parties
would be the loosers by it in as much as the buisness must be
discontinued whereas if the profit should be more equally divided
the buisness would be carried on for a long time to a mutual ad-
vantage. I think that you would do well to consider that in
case the buisness is good to all concerned it may be extended to
aimost any amount and your profits 5 years hence may possi-
bly be cast on 20oooo$[?] yearly. To the great increase of the
buisness I think that you may fairly look for your increased prof-
its. I do not think that in employing only one vessell you could
make as much as in the ordinary course of the trade but in the
common method it is dificult to extend with advantage in this
way an unlimited extension of the buisness may be safely
attempted.

I am in hopes that you will alter your proposition as it is abso-
lutely impossible for me to accept this. It would be far better
for me to go out without any arrangement. I could in that case
in one year gain the required experience, and product of the
goods which I carried out would if shipped home as well might be
done in almost any of the vessells which go there, for they return

iItt'

CORRlCvSPON'nKNCr::

[81

but partly filled, produce the requisite capital. At the cud of the
first voyage 1 should have collected here all the capital which I
should want aud should have gaiued all the requisite experience
for directing it. Vou cannot but see how much better this would
be for us than to make an arrangement on your terms which would
bind us during the whole 5 years to pay for the capital and ex-
perience which we only want for the. first voyage almost the
whole of all the profits we could make even in case of the great-
est success.

I am however very desirom of coming to an agreement with
some one previous to going out and think that I shall be able to
do it on terms which will offer a fair chance to all concerned. I
am particularly desirous of making it with some one already in
the trade. I beg that you v;ill reconsider this ground carefully
and soon for the time grows short with me and I do not wish to
apply to any other persons until all hope of an arrangement with
>'ou is at an end.

Wednesday or Thursday next I will call and see vou.

Respy &c N. J. \V.

XXIII.

Cambridge Jany 23d 1S32
Brother Charles (Baltimore)

Your favour of the i6th inst. is at hand.
I note what you say of the note of Morton and Co. nevertheless
please forward it as at first proposed. Most of my goods must be
purchased at St. Louis, which is the great mart of the Indian
trade at which I can not only get what articles are wanted but
the knowledge requisite for selecting them and there I shall
make all my purchases with the exception of a little Iron and
Steel which will be got at N. Orleans and the residue of this and
other money I shall draw for from St Louis.

If you cannot get a tobacco man please put me up some to-
bacco seed sufficient for a considerable crop and have it well dried
and soldered up in tin cans. Would it not be well to advertise in
some country papers for a man stating generally that he is wanted
for a foreign voyage. In this matter do as you think best.

As it regards Jacobs affair it is only requisite that I bring on
with me an order from father to pay the ballance of account to
me, and I will then take what I have expended for Jacob sa^'
100$, and leave the residue in your hands subject to m}'^ draft in
case of accident as proposed in my last or to remain as the case
may be. The draft as you say can be examined when I am there .

I am well aware of what you say in respect to the number of
men I think however there is no danger of being troubled
with too many. All the other matters contained in your
letter either will or have been attended to. Please in your next
write me the names of some of the best mercantile house[s] at St.

Sa]

WYETirS ORlvOON KXl'I'DITIONvS.

Tyouis and i^ possible procure me letters to them these letters
keep but the names send tne as soon as possible.

The reveries at the end of your letter are proof that )'ou
let that liar and thief "hope" cheat your better senses with idle
dreams, the sober truth of life is that man was made to mourn tt)
fight and die at last disapointed and broken hearted
Vr. Atr. Bro. X. J. Wyeth

XXIV.

Carabridcje
N. H.)

Jany 23d 1S32
vS. K. Livermore lisq. (Milford
Dear Sir

Your letter of the 20th itist is before me. I beg you
to believe that I have used no means to induce Thomas to engage
in this undertaking with the exception of the letter which I
wrote you on the subject and which I read to him. He heard of
the expedition elsewhere and came to me for information. I
should conceive it very dishonorable in me to interfere in his
plans of life otherwise than through his natural guardians. I
have in this instance rather held forth to his view the dificulties
of the enterprise than its inducements. I shall not even now
write him on the subject being content to leave the matter to you
and him. If he goes he should be here by the 20th Feb. He
wants nothing to bring with him but one good suit of cloths
which are decent to appear in in the cities through which we
pass. The company dress will be made her[e] as also his arms and
equipments. No chest is necessary as our baggage wagon will
answer that purpose as far as to P'ranklin, where we take horses
and then bags must be used. As few articles of baggage will be
carried with us as possible their transportation costs more than
their value and they can be purchased any time before leaving
the settlements at one of the last of which St. Louis our final
arrangements will be made. The bugle of which I spoke to him
should be of the plainest kind and the most simple to use and the
least liable to get out of repair or broken. It will be used chiefly
as a signal for parties at a distance, and sometimes in marching a
little music will enliven us. We propose that one should learn it
well and then teach all the rest. We shall have as much as ten
and to be used alternately so as not to be tedious to any one. I
am ut[t]erly ignorant of all kinds and uses of music but have
thought that we could march by a number of bugles but if we
cannot they will at least do for signals which is in fact their only
es[s]ential use. If Thomas will make himself master of the bugle
and determines to go please write immediately on the receipt of
this, as in case that he does not I must engage some other person
to do it. In addition to what I stated to you in my last I will
only observe that in case the undertaking should prove unsuc-
cesfuU it would be abandoned In- mutual consent in a much

CORRIvSI'ONDHNCK:

C«s

shorter period than 5 years luul in this case Thomas would
come home liaviuj? a good knowledge of the hardships of life and
consequently more willing to put up with its unavoidable priva-
tions and disappointments than he now is, and I question wheth-
er it would not be as profitable knowledge as he could acipiire,
for as you say, "there is plenty of buisneas here for which he is
suitable" if he can only bring down his mind to its dull routine.
But I should be sorry to have him go against the incHnations of
his parents not to say their positive disapprobation in which lat-
[tjercase he certaiidy should not go with me. In case he should
go I will comply with your desire in regard to religion. It is a
subject which in a peculiar sense rests with each one and his ma-
ker, and if I have sometimss agitated the subject with you, it has
been more to test and correct if possible my own views of the
matter, thati any hope of proselitism for which I am not desirous.
I l)eg to be remembered to your goo<l lady and children and
wish them all kinds of happiness.

Yr Aff. Neph. N. J. Wyeth

XXV.

Cambridge Janv. 27th 1832
Mr. I. P. Hughs

vSir Your letter of 19th ii < at hand. As
to dificulties in the undertaking each man ..it judge for

himself and also what his prospect of gain. What my own opinion is
on the subject may be judged of by my giving up for it a salary of
T 200 per year and a buisness that brought me as much more. My
own opinion of this thing must be good or I am an arrant fool.
To say more on this head would be useless. Examine for your-
self, look about in Boston and see how many independent fortunes
have been made in this buisness. As to giving you every partic-
ular of this buisness it is quite impossible. Two days would not
suffice to wite such a letter. The outlines I have given you. As
to Capital as much will be invested as I deem requisite and no
more and what is invested will be in outfits say 4000$, these we
will take with us across the land, then a vessell to leave here and
arrive there near the time that we do Cost of sailing there and
back 5000$, goods sent out by her $8000 these amts. are the
smallest sums that will be invested. And I shall increase them
as I think proper in the course of buisness. The conditions of
my furnishing this and all capital which I deem requisite are my
receiving 16 per cent of the nett profits. The surgeon will have 4
per cent and each person will have i ^ per cent or nearly these
different shares make T02 per cent and as there can be but
100 the 2 per ct will come out of the 48 shares which amts. to
less than 1-50 of i per cent deduction from each mans share. The
amt. of all is that each man gets as near as possible of 8-10 of a
full and equal division of the profits and the other 2-10 go to pay

H4l

WYirni'vS oRivc.ox i:xri;i)iTi()Ns.

rae for my services as head of the Co. jitul to furnish Capital
and Surgeon. I am to he sole director of tlie movements of the
Co. and its agent in all transactions of huisness. I will come un-
der no bonds to the Co. Conceiving that the iact of my carrying
out with us 4cxx)5 is bond enough because if I do not send tlie
rest this would be all lost. The reason of the case will shew that
if a bond is necessary anywhere it is from the men to me, that
they shall not after my property is invested in this thing desert
me which would occasion a sacrifice of all I am worth but I ask
no other than that of expending in the liuisness 40$ which they
will loose if they do not pursue the plan. I think you said that
T. A. Livermore mentioned this thing to you. His father writes
me that he may go and the young man is determined to go and is
learning the bugle. I hope that this will also be your determina-
tion.

Vr Obt Servt X. J. W.

XXVI.

Cambridge Janv 2Sth 1S32
Mr. Geo. Cripps / New York)

Dear .Sir Your fav. of the 12th
inst was received in dvie course of mail. The receipt should have
been acknowledged before but the pressure of buisness and the
want of a little time to think the matter over induced rae to wait.
I should be extremely happy to have you join us if it were only
for the benefit of your society, for in an expedition of this sort
most of the parsons must be not of the same class with ourselves
the society therefore of even a very few well informed persons is an
object. You are undoubtedly as fit for the enterprise as most
men but do you wish to place yourself upon a par with such men
as tnust form the bulk of our band? It appears to me that it
would be unwise in you but in this judge for yourself. lean
offer you no better terms than the rest have viz 8-10 parts of a
full and equal division of profits. We leave here about ist
March next for Baltimore. I refer you to your partner for
further information on this subject.

And Remain &c X. J. W.

XXVII.

Cambridge Jany 28th 1832
Brother Leonard, (.New York)

Your favour of the 24th inst. is at
hand. The arrangements which you have made as to letters are
well. The goods you name are used in indian trade but whether
on that part of the coast to which we go is the question. All in-
dian marketts are not the same any more than other marketts.
Traps, guns, and amunition are all the articles which I should at
present meddle with. I wish 3'ou would ascertain if Beaver traps

CORRESPONDKNCK:

[85

can be had in your city. Those wanted should weigh 5 lbs.
double springs, Jaws without teeth and chain 6 feet long with
two swivells in it. Of these I want about 40 Doz. If you can
find the article please write me as soon as possible. Also find
if yo u can get the kind of gun used by the Amer. Fur Co. and
at what price. There is also a certain kind of beads which
is a kind of a cur[r]ency among the Indians and therefore a n
article in demand among all Indians. Please write me what you
could do in all these articles. I can then tell better whether I
will purchase in your place. My cash at N. Orleans I can trans-
fer to this place at any moment through Mr. F. T. who is paying
freights there all this spring.

I have not yet closed with any person for vessells a nd
goods but have raked up securitj'^ enough with what you
named to charter a vessell on as fair terms as could be
done for cash. Have at command 4000$ in cash and have remain-
ing from 2 or 3 M of security to give to those who will credit m^.
for the goods which I want to send out bj-^ her. Amt. from 5 to
8000$. I think I could pay on account of goods to send by this
vessell 1000$ down, and 2000$ security of one good name beside
mine and to be paid in default at the end of the voyage say 14
mos. Would your firm for a certain per cent profit over and above
their cost furnish this amt. Your partner being in England would
furnish great facilities in procuring the goods. If I can get this
done by competent persons my difficulties would be much dimin-
ished, and I shall save giving away during the whole 5 years 25
per cent of profits to pay for assistance which I only want during
one voyage. I shall work hard before I will give up so much.
Is there no person in N. York who would do this if j'-ou cannot.
I have some hope of getting it done here but have no certain offer
better than the 25 per cent as above. Write me as often as you
can

Yr. Afl'. Bro. N. J. W.

XXVIII.

Cambridge Jany 27th 1832
Bro. Charles (Baltimore)

Since my last of 23d inst. I have been buisj'
trying to make arrangements with some men already in the
N. W. trade for such vessells and goods as I shall want in
the course of this buisness. The best offer is 25 per ct of
profits to be paid them on my whole buisness for five years. Now
if successfuU in this buisness I should want neither information or
capital at the end of the first voyage and even in furnishing me
the first voyage they run no risque because if I never arrive there
they have only to continue the voyage as an ordinary- N. W.
Coast voyage with just as good chance of profit as if expressly
fitted out for that purpose. Under these circumstances I cannot

86]

\VYK'rH'.S ORKCiON KXPKDITIONvS.

think of committing myself in such an arrangement if there is
any possible way of avoiding it. Mr. Tudor agrees to assist me
in a certain amt. If you would obligate yourself to pay looo!)?
as an indemnity to those of whom I might take up a vesell to be
paid in my default at the expiration of the first voyage say 14
months from the i July next I think there is a chance that I
can procure vessell and goods to be sent out to me on my own
ace. and thus save loading my buisness with a nightmare.
As all losses are to be insured against there will be no other risk
in this matter than what appertains to me personally, of whether
I get there and whether I collect articles enough to pay for the
goods and vessell. If I get there it must be a hard buisties:? if
all my own property and the full amt. of the securities are
sunk. If you agree to do this I understand that all the accom-
modations that you have promised are to stand as settled. Please
answer soon.

Vr aff N. J. \V.

XXIX.

Cambridge Jany 31st 1832
Robt. H. Garaner Esq.

Dear Sir Having in contemplation a
voyage to the Columbia where salmon are abundant I am desi-
rous of information in regard to them. None of these fish being
taken in our waters I am at a loss where to apply for this informa-
tion. Your scituation near where they are found induces me to
apply to you and your luiiform politeness toward me induces me to
hope that you will convey what information may be in 3'our power
or if not too inconvenient to collect what may not be within 3'our
own kaowiedge or indicate to me where I may obtain the same and
of whom. What I wish to know is how salmon are pickled and
how smoked and how taken. Any inform>".tion on these heads
will confer an obligation on

Yr obt. servt. Nathl. J. Wyeth
(Inserted) How to keep and when they go up and down the
rivers.

XXX.

Cambridge Feb 5th 1S32
Mr. Seymour Whiting (New York)

Dear Sir Your letter of 3[th ulto.
came in due time to hand proposing certain inquiries concerning
my expedition to the country claimed by the U. S. on the Pacific
Ocean, which I answer as follows. This Company go out for trade
in such branches as may be found expedient the terms of agree-
ment to last 5 years and to be rendered a permanent ettlement if
found practicable and agreeable. No families or other helpless
people will be taken until this question is decided, which will not

' I

CORR K SPON DRNC R:

[87

11!

be until w[e] have been sometime there and can judge from a bet-
ter knowledge of facts. Young, active and industrious men are
wanted and any number will be received that will comply with
the conditions of the association. The precise conditions are not
fixed the proposition has been that the capital and myself shall draw
8 parts in fifty of the whole profits the surgeon 2 and the remain-
ing 40 parts to be divided among 48 persons. This will give 8-10
parts of a full and equal division of profits to each man. This
proposition supposes that I shall furnish a suitable outfit from St.
Louis for crossing the country and procure a vessell and cargo to
go out to meet us on the coast and pay all the expenses for the
arming and equiping and transporting the company to S*. Louis
which shall be incurred over and above 40$ There are ht re now
23 men who have paid in their first assessment toward the 40$ as
above, and there is no doubt of our going before the ist April,
the I St March is however the time set for starting. Our cimp
equipage is now almost finished and our arms and equipments are
partly in the armory and the residue contracted for to be de-
livered 20th inst. We deem 25 men enough for the enterprise
but are willing to extend the number to any amt.

What you say of Mr. Kelley I think will prove true. As yet
he has no means of moving a step in the buisness and in my opin-
ion never will move. For further particulars I beg leave to refer
you to Mr. Leonard I. Wyeth of the lirm of Cripps and Wyeth
Pearl St. of your city. What you may decide upon in the matter
please make known to me as soon as po- ible, for the time is short.

You will be required to pay into the treasury' 20^ for your arms
and equipments when you meet us on our \ ay out at Baltimore.
The arms &c will be brought with us. Tiie remaining 20$ ma^^
be paid in when voted by the company prior to reaching St. Louis.

As soon after you make known to me your acceptance of
propositions, not differing materially from the above, as practi-
cable notice will be sent you of the time of our moving, place of
meeting and other particulars.

Yrs &c N. J. W.

XXXI.

Cambridge F'eb 6th 1832
S. K. Livermore Esq. (Milford N. H.)

Dear Sir I have a letter
from your son Tliomas intimating that you wish to know what
authority I have obtained from Government to trade in the coun-
try about the Columbia. In answer to which it is to be observed
that the Government has not extended its Laws over that
country and claims over it only a right of preemption. There
can be no infraction of law where none exists, and beside which
the right to trade there is inferred from the public acts of the
Government, first in protecting by its public armed ships vessells

"j Bi iwi

88]

WYETirS OREGON EXPEDITIONS.

engaged in that trade. 2dly in the demanding the restora-
tion of a trading post taken by the British during the last war.
3dly by a stipulation of the convention between the U. S.:,and
Great Britain that citizens of each shall have a right to trade in
any country there claimed by either. That the Govt, would have
a right to impose a licence to trade with the Indians there in the
same manner as they have done in the Territories has never been
assumed and I think will not be until territorial governments are
erected by them there. I have written to the secretaries of War
and State on this subject but have yet received no answer.

Thomas mentions preferences and dificulties concerning the
two kinds of bugles. These are matters I know absolutely no-
thing of. You will oblige me by directing him which kind to
get. Only keep in mind that the capability for using as march-
ing music is subordinate to that of being used for signals, and
that economy, durability and use are before shew and noise.
Nevertheless good marching music has its use in keeping up the
spirits of the company and exciting the attention of the natives
objects by no means to be overlooked, but to be obtained if possi-
ble without sacrificing the other.

Please present my compliments to your family.

I remain Yr. AflF. Neph N. J. W.

XXXII.

Camb. Feb 6th
Mr. Leon. Jarvis (Baltimore)

Dear Sir Circumstances impel me
to apply to you for assistance in my projected expedition. Hav-
ing no claim for your favorable consideration on this subject and
knowing you to be averse to the plan I have avoided making this
request until the last moment, and to very near the time when I
must either cltjse with ven,' disadvantageous terms or commence a
hazardous enterprise without adequate means. In the beginning
of this thing I was induced to believe that certain persons here
would furnish me the small amount of
want on decent terms but in this
for after finding me fully committed to
enhanced their demands, and think to
tage. This they shall never do.

I am at present trying to make arrangements to fur-
nish the whole outfits both by sea and land and have
raised what I think will procure me the land outfits and
a vessell and perhaps $iooo toward a cargo for her. The
amount of goods requisite for this cargo is from 5 to 10000$
which if I had $3000 in cash or good security' I believe I could
get on good terms here. If you are disposed to assist me in anj'
shape in this buisness I would beg leave to suggest the following
as to me the most desirable and as giving to you some chance of

capital of which I was in
I find myself mistaken
the buisness they have
use me for their advan-

! I

CORRICvSPON DKNC E:

[89

II
I

profit as well as loss while at the same time you are conferring a
great favour on me. It is this, that you furnish all the goods
wanted by us during the 5 years of our present contract at a cer-
tain per cent over and above their actual cost including interest
and Insurance and to make sale of the product of our trade
on a certain per cent commission to have on the first investment
sent out 1000$ in cash from me as security for the goods and an
equal lien with the owners of the vessell on the goods sent home
the said owners to be secured in the sum of 5000$ which must
first be consumed before they have any claim on the return cargo
and by contract to be debarred any claim on the outward
cargo in any case. This, as a considerable amount of goods are
carried out with me would put out of the question any ver>' great
loss. At the end of the first voyage if the buisness is found not
to be practicable, it must be abandoned. If otherwise it will be
continued and the proceeds of the buisness will be accumulated
here to answer as security for the debts of the Co.

This proposition I should not have made to you if Mr. Tudor
had not offered me such assistance as would nearly enable me to
keep lear of ver>' hard terms, and having so nearly accomplished
the object was a strong inducement to ask a thing from you to
which I have not the slightest claim, and if the thing is disagree-
able to you, I ask you to excuse the liberty I have taken.

A strong inducement to this enterprise has been the peculiar
state of the trade of the country in question. The American
Govt, with ideas of reciprocity in their head made a convention,
which after having been once extended will terminate in 1838
with G. B. by which the citizens of either power have a common
right of trade in the whole territory claimed by both on that
coast. I think this convention will not be renewed becausf 't
virtually destroys our trade there by opening it to the competition of
the British Co. whose capital and facilities are so great that vessells
cannot trade to a profit on that coast the}^ being subject to a long
delay on the coast whereas the British trade is effected by posts
and their vessells have nothing to do but to discharge and re-load.
If at the expiration of this convention it should not be renewed
and I do not think that it can be some part of that coast will be
an unencumbered field to whoever may then be there, because in
the mean time the present American trade in vessells will disap-
pear before the more economical methods of the British and mine
so far as that has any effect. And I do not think that any other
person will think of establishing posts in that country if I succeed
in so doing. Of the goodness of this trade if I can get it free
from other competition than that of vessells there can be no doubt
and I think I may do well in it even under pre::ent circumstan-
ces. Another inducement with [me] has been the being obliged
to leave one half of my buisness and the insufficiency of the other
to secure me employment more than half of the year, or give me

9o]

WYETirvS ORIvGON KXl'KDITIOXvS.

3.^

the amt. of income which at this time of hfe I ought to be get-
ting. Altho I am well aware that you do not approve of the di-
rection ray mind has taken yet your conversation with me at
New York convinces me that you think I should make a move of
some kind. Now in the kind of move which I have taken I have
been guided I think by a sound judgement in regard to my capa-
bilities whether experience will justify this judgement rema.ns to
be proved but in the mean time I cannot divest myself of the
opinion that I shall compete better with mj' fellow men in new
and untried paths than in those to pursue which reqitires only
patience and attention. You have accused me of want of pa-
tience and the world will readily believe you but I think both
you and them blend the want of patience and the want or per-
severance in one idea whereas I believe them to be quite separate
and not at all incompatible. In raising means I beg you to be-
lieve that I have not availed myself of m^' position in the family to
borrow money or credit of those who it is a duty in me to keep
from risque of damage or of any person who is not in a scituation
to judge for himself of the danger and to sustain the damage that
may accrue and that no extremity will tempt me to do so. I
mention this to put your mind at ease on a subject upon which
you might naturally feel solicitude. I will conclude this letter by
asking of you as a favour that you will answer it as soon as pos-
sible as mv time is verv short.

I am &c N. J. \V.

XXXIII.

Cambridge Feb 8th 1832
Mess A. Norris & Co

Gent Will you have the goodness to ascer-
tain if Traps suitable for the N.West trade can be purchased in
your city and if so at what price. They should weigh 5 lbs
each have double springs Jaws without teeth with a chain 6
feet long having two swivells in it. Of these I want about 2odoz.
If you will attend immediately to this buisness you will oblige
me as they are wanted to start almost immediately on their
destination.

(P. S. Please direct me at this place) Yr Obt Sevt N. J. W.

XXXIV.

Cambridge Feb 7th 1832
Judah Touro (N Orleans)

Dear Sir Some time since I directed
Mr. Charles Wyeth of Baltimore to place in your hands a note a-
gainst Morton Brown & Co. for 888.25. Will you please get it dis-
counted without recourse to the original endorser and after taking
out your commissions transmit the proceeds to Baltimore to ray
direction to the care rif Mess Wyeth aiid Xorris in a U. S.

( I

CORRHSPONDKNCK:

[91

■

Bank check on St. Louis or Baltimore. You are authorized to
pay as high as ten per cent for discounting this note, but please
present it to the giver in the first place. The reason of getting
this note cashed at so high a rate is not want of faith in it, but
an immediate want of money on my part.

N. J. W.

XXXV.

Cambridge Feb 7th 1832
Robt. H. Gardner Ksq

Dear Sir Your ver>' polite and useful fa-
vour of 4th inst. came duly to hand. As I have carefully
examined the mode of taking all the fish caught in your rivers
with the exception of salmon the modes described by you were
readily understood and are every thing I wished on the subject.
It is impossible for me to visit your vicinity at this time. Mr.
Tudor's ice must be shipped and that done I must leave imme-
diately.

In asking you to ascertain from Mr. Palmer the modes of
curing salmon, I fear to trespass on good nature and nothing but
my inability to get the information elsewhere induces me to trou-
ble one whose time I know to be so much occupied. If you will
admit this as an excuse I will ask the favour.

The kind wish expressed at the end of your letter I value
much, in as much as it is highly creditable to have the wishes of
the good in ones favour. The older writers affirm that such
prayers avail much and this supposition is so consonant to human
feelings that I am not disposed to doubt it. Will you accept my
thanks for your good wishes and assistance in this matter.
Should you have buisness in any part of the world where I am
I should esteem it a favor to be able to make a return for these
favours. I am &c N J \V

XXXVI.

Cambridge Feb Sth 1832
Brother Charles

Your letter in answer to mine of the 23 and 29th
ult. is at hand. Your proposition of purchasing at N. York has
been adopted and all goods except a few staple articles will be
purchased in accordance to it. Letters to Mr. Johnson will be
highly acceptable and usefuU.

The request which I made you was to give your name for secu-
rity for any contract which I may make for a vessell in the sum of
1000$ and is independent of the 888.25. The 800$ you name
will do, and the earliest liability on this will be at the expiration
of a voyage commenced at ist July next to last at least 14
months that is 17 months hence. The offer of 25 per ct. of
profits for furnishing me goods and vessell was never a good offer.

92]

WYKTirS ORK(iOX i:XPKI)ITIONvS.

-r,

but such as it was they backed out of it, by adding commissions
for buying and selling fixing prices of articles, and charter of ves-
sell, to such an amount as would have been ruinous and was no
part of the original understanding. I have therefore rejected any
further overtures with them, and consider that they have broken
faith with me and attempted to use me like a fool. I am offered
room for shipping home goods on board of 3 vessells now on
that coast on good terms and I think of closing the agreement, and
taking with me such goods as I know will do and sending home
my collections by one of them with directions to forward me such
goods and vessells as are wanted which I will then be able to de-
termine and the 1000$ for which I asked you to bind yourself
will probably be used to enable me to obtain the credit of a ves-
sell the arrangements for which I must make before I leave here,
so as to be sure that there shall be no fail when it is wanted. I
have written to you Mr. Jarvis and Leonard in the same manner
as though I were to fit out this thing immediately on my
own ace. and Risk because it is possible that I may be obliged to
do so, but I would by no means do it if the arrangement above
stated can be made, for if the buisness is fi' to be pursued I shall
when such vessell arrives here have an am of property in Boston
which with $5000 in security in gooc' names (which the 1000$
I ask of you will complete) will enable me to purchase the goods
and the vessell on ordinary commissions. It is very important
that I do not bind myself to throw the commissions of this buis-
ness into the hands of strangers for the whole 5 years of our
contract altho. I may be obliged to do so at first as an inducement
for giving for me the accommodations which I want. If this
buisness should prove successfull the commissions alone would
arat. to 4000$ per annum and the control of them I mean to
keep if I can to repay those who may now help me of my own
family and who may again be in want of something of the sort to
keep them up in the world as has happened in days past. If you
speak with Mr. Jarvis on the subject yovi can name to him my
reasons for not accepting the offer of 25 per cent.

I have hinted the nature of my objections to it in a letter to
him. I shall be careful not to name what you propose to do to
any one, there is no advantage in talking of these matters. I
shall probably be in Baltimure by the 1 5th March and may then
see you. Please write me whether Mr. Jarvis is angry that I
have undertaken this thing. I wish to know on what terms I
am to stand with him and how to meet him. He told L. that he
though[t] that you had advised me to it. I will undeceive him in
this matter.

J Will you please to look in the city for Beaver traps. They should
weigh 5 lbs. have double springs, Jaws without teeth and chain 6
feet long with 2 swivells in it. Of them I want 40 doz and
write me the price for which they can be had cash. If such are

CORK KvSPONDKNCR:

[93

not to he found write me the nearest thing you can get and the
price.

If you agree to he responsihle for rae in any similar sum to the
one asked, please write me a letter containing ( nothing else) sta-
ting that when called on to do so you will be bound for me in
800$ or 1000$ as the sum may be, for any debt or engagement
my merchant here may make for me, payable as an indemnity for
my default, on three months notice, at any time after Sept 15th
1833. This letter with others I shall place in the hands of my
merchant here, and when I order him to send me out a vessell or
goods he will call on you to give said bond as security for the
fulfilment of my engagement. If you are willing to do this,
please forward the letter as above as soon as possible.

And oblige

Yraif. N. J. Wyeth

P. vS. When I arrive at Baltimore I shall want about 6 horses
to carry my goods and wagons to Pitsburg or Wheeling please
write rae in what manner they can be hired and for what sum
probably. The horses only are wanted harness I have complete.
They will l)e wanted from the 15th to 20th March. At New
York I will send you specimens of some small articles which
I want if I do not get them before you go there.

XXXVIl.

Cambridge Feb Toth

1832

Mr. John Ball (New York)

Dear Sir

Your favor of 8th inst is at hand.
The letter to Mr Bache dated 18 ulto. contains all the information
which I can at present communicate in regard to the plan of the
expedition. What Mr. Kelley tells you is not the truth. It is
true that I once proposed to join this expedition of his, but I re-
linquished that idea when they joined their two expeditions into
one, for I consider it impracticable to and inhuman to attempt a
passage across the continent with a party composed of men wom-
en and children. The undertaking is enough for men. Your
observation in regard to the salmon fishing is good, and a strong
effort will be made to arrive in season to avail ourselves of it to
procure food for the winter. I see no probability that Mr.
Kelleys party will move at present. They have made no
preparation as yet, nor do I believe that they can ever make pro-
vision for moving such a mass as they propose.

My party will leave Boston early in March and may be ex-
pected to arrive in Baltimore by the 15th of the month. We
have now nearly enough men but any number of suitable persons
will be received on the conditions named in my letter to Mr.
Bache. Please use this letter as one of introduction to Mr.
Charles Wyeth of the firm of Wyeth and Norris Merchants Bait-

94]

WVHTirS ORKC.ON HXPKDITlONvS.

Ir.
ilt-

imore who is my Brother and has some general knowledge of my
plans. This gentleman will leave Balto. for New York about
the 25th inst. after which time he may be found at Mess. Cripps
and Wyeth in Pearl St. Mr. Leonard I. Wyeth of the last named
firm will also give you any information on this subject which he
may pos.sess. He is also a brother of mine* If you conclude to
join our expedition please give me early notice and J)ear in mind
that there will be no avoidable delay in setting out.

I am Yr Obt vServ't Nathaniel J. Wyeth.

XXXVIII.

Cambridge Feb loth 1S32
Brother lyeonard (New York)

Yr favor of 3d. has been received
I have been fearful! for some time that some things would turn
out as appears to be the case Nevertheless be of good cheer patience
overcometh all things. I have found a master of a vesselljustfrom
the N.W. who will furnish me with the requisite information
as to goods and I have written A Norris & Co of your city to pro-
cure some of them. I have closed all except drawing bonds with
a substantial commission merchant here an agreement which is
entirely .satisfactory. He agrees for ordinary commissions to
bind himself to execute my order in regard to goods on the
strength of furs collected and deposited on the N W Coast and
will furnish at my order at any time within two j^ears at a certain
agreed rate of charter a vessell or vessells as many as are want-
ed to fetch and carry on my furnishing names as security in in-
demnity for loss by my fault to the amt. of 5000$ payable
three months after loss ascertained. The first vovage cainiot
be terminated before July 1834 because it will not be com-
menced until a year from the time I leave here and the voyage will
take one year and delay four months and the 3 months above
added will bring the earliest responsibility to the ist Oct 1834
within a few months of the time which you proposed in your letter
of Jany loth for the last payt. Will you agree to indemnify iti
my default to the amt. of 1500$ 3 months after damage is settled.
If so please write me a letter containing nothing else in definite
terms what you are willing to do. This letter I will place in the
hands of my -»^erchant here and when I order goods and vessells
he will call on you for a bond of indemnity for the amt. A
copy of my agreement with him I will furnish you before leaving.
Mr. Tudor of his own accord offered to give his name for
2500. This with yours, and a similar one for 1000$ of another
person enables me to make this arrangement. This arrangement is
all that I want in as macli as there will be next summer on that
coast 3 vessells by which I can make shipments home in all prob-
ability and at any rate can send information home of what I have
collected and what I want which will do just as well. I have

.v^

CORKHSl'ONDKNCI-

[95

1)eon retiuosleil to lake k-iters to all these vessells with orders to
let me have what freijjflit I want on reasoiial)le terms if they are
not full of which there is no great d anger as v^ssclls never till up
entirely in this trade. Finding how inconvenient this thing
might prove to you I have written to Mr. J. to ask him for casli
or name to a small amt. if he agrees I shall relieve you of any
tronl)le.

Vr Aftc cK: N. J. W.

XXXIX.

i.^i^

Cambridge I'Vl) T3th
Sol. K Livcrmore I-sq. (Milford N. H.)

Dear Sir Your favor of the 9th is hut this moment received.
We may leave Hoston the ist Teuy of next month and shall not he
here the 7th day. I f Thomas is to go he must he liere very near the
20th inst as some little time is reiiuired to organize. The bugle
buisiieas is well. I never went to Washington for anything rela-
ting to this buisness not having been there this four years. I
have notified the (^.overnment by letter of the expedition and
asked information of them in regard to the laws relating to In-
dian trade, and offered to communicate to them any information
which I might obtain wliile there. My letters have been an-
swered as I expected conveying information in regard to the laws
of the trade and notifying that the Department of War would
receive and avail itself of any information which I might com-
municate. The information which you have received that a party
left Boston for that country is not fact no party has left any part
of the U. S. within several years for that country and
th-^re is now uo American trading posts or Americans there ex-
ceiit vrhat may be in vessells on the coast. There are in the space
from the Rooky Mountains to the sea and between the 42 and
49th deg. N.Latt. three British trading posts there ma}- be more but
this is all that I know of, but between the Columbia River in 46
deg. 15 min. and the Spanish line in 42 deg. and extending back
600 miles to the Rock\' Mounts, there is no establishment of
any kind. Smith, Pilcher, Ashly, Soublette, Jackson of the
western states are all said to have made money in this buisness.
J. Baker and Son, the two Boardmans, Josiah Marshall, I)ixie[?]
Wilde, the Perkins of Boston have made money in this buisness,
which proves that the buisness must be carried on, which is as
much as to prove that those who may become practicably ac-
quainted with the buisness and are found capable and intelligent
can always have good buisness as agents for others, for all of
these men must have agents, none of them go out themselves.
Thomas is young and 5 years hence would be earlj' enough for
him to undertake buisnes seriously, and he would then be fit if
he pays attention to it to conduct any fur buisness and in my

] I

96]

WVKTII'S ORKCON I^XPRDITIOXS.

estimation there is as tine an opening in this as any he cf)ul(l un-
rU-rtakc especially as in this trade knowledge will stand in lieu of
capital in a greater flegree than in tnost kinds of Imisness for who
had not if he was about sending out an expedition rather give '/^
l)rofits to an experienced man with no capital than to a man with
capital and without experience.

I beg you to bear in mind that I do not urge his going. If he
does go let it be at his own instance and not mine. All I can say
is that if he exerts himself he shall have a chance in proportion
in any arrangement that shall be made after the five years are ex-
]>ircd and that during tli it time he shall have the same prop,
of profits as the o'.her men and be used as well in all respects and
receive from me every knidness and attention in my power to
licstow. I am Vr. obt. Servt.

Xath. J. Wyeth

XI..

Cambridge I'cb 13th 1.S32
Mall J. Kelley ICsci (Washington)

Dear Sir

Your favor of the 7th inst
is at hand. However well affairs are going on at Washington
matters little to m/ Anything they can do will come too late for
my purposes. My arrangements are made to leave here ist
.March and I shall not alter them, neither can I delay on my
route.

1 wish yi>u well in your undertaking but regret that you could
not have moved at the time and in the manner first proposed.
When you .adopted the plan of taking across the continent in the
ist expedition women and children I gave up all hope that you
would go at all and all intention of going with you if you did.
The delays inseparable from a convoy of this kind are so great
that you could not keep the mass together and if you could the
delay would ruin my projects. I am much obliged to you for the
information concerning licenses and Remain

Vr. obt. servt. Xath. T. Wveth

XIJ.

Cambridge Feb 13th iS'^2
Mess Davenport &: I^yron (,X York)

C^ent Yotir fav. of loth
inst is at hand. Please order 20 Doz of the traps such as you
name and such as used by Mr. Astor to l)e done as soon as
possible and sent to Baltimore so as to arrive there certainly by
the 7th March. Concerning chains I will advise you farther
and also of what other goods are wanted and cannot be obtained
in this place.

CORRlSroNDF.NCF::

[97

Please inform me whether you wish me to send the funds to
you or whether you will draw on me. If the latter let it lie at 5
days sight and so as to reach here not later than ist March.
I am yr oht. servt Nathl. J. Wyeth

XMI.

Cambridjfc Feb 17th 1S32
liroth. Leonard (New York)

Your favor of the 13th is at hand and
as you do not acknowledge mine of the loth I fear it has miscar-
ried. In lieu of the proposition contained in it I will ask you to
place your guarantee on the back of the agreement which I have
made with Mess Hall and Williams which will l)e the same
thing to you and save future trouble if loss should arise. You
cHiniot be called upon for indemnity short of 30 months which
will be Sept 1834 but a short time prior to the last sum
named in your letter of loth Jany. and differs so little from your
own proposal that I have proceeded on the presumption that you
would do it and shall forward the document to your place before
the 25th. You will perceive by the agreement with Tucker Hall&
Williams that the first shipment that will l)e made (and of course
the first responsibility which you will incur) will be predicated on
on orders sent home by me which cannot be short of a year. One
year more at least for the shi;.ment to return and loss ascertained
and unavoidable delnys naIU bring your liability to as distant u
time as the one I have named but if you think advisable you can
name tht time at whicV" vou do bind yourself to indemnify in the
'■\iUy on bucV of , 1^ agreement.

The agreement I hnve made is precisely what Mr. (Osgood though[t]
could be procured rf Mess. J. Baker and son. I called on them
but they would make me no offer, but after having closed with
Hall and Co. they were anxious to do it, and expressed them-
selves disappointed that it was too late. I would have liked an
arrangement with them better because they are in the trade.
The others otherwise are as good men as they can be. I am afraid
I closed rather hastily but I had lieen bandied much by those iti
the trade and I expected the same thing with them. My time
was short and the offer I got as good as could jx)ssibly be made by
good men.

Say to Mr. Osgood tliat I am much bliged to him for his
kindness and that his letter will yet lo m-^ service probably in
enabling me to make arrangement with Mr. Baker to take any
surplus of goods which his vassells are liable to have when leav-
ing that coast.

Please answer soon. YraffBro. Xathl. J. Wyeth.

yS]

WYICTH'S ORKCON KXrivDITlONS.

XLIII.

Cambridjfe Tel). 21 1H32
Mess Davenport i\: Hvroti ( X York )

Cent. The Bond of A. Xor-
ris & Co mentioned iti yonr letter of i6th inst I will take up, and
transmit the same to you with funds to meet the balance of dis-
bursements in a Branch check at which time I will advise you
further. I am «:c y X. J. W.

XMV.

Camlmdjfc Feb 22d, 1H32
Bro. Leonard X. York

Your letter of rS itist is at hand. I
shall send to New York a copy of the agreement with Hall and Will-
iams and Mr Tucker as soon as the same is signed by them which
cannot be until the ist March because the stile of their firm is then
to be changed. I am pleased that you are suited with these men.
I have been long acquainted with them and esteem them highly
as honest and upright men. The surplus funds are subject to my
order so far as to cover all the disbursements made bj-^ me and
any surplus funds after said deduction are subject to the order of
the Co. so far as placing them where they please in trust for the
said Co and as a fund to secure the debts of the Co and to l>e so
kept in trust until the expiration of the 5 years. My agreement
with Hall and Williams binds them to deposit in bank any sur-
plus fund that may arise in default of orders on the subject.

I shall forward to you the agreement to be signed by the Com-
pany which will explain to the persons you name the nature of
their duties and proportion of profits. In the mean time assure
any that call that we are really going to start by or before
I St March. When I forward this document I shall give informa-
tion concerning the hopes and prospects of the Co &c. and speci-
fy how many are then wanted to fill up and of what trades. For
this purpose I shall then request you or some other person to ad-
vertise in your city. Persons thus engaged will arrive in Balto.
as soon as we shall and there join us. This must serve instead of
your proposition of coming on by land. Policy forbids sending
on the men alone.

The offer which j-ou make of a letter of credit for 500$ relieves
me much, if you could give me one for 1300$ and in case I draw
for more than the 500$ you could draw on Jas. Brown for the sur-
plus it would accomodate me much. B will answer drafts for the
800$ at ten days sight and in such case pledge property of mine
in his hands to raise it.

The guarantee which I wish you to make I have placed on the
back of my agreement with H & Williams made payable in de-
fault 27 months from date.

[Xo signature.]

liB"

CORRKvSrONnKNCR:
XI.V.

[99

Cambridge Feb 26th 1832
iJrother Jacob (Howel Furnace N Jersey)

I write to inform you
that on Thursday March :st we shall form our camp on Long
Island in Boston Harbour and that within 6 days thereafter we
shall sail for Baltimore. I write thus early that you may loose no
time in making preparations for a moove to —

[This letter breaks off because a leaf of the letter-book has been
torn out at this point.]

XI A' I.

Cambridge Feb 28th 1832
Mess. Davenport & Byron (N York)

Gent. Enclosed you [will
find] the bond of Mess. A. Norris and Co. which please pass to
my credit, and after making the small purch[a'ijes below named for-
ward to me an ace. of your disbursements kvith ballance due you
said ballance I will then foi ward to you in a Branch check. These
papers must arrive here by the 6th March as I may leave Boston
as soon as that time. Let them be directed to jue in Boston to
the care of Frederic Tudor Esq. If you find it impossible to get
theye accounts here by the time named present them to Mess
Cripps and Wyeth Pearl St. whom I will request to settle them.
I wish you to send the goods to me to the care of Mess Wyeth
& Norris Baltimore and by the steam-boat line if possible to avoid
the risk of their not arriving in season. Nearly all the goods
wanted have been obtained here. The chains I have obtained.
What I new want is 3 doz. Spanish knives of best quality for
personal aims 5 ^ inch blade with a set to prevent its shutting
when open, 60 to 8[o] yds of red cloth such as is used in the In-
dian trade to cost not more than 1.75 per yard of a bright scarlet
6-4 wide. Purchase none unles? of the k's.d you know to be
used in the Indian trade, ibout 50$ worth oi beads of the size of
the large ones which are enclosed 3^ of the blue of the same
shade as nearly as can be ot the small ones. Of the small ones I
have purchased an assortment.

fNo signature.]

XLVII

Long Island Boston Harbor March 3d 1832
Mr Seymour Whiting (New York)

Dear Sir Your fav. of 27 ulto.
came in course to hand and would have been answered before
this but for my being extremely buisy in forming my camp at
this place which was done on the 'st inst. We shall sail during
all the time to the 8th inst [?] for Baltimore per Bg. Ida \vith a
fair complement of men.

loo]

WYRTH'S ORK(iON KXPRDITIONS.

This expedition employs so nearly all my means that I find it
impossible to comply with your proposal but were my means
more extended I would with pleasure do it to ensure the benefit
of your company. Say to Mess Ball and Sinclair that we have
commenced in the work and shall go on with spirit. They have
probably ere this had a note from my brother of the firm of
Crippa and Wyeth in whose hand a copy of the compact has been
placed. ,

I am yr obt servt X. J. W

XIA'III.

1S32

Camp Long Island Boston Harbour March 3d
Mr. H. J. Kelley (Washington)

Dear vSir

Your fav. of 24th ulto. vas
received on the 2nd inst. being the day after I formed my camp at
this place. I have not and shall not call on Genl. Mc Neil having
written him once and received no answer. I sail per Bg. Ida
within 5 days for Baltimore and may be expected there from the
15 to the 20th inst. but shall remain there no longer than I can
possibly help.

I am perpectly well aware of the importance of cooperation of
all the Americans who may go to that countr\' but I am well con-
vinced that this thing has been delayed too long already and that
further delay will defeat my enterprise beside not being in the
habit of setting two times to do one thing. I am quite willing to
join your emigration but will not delay here or at St. Louis. You
very much mistake if you think I wish to desert your party, but
you must recollect that last ist Jany was set at first as the time of
starting.

I am yr Obt Servt. X. J. W.

XLIX.

Cambridge Camp Long Island March 4 1832
[This part of the head of the letter and the date are writ-
ten with the ink used in writing the first portion of the following
letter. All excepting the date is crossed out with ink used in
writing second portion.]

Bg. Ida at Sea
[With ink used in second portion.]
Bro. Perry (Nevvbur>' Vt.)

Your letter of Dec 22 was received in
due time. I have defered answeritig to this time that I might
speak as one on the verge of a great event. Yr letter to Mess.
Clark and Grau shall be delivered if opportunity serves. Perhaps
it is a dead letter. What you write in regard to myself I presume
is the truth and that I am not ashamed of, altho. it may be

i \

U.i.

CORRKSPONDRNCE:

[lOl

sealed ''Cordiality and kindaess is what I always presume on"
feeling as tho. I deserve it from the hands of all men in-as-much
as they deserve it from me.

The though[t] of leaving N. England ,'^>r7r/' has never entered
my mind. As to the hazard of it there can be no hazard greater
than death (in my crede) and that all must meet at some time
and if there were I should not much regret leaving the land of
religious freedom as you call it but it is not so to me finding in it
[Across the above portion of the copy of this letter is written
"continued on the next page." Copies of letters L. and LI. are
interposed between the preceding and the following portions.]
none of that freedom of religious opinion of which you speak, by
freedom of opinion I mean the exercise and iavowal of ones ideas
without harm accruing therefrom. Can any one say that my opin-
ions have been exercised in freedom and that no harm has accrued
to me. Can one any assert that I have not been lowered in the
estimation of my fellows thereby? Yet they are as honest opin-
ions and as conscientiously believed in and perhaps as much pains
and investigation used in their formation as in those ofmost men.
Have I not been told that those who believed not in the bible
were not fit to be argued with and that too by men who hold
themselves especially called to preach forth the religion of love
and charity to all men. Are not men of one denomination of opin-
ion avoided in all the relations of life by those of another does
not the orthodox man employ the orthodox in most buisness that
he may have the disposal of does not the temperance society man
often say that he will employ none but his own class whereby damage
accrues to the other and for merely taking the liberty to exercise
his own opinions. And yet you call this a land of civil and re-
ligious liberty. I repeat I have not found it such.

I doubt not brother Perr^' but you have much at heart my wel-
fare both teviporal and eternal a difference of opinion has never
in me created any hardness of opinion toward you I have always
thoughCl] you sincere in your professions and have respected 5'ou
accordingly as one who being convinced that he was in the right
path and only path was anxious that all should walk therein for
their good. I cannot but respect such disinterested and arduous
exertions for the good of others altho. I think them mistaken. I do
not ridicule nor would I persecute altho I do not believe but am
willing that all should enjoy their own opinions and am convinced
that all honest opinions will be tolerated elsewhere if not — [Across
the copy of this second portion of the letter is written "continued
on the 3rd following page frora last page. " About half of the page
designated is cut out. This mutilation of the lx)ok was caused evi-
dently by the desire to suppress the remainder of the letter — at
least two other letters were sacrificed as the two following remnants
indicate:]

I02]

WYKTH'vS OREGON i:XPKI)ITH WS.

Camp Long Island Head Boston Harbor V arch 6th [832

Mr K. E. Lansing (New York)

Dear vSir "our favor of 2nd inst is
at hand I have instructed my brother of the firm of Cripps & Wyeth
Pearl St. your city — [Half leaf removed.]

-advised if I had given any on such a subject. You can commu-
nicate at least twice a year, and if the expedition is fortunate you
will be able on your return to live in the stile you like, if otherwise
the thing will be abandoned within two years and you will return
just as well off as you are now. Please consider this my last letter
from this place. I am yr afte Bro. N. J. Wyeth

[Copies of six letters at least were inserted between 2nd and 3rd
(which is missing) portions of letter XLIX. This indicates un-
unusual deliberation in writing that letter if not hesitation in copy-
ing it into his book.

The irregularity in the order of appearance of the letters in this
part of the book is most likely due to a. failure to have the letter
book always at hand in passing back and forth between Cambridge,
Camp Long Island, and Boston.]

-at
Ints

Boston March 9th 1S32
Brother Leonard (New York)

Enclosed you have a check in fav. of
Mess. Davenport and Byron for 450$ with which please settle
the balance due the above gentlemen of 525.79. The above is all
the money that I can spare at this place. The surplus you will
oblige me by considering as in part of what I am allowed to draw
on you for. If you cannot do this draw on me in Baltimore and
it shall be refunded.

I am &c X.J. Wyeth.

, LI.

Boston Marcii 9th, 1S32
Mess. Davenport and Byron(N York)

Gent Your fav. of 3d inst.
is but just received and is ver\- satisfactory. Please accept my
thanks for the promptness with which you have attended to this
buisness.

By this mail I have made remittance to Mr. Leond. I. Wyeth
of the firm of Mess. Cripps & Wyeth Pearl St. your city on
whom please call for settlement. I go hence by water therefore
cannot have the pleasiire of seeing you in N. York as you are po-
lite enough to hope.

I am yr obt servt. X. J. Wyeth.

i^S

CORRKSPONDRNCK:
UI.

[103

Cambridge March 5th 1832
Bro, Leond. (New York)

Mess. Tucker and Williams will for-
ward to you the agreements between them, Henry Hall and my-
self on both of which you will please place your guarantee for
$1500 and request Charles to do the same for 1000$ and in case
he is not in your city send them to him to execute and in either
case have one returned whence it came and the other sent to me
at Baltimore, also all letters of credit which you have for me to
arrive there from the 17 th to the 20th inst. Please take a copy
for your own satisfaction and request Charles to do the same. I
shall not write to you again from this place but will endeavour to
do it from Baltimore if I do not see 5'ou there which if buisness
permits would gratify me much.
All well here and in haste.

Yr afte. Bro. N. J. W.

Ull.

Cambridge March 6th 1832.
Bro. Leond (N. York)

Your fav. of 3d inst. is at hand. My let-
ter book is at Long Island therefore cannot give you a duplicate
of my leiier of the 27th inst. I think it contained some agree-
ments between myself and men and instructions to engage 15
who would comply with the same, and write notes to all those
had seen you on the subject. This letter was enveloped in a
newspaper covering post paid to the care of your firm. Please
on the receipt of this write notes to The. Bache, care of Mr.
Swartwort tne collector and to E. E. Lansing care of Mess Whit-
ney and Mc.Farlan 91 Maiden Lane stating that such a letter has
miscarried. A duplicate I will send to-morrow. We sail in the
Bg. Ida for Baltimore on the loth inst. The letter to E-* E. March
is received for which I thank you.

I am Yr Afte Bro N. J. W.

IJV.

Camp Long Island Head Boston Harbor Mr. 5th 1832
Mr Theo. Bache (New York)

Dear Sir

Your fav. of the ist inst. is at
hand. Our camp was formed at this place on the ist inst. We
sail for Baltimore in the brig Ida on the 10th inst. and should we
have a good passage we may be expected to arrive in that
city by the i8th by which time please be in that city.

Ere this I suppose you have received a note from my brother
of your city in whose possession you will find a copy of the con-
tract to l>e signed and which will l)e done when you meet us.

I04]

WVRTH'S OREGON RXPRDITIONvS.

The letter from Mr. Lansing is at hand and is answered by this
mail. I am &c N. J. W.

[Half leaf of letter book is here cut out. This mutilation de-
stroyed the 3rd portion of letter XLIX. and the main parts of
two letters remnants of which are given in connection with let-
ter XUX.]

LV.

Boston March loth 1832
Mr John Ball X. York

Dear vSir This is to inform you of our
sailing this day in the Baltimore Packett Ida and to request you
to meet us at Baltimore as soon as the i8th near which time we
may be expected to arrive in the city. When there enquire of
me of Mess. Wyeth & Norris Markett St. Baltimore.

Yr Obt Servt N. J. W

lA'i.

Boston March loth 1S32
Mr. John Sinclair (X. York)

Dear Sir This is to inform you
of our sailing this day in the Baltimore Packett Ida and to re-
quest you to meet us at Baltimore as soon as the i8th near which
time we may be expected to arrive in that city. When there en-
quire of Mess Wyeth & Norris Market St. Baltimore for me.

I am yr. &c N. J. Wyeth

LVII.

Bg. Ida at Sea March 15th 1832
Bro. Leonard (New York)

Fearing I may not see you on my arri-
val at Baltimore I employ my leisure in writing to you. I have
given Mr Brown a power of at[t]orney to act in my behalf. This
I did because he is on the spot and also more intimate with my
affairs than any other person. Another reason was that there is
a bank getting up in Cambridge of which he cannot fail of being
a director, and through him if I wish I shall have the power of
raising money provided I make him sufficiently intimate with my
affairs. If successfuU my operations will require a large sum of
money and a bank in Camb. will be the one to raise it from and
by placing my unavailable property at his disposal it may be
used through his endorsement at a bank that will always want cusr
tomers. I have not yet made up my mind whom I shall commis-
sion to examine the ace. of Mess. Tucker and Williams and I
think I shall not at present commission any one to do it inas-
much as nothing will be required until the shipments are made
nor do I know that any examination will be requisite until the ex-
piration of five years. If you think otherwise and are willing to at-

COR R KSPOX DKN'C K:

['"5

tend to it I will request them to forward their accounts to you.
I shall sand you certified accounts of my disbursements in liehalf
of the Co. These are available according to the agreement as
soon as the amt. can be spared from the operations of the concern
without interest, as also all private loans to the different members
on account of their outfits and traveling expenses and notes or
due bills for the latter I will forward you from St. Louis or PVank-
lin in order that I may send 3'ou all aL once. As to the commis-
sions of this buisnass they are all mortgaged for the 5 years and
must go to Tucker and Williams. I should have been l)etter
pleased to have kept them at my own disposal but I could not do
it and perhaps during the 5 years it would be no object. I have
obtained letters from J. Baker and Son vhich will enable me to
send home goods and information by their vessells also to pur-
chase any surplus goods that their vessells may have when leav-
ing that coast. This may be an advantage to both saving them
the loss of carrying home a few useless goods and enabling me to
purchase what I want without paying freight. Thej' also if they
continue the salmon [trade] wish to make arrangement with
me to put up their cargoes which I may do provided it does not
interfere with my own trade in this article. I like the men much
and if it lays in my way to do them a favor it certainly will be
done. Letters will reach me through Tucker and Williams Bos-
ton and I enjoin upon you to write me as often as you have an
opportunity and you may rest assured that I will do the same .
My journal I shall send one copy to Mr. Brown and one to
you and Charles jointly. These you must preserve with care as
it will be intended for publication if on finishing it is found
worth it, and as the character of the expedition will depend much
on this care must be used that it be not lost or divulged, as pub-
lication would destroy one half of its value and it may be that I
would not wish all the facts of the trade divulged before I have
done with it.

As I am leaving all reasonable vicinity I must bid adieu
to all my friends among w^hich I number your good wife.
Say to her that her life has been checkered with heav3' afflictions
but still there have been other misfortunes more difficult to bear,
that there is comfort in some sorts of affliction but in others there
is naught but bitterness and that as we advance in life we are
gradually weaned from our love of life until we pass naturally
from this to another existence and that death which in early life
we dread so much I doubt not may come a welcome visitor to
the weary and worn in misfortune and to those whose dearest
treasures have gone before them. Say to the little girls that
their uncle Mat has gone far from them but that in the wilder-
ness he stil[l] remembers them while probably in a few months he
will be forgotten, all but the name b}' them and this I have no

io6]

WYRTH'vS OREGON RXPRDITIONvS.

doubt you will keep in their miuds, life is too full of pleasures for
them to remember their distant friends long.

My health is pretty good and hope and excitement has made
another man of me. I am determined to give up no more to
melancholy feelings but rouse myself up to exertion and enter-
prise and forget the things that have been and all but what is be-
fore me. If I am successful there will be some comfort in it if
otherwise I will have some serious and present misfortunes t-
keep me from brooding over more distant and metaphysical ones.
If I fail in my enterprise it will be an undertaking that few men
could even look at if successful it will be fame and wealth enough
to keep me on a par and in standing with the best other circum-
stances to the contrary notwithstanding. The present which Mr.
Tudor made me on settlement is as fair an offset to Mr. J. . . con-
duct that in a civil way he shall know it, it is too good an enco-
mium on my character to keep from him. You need not be
alarmed for my temper, for I will keep the advantage of coolness
over him and he shall find that I have more patience than he im-
agined and too much pride to shew that he can hurt my feelings
even if it is really the case. I expect a little spleen from him but
he shall keep it all to himself he shall not infect me with it, it
would gratify him too much.

I left our parents all well and also the other member:-* of the
family some scolding and some crying, and both to equally little
purpose, altho thej' have their effect and show who values us.

I am &c N. J. W.

P. S. Baltimore March 24th 1832

I arrived here on the 23d inst. and received your fav. of
the 1 5th enclosing a letter to Tiffany Shaw & Co. and check for
424.21 which is ver^' tim'^ly, as Charley had even forgot to for-
ward Mortons note which he had been twice directed to do. I
shall leave this on Tuesday and shall wish to receive an answer
to this at Pitsburg.

I^VIII.

ife
to

iSt

he
no

Baltimore March 24th 1832
Judah Touro Esq. (N. Orleans)

Dear Sir J write to apprise you that on my arrival at this
place on my way out to the Columbia River I found that my
brother Mr C. Wyeth had neglected to forward to you the note
against Morton Brown & Co. referred to in my letter of the 7 th of
Feb. last. The note will be disposed of here or left behind or
sent to you, in the last of which cases please look for advices to
Mr. C. Wyeth.

Please excuse my troubling vou in this matter.

I am &c X. J. W.

! i

COR R K«rON dp; N'C v.:
UK.

[107

Haltimore March 24th 1832
Mr. H. J. Kelley (Washington City)

Dear Sir I arr]i]ved here on
the 23d at midnight and have received your favor of same day.
I will take charge of any of the emigrants who will defray their
own expenses at any part of the route provided no delay will be
occasioned to my party. I leave this on Tuesday next for Pits-
burg and should be pleased to receive from you a copy of the map
referred to in your letter.

N. J. W.
LX.

Baltimore March 24th 1832
Mr Jas Brown (Cambridge)

Dear Sir I arrived here on the 23d
inst. after a severe passage. Please fix in your mind some means
of mortgaging my house for about $800 — and pledging the note
of F. Tudor for its amt. in order that when drawn as I possibly
may you may not be put to inconvenience. I shall be obliged to
draw at short sight if at all, on ace. of the scarcity of money at
the West. If you feel able to do it, forward to Leond. I. Wyeth
another letter similar in tenor to the first, allowing him to draw at
what sight you are able and for what further amt. you think your-
self safe in doing. I hope and think that I shall [not] call for more
than |200 but wish to be on the safe side. On board the Brig
Ida you will find a bundle of nine Buffaloes which are I. Reads
please pay freight and hand them to him and pay the damage
and give him ray thanks.

Give my love to your good wife and boys.

Vr friend N. J. W.

LXI.

Brownsville April 6th 1832
Brother Charles (Baltimore)

I write to apprise you that I shall have
to draw on you in accordance with your letter of Cr. given me
by Mr. Norris for 300$ from Wheeling and in case I should not
be able to dispose of such draft I shall from that place request
you to forward me a Branch Check for the same. I write this
knowing the state of the money markett and in order that you
may be prepared.

N. J. Wyeth.

hXll.

Pitsburg April 8th 1832
Bro. Leonard (New York)

Your fav. of 28th ulto. is at hand. I
shall in case I fail to obtain money on a letter of Cr. from Charles

TOBI

WVKTH'vS ORKflON KXPHDITIONS.

lor 300$ draw on you for the 1 100 provided I want so much and
if 1 want more I shall presume to draw on you for the full amt.
of 1300 and presume that Charles will meet the same.as I relieved
him from doing so at Baltimore, and Mr. Brown can certainly
avail himself of sufficient from my property in his hands to meet
any thing that I will draw.

Jacob says his trunk is worth $100 you may therefore calcu-
late it $25. It can be of no importance to me nor do I believe to
himself. Leave this morning direct for St. Louis. I will re-
quest Jacob to write to you.

There is a balance of a draft of Jacobs for 150$ with father's
endorsement thereon in my favor on Charles, and this amt. I shall
not use and from this you can reimburse yourself if you deem ad-
visable and I will retain the draft for your advantage. As Charles
has seen it he cannot refuse to pay it. The draft is for 600$ and
is in my hands. $450 was consumed by a little cash and the
letter of credit above referred to. I will send it to you on Charles
if you direct me so to do, at St. Louis where I wish to receive an
answer to this.

N. J. W.

hxiu.

Pitsburg April 8th 1832
Bro. Charles (Baltimore)

Being Sunday cannot sell a draft on you.
Please pay the amt. of your letter of Cr. to Leond. L Wyeth and
oblige Yr Afte Bro X. J. Wyeth.

LXIV.

Pitsburg April 8th 1832

Mr H. J. Kelley (Washington)

Dear Sir Your fav. of 29th ulto. is
at hand. I will in conformity with my first assurance given in
my letter of 23d ulto. take charge of ten of your emigrants.
Any further arrangement must be with the persons who are
disposed to go out. My reason for this is that I am bound
by my engagements to my Company and must consult them in
regard to any arrangements on the subject but you need not by
this understand me positively to refuse it as I do not know how
the Co. will be disposed to act.

I shall at all times be disposed to further an emigration to the
Columbia as far as I deem, on actual knowledge of the country',
that it will be for the advantage of the emigrants, but before I
am better acquainted with the facts I will not lend my aid in in-
ducing ignorant persons to render their scituation worse rather
than better.

fNo signature.]

CORK I'lSPON DKNC K;

[109

I.XV.

Citiciimti April loth 1S32
T^eotid. Jarvis Ksq. (Baltimore)

Dear Sir Your fav. of the 5th
inst. came safe to hand, enclosing the very acceptable letters to
Mess Pilcher & Sanford, also authority to draw on you for $500
if my necessitys required and if such happens to be the case I shall
advise you of it. You have my thanks for the kindness and
you —

LXVI.

[Letter LXV breaks off abruptly. Letter LXVL opens with-
out date or superscription. As they appear on pages numbered
as consecutive the inference would be that occasion suddenly
arose to pack the letter lx)ok at Cincinnati and not again use it
until Ft. Vancouver was reached. The words "Probably to F.
Tudor F)sq." are in Mr. Wyeth's hand.]

Probably to F. Tudor Ksq,

On the 4th of Jany inst. the wind vered to the N.E.and immedi-
ately the weather which to that time had l)een rainy and warm
set in clear and cold, li1 ■ that you have when the wind is N.
W.but not so cold, the ler. var>'ing from ladeg.to zodeg. above
zero. The Coluribia as near as I can find freezes up about half
the years. Last winter and this it has frozen. The ice when it
freezes smooth is good. It is now about 6 inches, but the sur-
face is a complete chaos, but as this trade will not soon thrive in
this quarter it ceases to be a subject of interest.

In an agricultural view there are many advantages in this
country the most prominent of which is that the opemtion of
plowing need never be suspended more than one month, and
one half of the years not at all, (thereby giving much more
time for the farmer's work,) and the facility of feeding stock in
winter for the snow seldom falls here and the horses and cattle
feed out all the ^'ear. When the wind comes from the land it is
cool and drj', wnen from the ocean it rains incessantly. There
appears to me to be but a small proportion of the countrj' fit for
cultivation. Near the sea the country is mountainous and rough
so much so that I believe 9-10 of the land could not be
ploughed. Farther in the interior the nights are frosty all sum-
mer the earth excessively barren producing but a scanty portion
of very nutritive grass, and I presume there are few parts of the
earth where less moisture is found than in the interior of this
country. The best part of this country that I have seen is on
the Wallemet but I am informed that there is a good section of
country near Pugets Sound and on the Cowliskie River. On the
Columbia itself there is little or no valuable land. Of the Sal-
mon and Fur buisness I can inform you nothing as no buisness
letters can go out of this country by this conveyance. When I

lio]

WM.TH'S ORKC.ON IvXPRDFTlONS.

arrived at the British posts my men what were then left being
determined to wander no more I was left to ray scxf in this di-
lemma. I was invited by Dr J. McOlancland (C.ov. in l)ehalf of
the H. H. Co. in this conntr>') to make this post ray habitation
until I returned. I have l>een treated in the most hospitable and
kind manner by all the gentlemen of this country. There are
far lore of the comforts of life enjoyed here by tlie residents
than is imagined in the states.

Resi)ectfully yr. obt. vServt. Nathl. J. Wyeth

I.XVII.

Fort V'anoouver Jany i6th 1H33
iJear Parents (Camli)

After much delay and somt> difficulty in the
shape of long marches on fwn I am at last here a .d now am as
much in haste to get back again. From hunger 1 have suffered
not much. This climate proves to be warm and agreeable but in
winter rather too much rain. You may expect me home in
October next.

Jacob could go no farther than the mountains. His heart
looked back 10 the thingK of home and he could not see the re-
turn convoy depart alone. Livermore deserted me twelve days
out from the settlements. Both are I hope safe with their friends
but the latter behaved very* dishonorably. I do not write much
at the present as I hope to be so soon with you beside I cannot
by this conveyance touch on matters of buisness all I can say is
that the first of it looks bad enough. If I should be longer in re-
turning than above stated do not be alarmed for in the way
I shall travell there is no danger except of my health and that is
now pretty good. My party have now all left me and I have
hired two men who are to return with me. I have in time of
need found (i!i this land of strangers) kind friends who have alle-
viated all my sufferings with the exception of that one which
arises from a consciousness that I shall nt er be able to repay to
them those civilities that I have received but I am sure that the
opportunity of assisting me has afforded them pleasure. You
can have but little idea how much men improve in some points of
character in scituations like these. If olite carriage and
shrewd intellect are best acquired in mote p »pulous parts of the
earth, generous feelings are fostered by the wilds, and amid sav-
agt s the civilized man seems to uphold his character better than
among his fellows. Yr. afte son, Nathl. J. Wyeth

L,XVIII.

I'ort Vancouver Jany i6th [833
Mess. Tucker & Williams (Boston)

Gent I am not at liberty In'
this conveyance to send you any information touching matters of

CORRKSPONDKNCR:

[HI

ii^!

buisiiess. I cati say to you nothing farther than that no orders
will come to you from me at present. My parly have ;ill left me
and I am about returning across the mountains with two men
that I have hired for the purpose. The small amt. of goods
which I took with me are deposited in the interior as well as
some furs. Of these I shall endeavor to avail myself on my re-
turn route but their value is not sufficient to tit out a sufficient
party expressly for them and unless I meet a party going very
near my deposits I shall dispose of them or leave them as may
happen. Perhaps so much as the above may be allowed to pass
by this conveyance. We have not suffered much owing to the
politeness and attention which I have received from the Traders
of this country both English and American. They have always
given me all the information and assistance in their power.
I am Yr. Obt. Servt. Nathl. J. Wyeth

hXlX.

Fort Vancouver Jany i6th 1S33
Brother Leond.

I write you this which will reach you near the
same time as myself provided I meet with no accident, but write
for fear that this should be the case. My route will be across the
land to about hatt 43 deg. in the Rocky Mountains and so down
the Platte to the Missouri. This letter will reach you by the fa-
vor of the H. B. Co. to whose agents in this quarter I am much
indebted for assistance and information but for obvious reasons
I cannot touch upon matters of buisness in a letter conveyed by
them further than to say that I shall draw on you or Charles for
a very small amt. due them for supplies and please consider this
as notice for the same. My journey hither has been attended
with much less difficulty than I expected but it appears the hard-
ships of the undertaking are much greater than those with me
anticipated as they have as they fell in with chances deserted, so
that I now have but two men whom I have hired to go back with
me. I think I may reach home in Oct. or Nov. next but it need oc-
casion no alarm if I am detained a year longer. My object in re-
turning by a different route from that by which this will reach
you is to avail myself of some deposits of valuables which I have
in the mountains. If I am so unfortunate as to meet no Amer-
ican party going to the states I will not be able to come for it is
too dangerous to cross the mountains with but three men and
those not the best for such a purpose. My health is pretty good
and I enjoy myself as well as I can while dependent on the hos-
pitality of others. I make this letter short expecting soon to be
with you.

You will give my respects to j'our good wife and love to the
little nieces. Mv respects also to Mr Osgood.

Yr. afte. Bro. Nathl. J. Wyeth.

113]

ir-
is

VVVKTirS ORKC.ON KXPHDITIONJi.
LXX.

Port Vancouver Jany i6th 1H33
Brother Charles i Baltimore,'

This will l)e. short and I hope sweet.
It comes to you by the politeness of the Hudsons Bay Co. and as
a matter ol consequeiiC2 cannot contain matters of buisness.
From the agents of this Co. I have received all manner of atten-
tion and assistance rendered in such a way as to make it palat-
able. I expect to be with you about the time that you receive
this but if I should be a year later do not l)e alarmed for it is en-
tirely a chance if I meet with an American party in the upper
country and if I do not, I must remain on this side of the Mts. I
have now with me two hired men only, all my party having left
me, and with only three men I will not undertake to cross the
mountains beside when I am in a country where I can get horses
to ride, BuflFaloe to eat, and Deer skin to wear I am as well off as
I can Ije anywhere and if I make no money, I shall loose none and
so much of life will be gone, all the trouble of life will be all the
same a hundred years hence. From the Hudsons Bay Co. I have
drawn some supplies and for these I shall draw a small draft on
you or lycond. and please receive this advise of the same. Our
journey out was attended with few of the difficulties anticipated as
also with less of the romance and adventure. I expect soon
to be with you and therefore do not write so much in full as
otherwise I would. Please present my best respects to your good
lady and to the little nephews. My name sake is by this time a
famous fellow and I hope he is as much like him he is named for,
as little Charlev, that is much more quiet and tractable than the
latter. ' Yr. Afte. Bror Nathl. J. Wyeth.

LXXI.

Fort Vancouver Jany i6th 1833
Ifir n<\ . J ari'i ■ '".sq. ( Baltimore)

Dear Uncle I write j'ou, because it
would be unpardonably in me not to do so whenever I have an
opportunity rather than because I have much to communicate.
Matters of buisness cannot pass by this conveyance which is
through the Hudsons Bay Co. I am about returning to the states
by the same route by which I came which I do to obtain some de-
posits of valuables which for want of horses I left in the interior.
In this I shall probably fail but the chance is worth trying for.
In case I am successful! I may arrive in your city about Oct.
next but if any disappointment occurs in meeting some Amer-
ican party I may be a year later. My party have all followed
suite —

CORRKSPONDENCK:

[113

[The removal of a leaf from the letter book at this point makes
the copies of letters LXXI and LXXII fragmentary anc' prob-
ably caused the entire loss of several other letters.]

LXXII.

— the Bg Sultana lx)und to the Columbia owned by Joseph
Baker and Son to the master and supercargo of whicft I had let-
ters of Cr. to enable me to take any supplies from her that were
wanted at certain regulated prices settled in Boston 6th [a]s
to abandoning the enterprise it was by their desire to a man. If
the above does not justify me from all reproach except ignorance
I must bear it but at the same time with a conscidi'.sness of not
deserving it.

The enclosed proposition I have forwarded to the Gov. through
Mr Herron by whom I was induced to make it. While with you
I had no idea that any arrangement of the kind could be made
otherwise should have handed it to you. I do not ask you to
put in a good word for me because I know you will d' it if con-
sistent with your judgment and not otherwise. If you remain in
the country I shall have the pleasure of seeing you again as I am
determined, at the present moment, to revisit it and eisdeavor to
improve by past experience. Of this letter you are at liberty to
make what use you think proper. It is intended to meet any strict-
ures that may be made on my conduct (for where there has been
suffering there is usually crimination) and to explain anything
that to anyone may appear misterious. I cannot close this with-
out expressing to you how much I am indebted to Mr. Pam-
brun Mr. Herron and Mr. Hermatinger for the attention they
have shown me.

Should any American vessell come to the Columbia there will
probably be on board and I think to be delivered to any British
post «ome articles for me. The order which I gave if I recollect
right comprised Books, seeds and clothing. Should such come to
hand the seed you will consider for the benefit of the Country',
and should be used to prevent loss. Books you will take for
yourself and all other articles after one year from receipt if not
otherwise ordered sell for the benefit of such persons as you deem
most worthy of it. Will you allow me the priviledge of writing
you from home. N J Wyeth

IvXXlII.

Inclosing copy of proposal contained in next letter.

Fort Colville March 12th

Sir

1833

I am induced by gentlemen in this country to suppose that you
would enter into some arrangement for a supply of goods and
therefore send the enclosed proposal. I left the Boston in March
last with 32 men with the intention of forming on the Columbia

BHilii

ii4l

WYRTH'vS ORKOOX KXPHDli'IONS.

or south of it [a post] for collecting furs and salmon to be sent to
the States by vessells ordered therefrom such vessells to bring out
the goods required for the trade. My plan was based on the fol-
lowing grounds viz. that Salmon (worth in the States i6$ per
Bbl. of 30 gallons) would pay all the expenses that goods intro-
duced by this route would be entitled to the drawback and this
would be ii consideration as they are nearly all foreign to the
States and being coarse pay a heavy duty, that the saving made in the
purchase of horses here instead of at St, Louis is at least 25$ per
head, that the danger of transporting this side of the mountains is
infinitely less than on the other and the distance to the Fur
country much less. In the first part of said undertaking I have
completely failed. All my men have left me and what goods and
valuables I had with me have been expended or deposited where
they will probably be lost to me. I am now on my return to the
States for the purpose of forming new arrangements to carr^- my
original plan into execution. In case I make no arrangement
with the Co. I shall if I arrive in Bosl >n by the 1st Nov. next
come to the Columbia the following summer, if I arrive later I
shall be delayed until the next.

It appears to me that as an American I posses some advantage
that an Englishman would not inasmuch as I can visit parts
of the country from which he is excluded and still not so remote
in point of distance difficulty or expense as from St. Louis.

I have already lof t largely from a capital at first small and am there-
fore desirous to proceed on a more secure plan even if it should offer
less prospect of profit. I have to observe that in case of agree-
ment being made I will give surety satisfactory to the Co. for ful-
filling an)' part of the same or if required will deposit in their
hands a sufficient sum for the same purpose. The only objection
to the latter would be the diff*erence in the rate of interest in the
states and with you.

In case of an agreement for supply of goods the supply of men
would still be a consideration. If men could come to this side of
the Ry. Mts. as early as July a fall hunt might be made which is
ail that can be done from St. Louis. Canadians are to be had
cheaper than Americans and are for some purposes better men.
Their conveyance would not be so expensive as horses would be
saved which cost 30$ at vSt. Louis and tb<i same set of anima's are
fit for a full hunt. I would not wish iiore than i.s Canadians.
These might be procured by myself or agent or furnished me
by the Co. as they might elect and the residue of the men re-
quired might be procured in the Mts. without the expense of
bringing them into the country or learning them the ways of it.
If no political dificulty exists there must be some advantage in us-
ing a few Canadians. Should you deem it for the interest of the
Co. to close with me ati agreement not essentially different
from the enclosed proposal you would much oblige me by for-

COR RKSPON DHNC Fv:

It'

warding to ray address care of Mess. Jarvis & Brown Merchants
Baltimore Marj'^land a contract to the purpose which I will exe-
cute and immediately proceed to fulfill. I request this mode of
proceedure because I will have but one month after my arrival at
Boston to prepare for a voyage to the Columbia, in case of fail-
ure of this negotiation with the Co.
To (ieo Simson Ksq (^ov. H. B. C. York Factory

Yrs &c N J W

Copy of the proposal enclosed in the two foregoing letters.

.St The Hon. H.B. C. to furnish at their store at Vancouver to
N.J .\V. such goods as he may select at the same rate that the
clerk-: of the said Co pay for the goods supplied them viz 50 pr ct
on their original cost

2d The said Co to lay no obstruction in the way of the said
Wyeths trading at any post or place for provisions or animals to
be iised in his buisness or to his trading furs anywhere south of
the Columbia and not within a 100 miles of their posts and gen-
erally in matters indifferent to their interest to forward his views
and operations and to give him such information as may l)e in
their power and not inconsistent with their immediate interest

3d The said Co to Cr the ace. of said Wyeth at the rate of $5
for full Beavers and in proportion for kittens and yearlings and for
all other furs and skins usually secured by the said Co. as mer-
chandise at the same prop, to their markett value in London or
wherever that Co. dispose of their furs as 5$ is to the markett
value of the Beaver skin.

4th The said Wyeth to deliver all Furs and skins of every de-
scription of which he may get possession to the Co.

5th Said Wyeth to continue the arrangement for five years
and in case of his not doing so to be bound not to do a Fur buis-
ness in any countr>' to which the H. B. Co. have access.

6th In ca.se said Wyeth faithfully performs this said agreement,
then the H. B. Co. at the end of the time agreed on is to pay over
to him any balance that may be due him in cash or goods as the
said W. may elect and at all times he is entitled to claim from
them in cash any balance which may be due him over a ' above
$1000.

LXXIV.

To Captain Bonneville of Salmon River June 22d 18^3.
Sir

I send you the following proposition for a mutual hunt in the
country south of the Columbia river which I visited last autumn
and winter. As to fie prospect of Beaver there I will only say
that 3 nave no doubt of taking 300 skins fall and spring. As
much sign as would give me this I have seen. I have little doubt
much more might be found, but in that country a hunt cannot \^e

1161

WYl'TH'vS ORKOON RXPKDITIONS.

nia<le with horses alone, boats must be used. I have obtained
some maps of the country teside my own observations in it, and
I have little doubt but I can make my way through it without
guides, who cannot be procured. As this country is distant an
immediate answer is required. As it regards the mules[?] Horses
would do but are by no means so good for grass in some places is
very bad. If the number required is a very great objection 9 would
do but goods enough to buy 3 more must be given in their stead.
The men that are wanted must be good, peaceable and industrious,
})Ut need not be trappers. I would prefer good men who have
not been more than one year in the country. In case of agree-
ment being made you are to engage to deliver what letters I wish
to send home, a boy about 13 years old and about 25 lbs. sun-
drys. The expenses of the boy in the States mj- brother in
N. York will pay to whom he is to be delivered. The boy will
have a mule to carr^- him. With so many animals as I have and
so few men I cannot come to the forks and I think these Indi-
ans will go no further than where in your route to Green River
you strike the plain of the Three Butes. There I hope to see
you and in case you acceed to the proposal, with all the things re-
quired in it, this hunt to be for one year to meet you at your ren-
dezvous of next year the furs to be equally divided between us
and I to have the right to take mine at any time during the 3'ear
yourself to have the right to send a man to see to your interests —

Proposition.

To be furnished by .Mr. Wyeth.

19 horses
3 mules

20 traps

3 men with myself
2 doz knives

I Lodge

Cooking apparatus

Vermillion.

fish Hooks a few sundrys.

10 lbs powder and lead.

14 pr. Horse shoes.

4 pack saddles and Harness.

To he furnished by Mr B.

9 men, armed, clothed for the

year with saddles &c
12 mules
9 skins dressed for making

boats
40 good traps
I doz files
4 doz knives
20 lbs tobacco
200 lbs grease, if possible
3 bales Indian meat
a few small tools

3 axes

12 pair Horse shoes (if you
ha e them.)

4 pack saddles and Harness.
6 pair of lashes[?]

25$ for cost of sundrys

25 lbs. powder and lead with it.

— said man to do duty the same as tVie other men and to have no

) i

CORRKSrONDFvN'CH:

[117

other control than to secure your interest in the division of Uie
skins. In case you are ready to make this arrangement you need
make no doubt of my being ready to enter at once on it except
that in the mean time I loose my animals.

You to have the liberty of sending a load of goods to pay off
the men you furnish. AH property at the risk ofitsowiier,
neither to be responsible for the debts of the othor.
• Yrs &c.

[No signature.]

I.XXV.

are written across the face of the fol-

[The words "Not Sent'
lowing letter.]

Head of Lewis River July 4th 1833
Mess Joseph Baker & Son, Boston Masstts.

Gent. Your politeness
to me in the little intercourse I had with you in regard to
my expedition hither must l>e my apology for troubling you with
this. I hope you will not deem me impertinent interested in the
information I send you. I tell you plainl}^ that all my prospects
of doing any thing on the coast with no more means than I have
still left of my own are at an end. I have traversed the country
in many directions and found all tho.se places which [are] accessi-
l)le to shipping occupied or about to be so by the H. B. Co. who
are efficient opponents. The salmon alone without the fur I
deem doubt full. Not that enough could not be traded of the na-
tives by a vessell in the Columbia but when you trade fish
of the Indians it is fresh to be sure but not fresh enough to salt
for a long voyage. Fish to keep well mu.st be salted immediately
from the sceine. If the plan is to catch them yourselves, I think
it is at least as doubtfuU possibil[i]ty. It appears to me that the
impression of the vast quantity of salmon in the Columbia' arrises
from not considering the vast number of Indians employed in
catching what is seen. If each Indian catches three a day it
would feed his family and still permit him to bring one along
side, and this would give more salmon than would be requisite
for a cargo biit salmon would in this case be from 6 to 30 hours
out of the water which is far too long in this warm climate.

I shall return next year about the time that you receive this
and probably endeavor to form some connection to carry on some
buisness in this countr>\ One years more experience here will
enable me to speak with more confidence of the foregoing mat-
ters. The mean time will be employed in a trapping expedition
with 1 1 men south of the Columbia River. I intend to reach the
vicinity of St. Francisco. I shall beg the honor of communica-
ting with you on my return, I subjoin a V.^*^ "f <-he posts occu-
pied or about to be so by the H. B. Co or. this coobt vi?.. an oc-

ir8]

WYKTH'vS ORKOON KXPKDITIONS.

ill

July 4th 1S32L3J

Having received from
take the liberty of ad-
about a year from the

casional post on the Umquoi River which is in latt. about 44 deg.
Fort George or Astoria renewed in 1830 and to be kept up. One
at Fraizers River which enitys lato Pugetts Sound about 30 miles
up. It is in contemplation 10 move this post to the coast and a lit-
tle south of the mouth of the River. One to be established this
year south of Nass. One already established at Xass. Also 4
Bgs. and Schs. employed on the coast continuously. One to be
established north of Nass this year.

The loss of Capt. lyamberts Bg. I suppose you have already
heard. The Active I have heard has gone to the Islands. I
have found no means of sending any of the business letters with
which you entrusted me. The family letters 1 gave to Capt
McNeil now in the Cos. service to deliver if he fell in with your
vessells. I am yr. obt. servt. Nathl J Wyeth.

LXXVl.
Heads of Lewis River
W'm H. Boardman Esq. (Boston Masstts)

Sir
Capt. McNeil the accompanying letters I
dressing you. I shall return to the States
time you receive this and shall then beg the favour to wait on
you with a letter of introduction from Capt. McNeil. It is not in
my power to communicate any information which can be interest-
ing to you other than what I presume is contained in the lettei of
Capt. McNeil, except a list of the posts established or about to be
so and the vessells in the employ of the H. B. Co. on the N. W.
coast. I beg you to believe that I have no interested views in
communication I make. When I return I shall be able from a
two years experience in the country to form a judgement whether
any thing can be done in it and shall then endeavour to form
.some connection to enable me to do it. Your acquaintance Mr.
F. Tudor will give you any information respecting myself which
you may desire. I was some years in his service and he knows
me well. I am yr. obt. vServt. Nathl J Wyeth.

Vz An occasional post at the Umquou River in I,att about 44 deg.
" Fort George or Astoria renewed some time since
" One 30 miles up Fraizers River which emptys into Pugetts
Sound.

This post will probably be removed to the Coast a little south of
the river.

One south of Nass to be established this year

One at Nass, now established.

One north of Nass to be established this year

Kept continually on the coast,

Your Bg Lima Capt McNeil

Diyad [Dryad] Bg. Capt. Kipling

Cadboro Bg. Capt, Sinclair

Vancouver sch. to be launched almut May Cap. Duncan

I •

6»

CORRKSPOI.DKN rC:
LXXVIl.

[119

[The words "Not Sent*' are written across the face of the fol-
lowing letter.]

Heads of Lewis River July 4th 1833
F. Tudor Ks<i. (Boston)

Dear Sir Since my last from Vadcouver of
Jany i6th I have by 'devious routes and with two men made my
way to this place which is near the back 1x)ne of America and in
Latt 46 deg. some minutes. Excepting 6 weeks which were
spent at Vancouver I have been continually on the march since I
left you. I can now speak more freely of my circumstances than
in my last. I have obtained enough furs to pay my expenses
since I left home but they are hidden in the country and I have
not been able to make my wa)' to them as yet. I remain here
for this and other purposes one year more. I have recruited 9
more men which makes me 12 in all and 34 Horses and mules.
With these I shall make a hunt and p[e]rhaps obtain what furs
I collected last year. In the progress of this years hunt I mean
to go southward to near the vicinity of the Spanish settlements in
Calafornia. If I am unsuccessful this is my last effort and how-
ever disagreeable it may l>e I sliall then return home, and solicit
again the place which your generosity once honored me with.
Strict necessity will only bring me to this. I beg you will excuse,
you know my troubles and altho my course has been different
from what you advised I trust that you will have lenity enough
to excuse what you doubtless deem a weakness and perhaps truly
(a man is no judge of his own maladies.)

In a letter to Mr. \Vm H. Boardman Esq. I hinted that in case
a farther experience should justify hopes of success in this coun-
try, I should return with a view to form some connection to en-
able me to pursue it. I refered him to you for a farther knowl-
edge of myself. Allow me to suggest the same to yourself. In
some of your last communications to me you hinted your inten-
tion of quitting the Ice buisness. I hope you have not done so.
It is a good permanent income to stand upon in case of disLas]-
trous speculations to which all are liable. I anticipate that you
have realized much money from your coffee operations. I can-
not see how you can fail of making some. Be assured if
my wishes would avail anything you would make plent)\ I am
now writing in the open air. I am shivering with cold, badly
clothed in skins. Here there is no wood to warm one [and] all
nature seems clothed in gloom. Be assured I look back upon
what and where I should have been, if but for one thing in great
bitterness of spirit. Distance as you conjectured has brought no
balm to the wounded mind and physical suffering has not allevi-

[119

I20]

WYRTH'S OREGON KXPKDITIONS.

ated the mental, nevertheless my perseverence (or obstinacy as
you please to term it) is not worn out, and if things go bad the
determination to make them go better is not the less. My health
is nearly the same as when with you. The bad food and starva-
tion of this country aoes not agree well with me. I am starting
in a dangerous route in case the worst should happen my best
wishes are that your prosperity and happiness may be in propor-
tion to your talent and perseverence in buisness and your kind-
ness and favor to myself in better days more I cannot wish you.
Be pleased to give my respects to Mr. Gordon.

I am yr. obliged and obt servt. Nathl J Wyeth

LXXVIII.

["Not Sent" written across the face.]

Heads of Lewis River July 4th 1S33
Mess. Tucker & Williams and Henry Hall Esq. (Boston Masstts)

Gent. Since mine of i6th Jany last I have made my way to
this place but without being able to obtain my deposites of furs
or goods. I have however been able to raise 9 more men making
a party now of 12 with 34 horses and mules. With the.se I shall
make a hunt, and probably reach to near the Spanish .settlement
of St. Francisco, and on my return obtain my last years deposites
of furs &c. All this if I do not loose my scalp. If no such acci-
dent happens you will see me about one year from the time that
>'ou receive this. In the mean time no orders will come to you
from me. The requisite amt. of furs I have collected, but they
are not at accessible places, neither do I deem the buisness of the
coast of such certain issue as to induce me to risk bringing out a
vessell. The whole coast as far as furs are concerned is taken up
by the H.B.Co. As to Salmon those of the Columbia only are
superior. A sufficient quan[ti]ty of these could be traded but when
you trade a salmon it is from 6 to 30 hours old which is to[o] old
in this warm climate to salt well. It is true it will keep, but sal-
mon badly cured is a common article, and will bring but a small
price. I am quite sure that traded salmon could not be cured so
as to be first rate and others would hardly pay sending home. To
catch them is a matter that requires much knowledge. The In-
dian mode is too .slow. Several good fisherj^s would be requisite
for the sufficient and speedy supply of a ve.sseel. I should not
venture on the latter mode without myself coming home and put-
ting up the requisite materials and implements for the buisness
beside I think as all my men have left me and in future I should
have the responsibility of wages to men, it would be more pru-
dent to form a connection if pos,sible and avoid a liability to which
my own means are not adequate.

I remain Gent, your obt. Servt Nathl J. W\'eth

C( ) R R KSPON DKNCK:
LXXIX.

[l3l

["Not Sent" written across the face.]

Heads of Lewis River July 4th 1S33
Brother Leonard ( Xew York)

While I am shivering with the cold
without wood and nothitig hut a few skins to cover my n.iked-
ness you are jirohably enjoying the festivities of the day with
your wife and litttle ones at your side. To think of those things
gi\es me the blue Devils. Time has not rid me of these and
physical suftering has not lessened the mental but rather points my
mind to the cause. If I can still as of old sing"Heave care oerside
&c"it is rather in obstinacy than in truth or perhaps is more like a
good dinner & wine thrown 1)ack from a gorged stomach. I drew
on you from Colville for about $io(i. In the letter in which I
advised you of it I could not well apologize for the lil)erty that I
took as I knew it would be examined. If you knew my neces-
sitys I believe you would not ask the reason of my drawing on
you without funds. If you will reccoUect I left the land which I
bought of Harvd Colledge under mortgage. This will be due
two years from last March. On this land I have paid $500. My
pride is much concerned in keeping it and my necessitys from the
world. Should I not return in time to make arrangements my-
self, I beg you to enable Mr. Brown to defer payment by remortg-
aging it. A farther payment of $500 would certainly enable him
to do this and perhaps he can without any further payt. I shall
write Charles to the same effect. That you will do it between
you is my only dependence, and consider that there are enough
things to mortify me without :,uch an experience as the failure of
this would subject me to, still do not for me go farther than
your duty to your-self and family will admit of. I am alone in
the world and if my misfortunes are heavy, there is but one to
bear them, I wish not to drag others into them. As it regards
my buisness in this country what I have done I have done mostly
without help. The furs I have got would in all if in the states pay
my expenses but they are deposited in the earth in remote places
where I was obliged to leave them for want of animals and it is
a chance if I am able ever to get them. I shall give no orders
under the contract for which you are security and I hope you
will consider this in the matter of the land mentioned above. I
have with much exertion recruited my party to 12 men my-
self included and 34 animals and shall make a years hunt and
endeavour to obtain some of my furs of last year in the progress
of this hunt. I shall go southward as far as the vicinity of St.
Francisco in New Calafornia and if no accident happens to me and
there is a possibility of so doing I shall be with you about a year
from the time that you receive t^i.^. The enterprise I am upon

is a dangerous one but I trust to my usual

gocjd

luck to bear me

122]

WYKTH'S ORHGON KXPEDITIONS.

through. vShould I give a letter of introduction to you to any
one connected with the Fur trade I wish you would not inform
them \vhether I am worth any thing or not as it is not for my in-
terest tha . they should suppose that they have an inefficient op-
ponent. Let them infer what they please but at the same time
extend to them as much hospitality as you possibly can. Reccol-
lect that I have already drawn largely on theirs and am con-
tinually exposed to do the same again and do not be startled at
atiy difference of manners and appearance reccoUect that they have
l>een educated with the Bears of the wilderness. Remember me
affectionately to your wife and the little ones and believe that I
reccoUect you as often as I have occasion for your kindness, as
you may well infer from my drafts on your cash, and I hope that
you will do me the credit of doing so at other times. My health
[isj much the same as when I was at home. I send you a Boy.
Please send him to my wife and pay what expenses are incurretl
on him to vour place. I am vour affte Bro.

Nath. J Wyeth

LXXX.

["Not Sent" written across the face.]

Heads of Lewis River July 4th 1S33
Bro. Charles (Baltimore)

I hope that today you are better off than
myself. I hope you are in peace of mind and content enjoying
with your friends and family the festivities of the day and I hope
you have a thought too of me. Imagine to yourself a fellow seat-
ed on the open and extensive prairie beside a little brook without
a fire in freezing weather and poorly clad in skins with plenty of
poor raw dried buffaloe meat and you see Nat. A meeting with
Mr. Bonneville gives me the power to make up jointly with him
a party for a hunt for this season. I shall not come home this year.
My party is 1 2 in number with myself and 34 animals. With
the.'ie I shall go southward to the vic'nity of St. Francisco in
New Calafornia. Since I have been in the country I have col-
lected Furs enough to pay my expenses but they are deposited in
such places as render it at least doubtful if ever I see them again.
They were left for want of horses to carry them. This and other
matters relating to my being worth property or not please not to
communicate to any one connected with the Fur trade even if he
come with a letter from me. If they find out my true circum-
stances let it be by their own wits. It is not my interest that
they sup[p]ose me worth nothing, at the same time should I give
a letter of introduction to any of them have the goodness to ex-
tend as much hospitality to them as you can. Keep in mind that
in this country I am continually liable to receive it from them
and that I have already received much. Your bond for the fulfil-

6()

CORRlCSPONDKNCIv:

(«2;>

tneiit of a contract with Mess Tucker atul Williams you niuy now
consider a dead letter. I shall make no use of the contract with
them at least until I see you. I have a reciuest to ask of you and
Leonard jointly. It is that you would enable Mr Hrown to defer
the payment to Harvd Colledge for the land I bought of them.
It l)ecomes due two years from last March. I have paid $ot.j$ on
this land a farther payt. of 500$ would undoubtedly enable him
to reraortgage it. My pride has but little to cling to now save it
I l)eg of you in this respect. If I return as I expect in alx)utone
year from the time you receive this I can arrange the matter my-
self. But there is so much Ldoubt] of my being able to do so
lliat I deem it requisite to make the alK)ve reciuest at this time.
Please give my affectionate resj^ects to your lady and little ones.

Yr afte Bro. \. J. \V.
IXXXl.

["Xot Sent" written across the face.]

Heads of Lewis River July 4th 1S33
Leond. Jarvis lis([. (Baltimore)

Dear Uncle, Since my last of i6th
J any from Fort Vancouver I have made ray way so far across the
land with two men l>ut have not been able to go to the places
where my furs of last year are deposited. Circumstances now en-
able me to raise a small party of men with which to try again if
any thing can be made in this country. My scituation is here far
from Ixiing comfortable. Since my last I have seen some suffer-
ing and this year I shall probably see much more and with so
small a party there is some danger. Since I have l^en in the
country I have caught furs enough to pay all of my expenses if
they were in the States but I do not much expect to be able to
get them without as much trouble and expense as would be re-
quired to catch as many more and for this purpose I am about
starting for a hunt to the southward of the Columbia River. In
the course of this hunt I shall probably go to near the Spanish
settlement of St. Francisco in New Calafornia. About a year
from the time you receive this you may expect to see me in your
city. I think there is a good ci.ance to make money in this coun-
try. A good hunter can take an average of 1 20 skins in a year
these are worth in Boston about $1000. Such hunters can be
hired for about 400$ payable in goods at an average of 600 per ct
profit. The animals to do the buisness of a camp cost here about
4$ in goods prime cost in Boston or N. York. A band of 20
hunters require about 10 men for the various buisness of the
camp. These with transportation horses $3300 for these men do
not take all their pay in goods. The Hunters do not actually
cost more than 2000$. This as you will perceive vnll leave a
large profit. I am certain that had I the means now here I could

ii4j

WYRTn'vS f)RK(iON KXPliniTIONS.

tlo as well as this. All the means that I have with me and avail-
able only enal)le me to lit out a party of 1 2 men and 34 horses
and mules. This party is one half mine and one half Mr Uone-
villes and myself am to lead it ind take one half of the skins. The
result of this party will show whether my calculation above %'\v ■
en is correct and if so will enable me to follow the buisness. If it
])roves otherwi.se I shall give it all up and come home and per-
liaps remain there. I have made a proposal to the Hon. H. B,
Co. and requested them to direct their answer to your care. Will
you have the gocMiness to open their letter and write them that
lor reasons above stated I am not with you to do so myself. Say
to them that I am on a hunting; excursion and will stop at some
(jf their posts where by means of their general letter to the win-
tering partners I shall find if it is accepted and in such case I will
hand over the proceeds of my hunt to meet the requisitions of the
contract, but in fault of finding such information shall j^roceed to
the American rendezvous in the Mts. where by your means I will
get their answer and act accordingly. Will you also have the
goodness to send me a copy of their answer and contract if one is
sent not the original as the appearance of it would procure its
being stoped by some interested trader. This you can do by send-
ing the letters to Me.ss. Von Pool and McGil or Mr. E. E. March
of St. Louis with a reijuest that they will place the letters in
such hands as they will reach the rendezvous of the Americans in
the mountains. If all this is to[o] much trouble as I much fear
please make this request over to Charles. Please give my re-
spects to my good aunt. I am yr aft Nephew N. J. Wyetli

hXXXIl.

Heads of Lewis River July 4th i-S-^^
Mr. Thomas Nuttall (Cambridge)

Dear Sir I have sent through
my brother Leond of N. York a package of plants collected in the
interior and on the western coast of America somewhere about
Latt. 46 deg. I am afraid they will be of little value to you. The
rain has been so constant where I have been gathering them that
they have lost their colors in some cases, and they will be liable
to further accident on their route home.

I shall remain here one more year. You if in Camb. may ex-
pect to see me in about one year from the time you receive this.
I shall then ask you if you will follow another expedition to this
country in pursuit of your science. The cost would be less than
living at home.

I have several times attempted to preserve birds to send you
but have failed from the moisture and warmth. I^xcuse the
shoitness of this as I hav^e many letters to write and little time-
to do it in.

Resply Vr. obt. servt. Xathl. J Wyeth

IMAGE EVALUATION
TEST TARGET (MT-3)

1.0

i I.I

Utl2.S

|25

•** rrr

111 Uii

■ 21

Hfiu

Bill

£ lift 1

12.0

Ml^Mi^

PhotDgraphic

Sdenoes

Corporalion

jsr^^ -^rl\

23 WIST MAM STRKT

WltSTW,N.Y. 145M

(716)t72-4S03

JM".

CORRf«:SPONnENCK:

[•25

P. S. By the notes on the paper my journal will show the
place from which the plant comes if kept in its proper sheet until
I come home.

LXXXIII.

["This letter sent by Mr Krmatinger" written across the face.]

Dear Sir

Plain of the Three Butcs July 5th 1833

Having arr[i]ved at the camp of Mr. Bonneville I take the lib-
erty LofJ wiiting you by this la.st opportunity to express how much
I am under obligation to Mr. Krmatinger for the polite and agree-
able manner in which he has dispensed your hospitality to me
during the whole route.

I am here in a direct train for the States, and cannot without
some extraordinary accident fail of reaching home in Oct. next.
vShould you visit the states I would feel myself highly honored by
a visit or any intercourse which might be agreeable to you for
which purpose I have enclosed my direction. Should any of
your friends visit the States a letter would procure them any at-
tention which may be in my power. It will be a pleasure to exe-
cute any buisness commands with which you may entrust me.
Models of Agricultural implements, seeds and other matters
cotmected with 3'our tastes or buisness.

Resply. yr. obt. Servt. Nathl. J. Wyeth

To I)oct. McLaughland Fort Vancouver.

LXXXIV.

Heads of (ireen River July 1 8th 1833

Mess. Von Phul & McGill

Gent The enclosed draft by Mess. Bon-
neville & Co. $366.66 I desire you will collect of the Bearer Mr.
C. Cerri. If not paid by him at sight, please forward it for col-
lection to Mr Leond. I. Wyeth of the firm of Cripps & Wyeth lace
goods dealers New York and oblige

Yr. Obt. vServt. Nathl. J. Wyeth.

I.XXXV.

Green River July i8th 1833
Mr John Ball

Dear Sir I write to inform you that my agents at
Boston have sent to the care of Mess Bring^made Ladd and
Hooper of the Sandwich Islands two trunk and some letters for
you from thence they will be forwarded to the Columbia River
by the first opportunity. I return home by the Yellowstone and
Missouri in boats. I am Yr Obt Servt Nath J Wyeth.

- ■^•■ -^w t iVij iifti aii i iw iwii w itt

136]

WYKTHS ORKGON KXPKDITIONS.

LXXXVI.

Green River July i8th 1833
Mr F. Krraatinger

Dear Sir I arrived here on the i6th 9 days
from your camp Saw no Indians but saw the bones of Mr More
killed by the Blkfeet last yefir and buried them. He was one of
my men who left me in Pier[r]es Hole last year. A Mr Nudd
was also killed by them. All the rest arrived well in the
States. I found here about 250 whites. A list of the Cos.
iind their Beaver which I have seen I subjoin. 1 should
have been proud of my countrymen if you could have
seen the American Fur Co. or the party of Mr. S. Campbell.
For efficiency of goods, men, animals and arms, I do not
ixilieve the fur business has afforded a better example or
discipline. I have sold my animals and shall make a boat and
float down the Yellowstone and Missouri and see what the world
is made of there. Mr. \Vm Sublette and Mr Campbell have come
up the Missouri and established a trading fort at each location oi
the posts of the Am. Fur Co. with a view to a strong oppo-
sition. Good luck to their quarrels. I have got letters from the
States. The chief news are that the cholera Morbus has swept
through them killing 5000 people in N York and in proportion
elsewhere, (xenl. Jackson president an insurriK:tion in the South-
ern States on ace. of the Tariff but quelled by Bloc[k]ading their
ports and the repeal of the most obnoxious parts of the same.
About 25 Americans have been killed during the last year. A
Snake village is here with us. I find Bonnevilles connections are
responsible [A statement that he has a draft from B. for horses
follows but is crossed out.] he being very short of them. He
lost one entire party among the Crows that is the Horses
and of course all the Beavers. A party under Bridger and
Frapp also lost their' horses by the Aricarees, also Harris
party lost theirs by the same Inds. who have taken a perm<*-
nent residence on the Platte and left the Missouri which is
the reason I go by the last named river. Hanis party
did not interfere with any of my plans south of Snake River.

In my opinion you would have been Robbed of your goods and
Beaver if you had come here altho it is the west side of the
Mts. for Green River emtys into the head of the Gulph of Cala-
fornia. I give you this as an honest opinion which you can
communicate to the Co. There is here a great majority of Scoun-
drels, i should much doubt the personal safety of any one from
your side of the house.

My Respects to Mr. Payette and believe me vr. sincere friend

Nathl J. Wyeth

Drips and Fontenelle arrd July 8th 160 men a goo<i supply
of animals. Obtained 51 packs of 100 lbs ea. Beaver.

CORRRSPONDKNCi::

tu7

Rocky Mtn.Fur Co. 55 packs 55 men well supplied one party
not in Beaver sent home by Mr. Campbell.

Mess. Bonneville & Co. 22)4 packs. Few goods few horses
and poor Capt. Cerry goes home B. remains.

Harris party now in hand 7 packs Beaver and are on foot.

LXXXVIl.

Liberty 29th Uept. 1833
M r Wiggin Abbot (Expected from the upper Missouri soon)

I leave in charge of Mr Samuel some cloths for you. He will
also supply you with money sufficient to come to the eastward
and for other necessar>' expenses. I hope to see you soon and
reuiaiii Yrs &c

[No signature.]

When vou arrive at Baltimore call on Wveth and Nor-

ris for me.

LXXXVIII.

Liberty Sept 29th 1S33
Dear Sir (E.M.Samuel;

(Present) As it is my present intention to return
across the mountains to the Columbia the next Spring I deem it
requisite to open some arrangement fc the purchase of the nece s
sary outfits so far as horses harness and men. I wish to know
what is requisite in order that you commence the prosecution of
the above. Do you require a remittance or will you draw drafts
as fast as disbursements are required? The amt. of responsibility
will be from 3 to 4000$. An answer to the above I shall receive
in Baltimore to the care of Mess. Wyeth & Norris.

I further request that Wiggfin Abbot may be supplyed with money
t:* pay his expenses to Boston. He will come down the river with
Mr Sublette and is directed to call on you. I also request that
the suit in regard to the notes which Capt Hill alledges I gave
him may be defended. For all expenses which you may incur
please draw on Chas Wveth directed as above.

Yrs. &c N. J. W.

LXXXIX.

Steam Boat Oct. 4th 1833
Dear Sir.

When at the Station above I paid the small draft which I
had before given Doct. Fellows on you.

I leave with this at Mr Aliens a small bundle of clothes for
Abbot.

Yrs &c N. J. W.

To E. M. Samuel Esq Liberty Mo.

P. S. Mr Aull says he is willing to swear that Johnson when
he brought him the note in question expressed himself uncertain

138]

WYKTH'S ORRGON KXPKDITIONS.

when he got it also that he saw the freight paid. Could not the
testimony be used?

XC.

Steam Boat Mo. River Nov. 4th[Oct. 4th] 1833
Kred. Tudor Esq. (Boston)

Dear Sir Since my last from Colm. River
ot' Jany i6th, I have made my way to this place on boat below
Fort Leavenworth and make haste to inform you of the same. I
shall probably stop a few days in Balto. Philad. and N York and
will not probablyjarrive at home sooner than the loth Nov. Expect-
ing so soon to see you there is little to write further than to say
that I have arrived in good health and spirits, and that nothing
would give me more pler^sure than to receive a letter from you
at Baltimore. Should you have any buisness to transact on my
route to Boston I should be glad to serve you in any way you
may direct.

[No signature.]

XCI.

Steam Boat Mo. River Oct 4th 1833
Mess. Tucker & Williams and Henr>' Hall Esq. (Boston)

Gent. I write merely to apprise you of my arrival .so far as
this. I shall be in Boston about the loth next month when I
shall be able to confer [on] matters of buisness [better] than by
letter. I received your letter of 19th Dec. i833[2] through Mr
Sublette on the heads of the Colorado of the West, and can hard-
ly expre.ss the pleasure that it gave me.

Yrs &c N. J. W.

XCII.

St. Louis Oct. 9th 1833
Mr. E. M. Samuel, (Liberty Missouri Enclosing his order on Ed.
Tracy of St. Louis for 200$)

Dear Sir I arrived here to day. Above
you have your order for 200$ not used. I shall put the buisness
of the counterfeit note into the hands of one of the gentlemen
named in your memo.

My respects to your good lady and Mr. More and my thanks to
yourself for the many attentions you have shown me

I am yr obt. Servt. N. J. W.

XCIII.

St. Louis Oct. 9th 1833
Mr. M. O. Sublette (at St. Louis) Dear Sir

Accoiding to prom-
ise I write but can siy nothing farther than when with you. You
may depend on the contract or the bond, and you will hear from
me within 9 weeks stating possitively which. I leave this place

COR RKSPONDKNCK:

[129

!,'l

for lyouisville to morro^^ and shall write you directed to the Post of-
fice here. If you A^Tite to me direct to Cambridge Masstts care of
Mr.Jas. Brown.

YrObtServ*.. N. J. W.
XCIV.

St lyouis Oct 9th 1833
Mr M. G. Sublette (Left at TownsC?] Hotel St Louis)
You will find a letter in the Post Office for you.

Yrs &c N. J. W.

XCV.

Cincinati Oct 17th 1833
(To Oenl. Harrison)

(present) Sir The enclosed I received from your
son on the Big Horn. I met him on Green River on the Color-
ado of the West and was with him some 20 days. He is in good
health and told me that he should remain in the Indian country
through the winter. He has taken an outfit from Fitzpatric &
Co of some few horses and men for the trapping buisness.

It would have afforded me much pleasure to have delivered the
note in person but haste prevents.

&c N. J. W.
XCVI.

Baltimore Oct 21th 1833
Sir (London)

In answer to a letter which I wrote to you from Fort
Colvill dated March 12th 1833 1 received information that the said
letter had been transmitted to you. I request that an answer may
be sent to Mess Cripps & Wyeth Merchts N. York which will
be in season as I arrived too late to proceed to the Columbia by
vessell this year.

I have made a contract for the delivery of a quantity of goods
to Mr. Sublette and Mr. Fitzpatric partners under the stUe of
the Rocky Mountains Fur Co. Shou[l]d your Co. make the
agreement which I propose I would fulfil the contract with the
R. M. F. Co. goods from the States and hand over the furs i-e-
ceived at Walla walla or Vancouver and the furs so delivered to
be in lieu of the security which is proposed in my letter to you as
above.

(To Geo Simson Esq. or the Gov. or Agent of the Hon. Hud-
sons Bay Co. London)

I am yr. obt. Servt. Nath J Wyeth

XCVII.

Baltimore Oct 26th 1833
Bro. Leond. (New York)

Will you have the goodness to call[on]
Mr. Alfred Seaton and ask him if in case two small drafts made

i.vO

WYKTH'S ORHOON KXPRDITIONvS.

by Bonneville & Co. amt. about $416 and which on raj' arrival at
St. Louis I left for presentment to Mr.Cerry who brings down the
returns of said Co. are not paid by said Cerry if he will pay the
same. These drafts we[re] drawn on Mr Seaton and others at
60 days sight provided Mr Cerr>' did not elect to pay them
at St. Louis at sight.

I shall await here the arrival of Charles, if I do not get notice
from him that he will remain long enough to see him in N.York.
The enclosed letter I wish sent to England by the first convisy-
ance and if you think proper you can direct to the care of Mr
Cripps or any one who will see it delivered as I am not quite cer-
tain of the direction. Please seal it

Yrs &c N. J. W.

XCVIII.

Baltimore Oct. 27th 1833
Mr.Wm. H. Boardman (Boston)

Sir Having to wait here a few days I
enclose two letters which I received from Capt. McNeil on the
Columbia. On my arrival I will do my self the pleasure to call on
you with a letter of introduction from Capt. McNeil

I am &o N. J. W.

XCIX.

Baltimore Oct zSth 1833
Old Jonas

On board the Bg. Calo[?] Capt. Percival you will find 2
Indians one Trunk one rifle pair Elk Horns pacage of papers
small bundle of cloths which plea.se deliver at my house. The
freight and passage is paid. She will sail about the ist Nov.
Shall be with you soon and am

Yrs &c Nathl J Wyeth

Cambridge Nov. 8th [833
Mr Henry Hall and Mess Tucker and Williams

Gent. In order to understand
Ihe nature of that branch of the Fur trade in which I propose to '
operate I deem it requisite to eater into a short account of its size
and progress. The statements which I shall make are such as I
have heard and am confident are in the main true, but I do not
pledge my self that every circumstance is so but only that I have
heard them and believe them to be so and that the inferences are
such as my liest attention to the subject warrant.

About 12 years since Mr Wm H. Ashley engaged in the Indian
trade essaying by various means to obtain furs. At the time he
engaged in this undertaking he was bankrupt, but was a person
of cretlit, which enabled him to get the requisite means. His first
attempts were predicated upon the possibility of trading furs from

wmmr

CORR HSIHIXOKNC H:

l«.^i

the Indians in the interior for goods. In this he was not snccess-
ful, and in the event became much reduced in means, &nd credit,
hut in the course ofthis huisness perceived that there was plenty
of Heaver in the country' to which he had resorted for trade, but
great difficulty to induce the Indians to catch it. After many
tryals of trading voyages he converted his trading parties iiito
trapping (>arties. In the first establishmeut of this buisness he
met with all the usual difficulties incident to new plans but still
made something. About this time a Mr.Oardner one of his agents
met a Mr, Ogden clerk of the H. B. Co. in the Snake Country at
the head of a trapping party. Gardner induced the men of Og-
dens party to desert by promises of supplyes, and good prices for
furs. The furs thus obtained amounted to about 130 packs or
13000 lbs. worth at that time about $75000. The following year
Ashley sold out to Smith Sublette & Jackson for about $30000
and left the buisness, after paying up his old debts, worth about
50000$. Smith Sublette & Jackson continued the buisne.ss until 1829
and sold out to Milton Sublette Frapp Jervais Bridger and Thomas
Fitzpatric, and in the stile of the Rocky Mountain Fur Co. for
30000$, dividing among them about 60000$ for I think three years
buisness. This last firm has continued the buisness since have
paid the purchase money and have cleared their stock of goods
and animals requisite for the buisness in the country but not be-
ing buisness men and unknown where the goods are to be bought
have been dependent upon others for their sup[p]lies for which they
have paid enormously to Mr.Wm. L.Sublette brother to a member
of their firm. They have been together three years and have
made two returns amounting to 210 packs of furs, value nett
about 80000$ and received two outfits of goods, first cost about
6000$ for which they have paid about 30000$ and for returning
their furs about 8000$ leaving them after paying the first purchase
about 1 2000$ some of which must be due to men who have not
received their pay in goods leaving them with little property ex-
cept their Horses Mules and Traps and a few goods, and un-
available property.

. Since th"? commencement of this species of buisness severall
persons have attempted it, but all are now out of the way except
Mess Dripps & F'ontenelle fitted out by the Am. Fur Co.
and Mess. Bonneville & Co. fitted out by men in New York.
Neither of these last named Companies as far as I can ascertain
have made money to any great extent, owing to enormous prices
paid for goods. The countrj' to which these parties resort is ex-
tensive and there is plenty of room for them and many more, and if
f/iey made a little money, I do think if proper means are used that
much could be made. After this short account of the present
state of the huisness I proceed to sum up the expense of conduct-
ing it, as it ' ; now done, in order to shew where a saving may be

1^2 1 WVKTHS ORKC.ON IvXPRDITIONS. JH

made. I shall omit saying any thing about duties on coarse
woolens and other goods, used in this trade, which have to be
paid when goods are sent by way of St. Louis and which may he
saved when sent around the Horn.

The dry goods for an overland trip are best found in New York
and the other articles in St. Louis. A small charge must be ad-
ded for transport to St. I^uis for those bought in N.York, say on
40tx> lbs. including

Ins. & vSundrys $ i6o.cx)

Baling of the above and Sundrys bought at St. Louis.. loo.oo

50 pack saddles and 50 Riding Do 250.00

Hobbles and Halteru fur 100 animals 150.00

Shoeing for 100 animals 50.00

Corn and sundry for Horses 50.09

Saddle Blankets 100.00

50 men for 5 months at 15 per month 3750.00

Provisions to Buffaloe 100.00

Pack covers 50.00

Am[m]unition 100.00

100 animals 3000.00

Guns 300.00

First cost of goods 3000.00

Six months interest on all charges except wages 222.00

11382.00

l)eing the Cost of transporting goods (including the first cost) of
the value of $3000 from St. Louis to the Trois Titons lyong 1 10
deg. west Latt. about 43, Air line distance 900 miles.

In making an estimate of the cost of transporting the same
amt. of goods from the head of navigation on the Columbia I
shaii make the difference in time and force required which from
some knowledge I think just and also cost of Harness and
Horses.

50 pack Saddles and 1 5 riding do to be bought of the

I nds for about 25 cts, ea in goods 17.00

Halters and Hobbles for 65 animals 17.00

Buffaloes for blkts 30.00

15 men for 4 months at 15 per month 900.00

Provisions 1 00.00

Pack covers 50.00

Amunition 25.00

Guns 90.00

65 animals at $5 ea 325.00

First cost of goods 3000.00

$4554.00

76 CORkFISroNDRNCK:

Interest for lo months oti ull char^^es except wajjes nl'

met!

182. (X)

$47.^6.00
l)cinj? Ji difference of $6646.00 in fav of transporting goods from
the first rapids on the Columbia to the Trois Titons Kong 1 10
deg. west, Latt. 43deg N. (and 400 miles air line) over and above
vSt. I.ouis.

I have assumed a calculation of $3000.00 liecause I have con-
tractetl to supply that amt. of goods as per the enclosed copy of
contract and not l)ecause it is all that is required for the interior.
The amt. now consumed in the section of country with which 1
am conversant is atx)Ut 1 2000.00$ first cost in N York. Wheth -
er in the end I could supply all goods wanted may be a question
and of which you can judge as well as myself, but that men can
])e employed to trap beaver anc'. paid as far as their wants recjuire in
goods the same as is now done I feel not the least doubt and to
almost any extent, and that it rzn be done to a profit is proved
by the fact that the buisness is one of great profit even as it is
now conducted from St. Louis.

I shall now detail what I think may l)e done in order to get
the goods wanted to the Columbia and the Furs home in such
manner as that no part of the expense of the vess»»U may l>e
charged to them. Salmon have been brought from the Columbia
to Boston and I think sold for about $16 per bbl. but I believe in
not the best order which I suppose arose from their having been
caught too long before they were salted. This I was told by
persons who saw them put up. And if salmon are traded from
tlie Indians there will always be some difficulty in this respect,
but if salmon will bring $12 per bbl. they will pay all the ex-
penses of the vessell and lef ve a large allowance for the expenses
of the post, at which the> are caught, I make no doubt that
enough could lie taken when once the proper mode is adopted,
but I have not l)een on the Columbia below the first rapids in the
Salmon season, and should feel doubtfull as to the expediency of
ordering out a vessell before I have made a thorough examination
at the proper time of year. While there last winter I sounded
the bottom to ascertain [the] depth on the fishing grounds and if
the bottom was clear of snaggs and rocks and found it favorable.
I have every confidence when the proper mode is known and
adopted that this branch of the buisness will pay all the expenses
of the vessell and leave the fur trade free from all charges in the
shape of freight. The prominent advantages of supplying my
own or the trapping parties of other concerns from the Pacific
instead of St.lvouis are saf[e]ty of the country traversed, and con-
sequent saving of men, shortness of distance, and low price and
abundance of Horses on the Columbia. The latter circum-
stance alone ',vould enable any company doing their Imisness by

«.u]

WYirniS OHKCON IvXl'MIHTIONS.

that route to make a proffit efjual to all expeiiHes of transporting.
The Horses in the mountains are brought from St. I,ouis chiefly,
and cost about S30, and when you consider that a trapping
party uses ,^ at least to a man this alone is a large and con-
tiiuial saving in the buisness.

I will now proceed to state what I projiose to do if I can find the
means, and for the security of such jiersons as shall furnish me, I
can give such names as I Ijelieve would l)e satisfactory. These
names I will bring forward at the proper time. The enclosed
contract was made with Mr. Kitzpatric and Mr. Sublette of the
Rocky Mountain Fur Co. when I was in doubt whether I would
)^e al)le to perform it but knew I would l)e able to pay the de-
fault. The ontract as you will perceive will amt. to little more
than carr>'ing me into the Indian country free of expense and
procuring the buisness of a very efficient concern, in this light I
Iiohl it to lie valuable.

I pro|>ose to fulfill this contract. This done if the Rocky
Mountain Fur Co v.ill sell me their remaining furs at such rate
as I can make money or will pay me for transporting them to St.
Louis I will fit out a party sufficient to send them down with all
other furs then on hand. That they will do so I Ixilieve liecause
if I supply them with goods no other party will be there to do it,
and they will not have the means of doing it themselves in the
countr>'. If they should not do so, then I will proceed to a safe
country on the Columbia River where some furs may be traded
and there leave them with a few men leaving some men and a
trusty person to keep them and trade as many more as he can.
The residue of my party (their apparatus having been brought out
at the same time with Sublettes goods) will be employed in the
trapping buisness. During the last of the salmon season of 1S34 I
will be on the Columbia in order to see in what mode the Salmon may
be taken in such quantity as will do for a vessell and also endeav-
or to make returns by some vessell that may happen to l>e there.
If no such opportunity should occur then the furs must either re-
main in the country until a vessell can come out to receive them such
vessell bringing apparatus salt bbls. &c for taking home a cargo of
salmon and bringing also goods to supply the parties or when the
first outfit is exhausted the whole return, and afterwards com-
mence the undertaking by sea. In the mean time a proposal has
l^een made to the H. B. Co. to supply goods in the country and
receive the furs as per the enclosed copy of proposition.* Should I
have no partners in this buisness I might in case of their [H.B.Co's]
acceding to it deem it for my interest to close with them, if I had part-
ners I should probably not. Should you agree to give me the requi-
site supplys and I should afterwards close with them then you
shall be entitled to your commissions the same as though the af-

*See copy of proposition in connection with No. LXXIII, p. 5K.

7«

CORRHSI'O.VDKNCi::

t«35

fairs puHsed through your hatuls. Should you joiu me as |uirt-
ners you will of course exercise your judKeiuetit iii regard to
it, but I have uo expectatious that the Co. will accede to it aud
made it with a view to get their ideas ou the subject as much an
with auy expectation that they would close with me.

Ill ctise you a);ree to supply me for commiwiioiiH aud Interest
the amt. wanted will not l)e far from H to 10,000$ and wanted
some by the first of January and from that to ist March and in
auy case the cash would Ix? reciuired at the same period but the
amt mi{;ht l)e varied if you took partnership acct)rdinjf to your
views but I deem the smallest investment the Iwst until more ex-
perience is obtained.

I will in conclusion ol)serve that I consider all the coast an«l
country North of the Columbia completely (KX'upie<l by the Knj(-
lish, and all ea.sl of the mountains l>y the Americans. From these
countr>'S I expect nothing, l)Ut all that country lying south of
the Lewis Fork of the Columbia and west of the mountains as far
south as the s-'ttled parts of the Mexican territory is yet unex-
plored or nearly so. Into this section of country I have l)een,
and have my.self taken more than a pack of l)eaver in less than a
month, and the furs of this region are excellent from their color,
and goodne.ss, aud without doubt are reasonably abundant.
One reason why this country has been so much neglected is that
in it there are no Ruffaloc, and hunters cannot live in the luxury
that they like. Still with good economy food enough may be found
from the beaver, Elk, deer, and goat, of which there are some. Ot-
ter are plenty and good. Furs in this country would be good ex-
cept al)out three months in the summer and by approaching the
.sea coast where the climate is warmer the hunt might continue
all winter and thus add a great amt. to the years hunt without
adding any thing to the expense.

& &c N. J. W.

Knclosing copy of contract with Fitzpatric and Sublette and
proposal to the Hon. H. B. Co.

CI.

Cambridge Nov loth 1833
Bro I^eond. (N York)

Enclosed you have a note against Wyeth &
Norris [for] Three Hundred and Sixty Five dollars which plea.se
place to my ace. and forward me the same in order that I may
give you my note for the balance which is all I can do for the
present.

Am now in treaty with Mess. Tucker & Williams and as soon
as the result is known I will write you fully. All well here and
the wills destroyed at my request.

Yr Afte Bro. N. J. \V.

tl»]

WYKTII'S ORKCON ICXPIvDITlONS.
CI I.

CnmhridjSfc Nov. nth iS-^,^
McHs. Kditors

Haying while on a recent visit to the Columbia Received
much attention and kindness from the Ivnglish Traders there I
deem it a duty to express ray gratitude for the same, more es-
I>ecially as I am fre<iuently aske<l ths ({uestion if I was never
molested by them. By all their acts toward myself 1 am fully
convinced that all persons who from any cause may come into
contact with them will receive honorable and gentlemanly treat-
ment. Among the many to whom I am under obligation I wish
to name Chief Factors John McLaughlin and Finlinson, Chief
Trader Francis Horon, Mr. Francis I'>matinger and Mr. Fam-
brun. Among the American Traders I have received much at-
tention from Mr. Mckenzie and Mr. Laidlow of the Am.
Fur Co and Mr. Wm. I„. Sublette. To all the alwve gentlemen
I tender ray thanks

Vr. Obt. Servt. Nathl J Wyeth.
cm.

Carabridge Nov. toth 1833
Hro. Jacob (Cinlena Mo)

Having arrived here I take the first oppor-
tunity to forward your account in order that it may be r.ettled
while I am at home which is the more easy as there appears to lie
little difference l>etween us. The horse which you took in the
mountains was charged to me bj' the Co. at 75$ but in your
ace. I charge just enough to make balance between us. Int. is so
nearly even that I say nothing about it. $150 is credited by me
to you because that amt. which I took of Mess. Norris & Wj'eth in
Baltimore is charged to you in y\. tr ace. with them which should
have been charged to rae. The $94.50 in your ace. is cash paid
for medicines and money lent at various times. The $40 is
the amt. which I paid the Pacific Trading Co. as per your agree-
ment with them. Will you have the goodness to forward me as
soon as possible your ace. against me, that is just reverse the Dr.
and Cr. sides of the annexed receipt and forward it by mail, also
please let rae know how you are doing. All well here. Nudd
was killed last winter in the mountains, and Trumbull died at
Vancouver on the Columbia. All else well as far as I know.

Yr Afte Bro. X. J. Wyeth

CIV.

Cambridge Nov loth 1833
Mess. Joseph Baker & Son (Boston ) (This letter sent also to W.
H. Boardman)

Gent The following has been collected from the
clerks of the H. B. Co. during ray stay west of the mts. and al-

CORRRvSPONr KNCK:

[«37

tho not very definite may serve to show what opposition you may
expect from them. It has been gathered from so many persotis
that I am inclined to think that its truth may be relied on.

Yr Obt. Servt. N. J. W.

An occasional post on the Umquou River in about Latt. 4?. deg.
Fort George, or Astoria renewed about J830 and to be kept up.
A Fort at Fraizers River which emtys into Pugets Sound a1x>ut
30 miles up the river. It is contemplated to move this post to
the coast and a little south of the river. A Fort south of Nass to
Ixi established this year. A Fort now established at Nass. A
Fort north of Nass to be established this year
To 1)e kept on the Coast

Bg. Lima Capt. McNeil
" I)r\'ad " Kipling

" Kadboro " Sinclair
Sell. Vancouver " Duncan to be launchetl in June.

CV.

Cambridge Nov. 12th 1S33
Bro. Perr>' (Newburg Vt.)

I arrived home on 6th inst. in good
health and spirits and am very buisy in making arrangements for
another trip. I hope to get men the next time who will stick to
me. On arrival I found all well and much the same as when I
left. It would afford me much pleasure to see you this
winter but I do not think it po.ssible for me to spare the time
required for a visit to your place. I regret to find that a deserter
of mine has been publishing lies in some paper near you. Much
that he says can be contradicted but would operate as an expo-
sure to young Livermore which I would wish to avoid on ace. of his
parents. It appears to me that the letters of Bell go at least to
shew that he was guilty of Horse stealing and if his character is
much known to your vicinity his statements will meet with little
credit, and will not require from me any notice in fact I have nei-
ther time nor inclination to go into such a subject with such a
fellow. Please give me your Ideas on this matter.

You g^ave me a letter to a gentleman at the Sandwich Islands.
This I sent by a vessell bound theie.

My journey to the Pacific was attended by ver>' few of those
romantic adventures or terrible sufferings or privations supposed
to be incident to such journeys. I do not think I have been
without food for two whole days together and from cold we suf-
fered nothing. I have not read Mr. Balls letters but suppose they
will give a pretty fair idea of the country and journey for I
believe him to be a man of veracity and not inclined to exagerate.
John Wyeths book is one of /I'fi/e lies told for gain. I hear with
regret that you have lost your second child and with

,.._:-'^'<

1381

WYRTH'vS ORROON RXPRDITIONS.

pleasure that you have a new daughter. Be assured that I sim-
pathise in jour pains and pleasures.

If you wish I will send you the letters of Mr. John Ball from
the Columbia and a review published in a periodical edited by Mr.
Welland in this town of John Wyeths Book these two would if pub-
lished in some of your papers probably convince those who have
read Bells letters that there is room for doubt at least. I shall write
to S. K. Livermore but consider him entitled to no explanation from
me on ace. of his having consented to have public letters from a
deserter and thief to be addressed to him when I could not answer
and calculated to make an injurious impression against me, which
when the subject had onc« pa.ssed from the public mind it was
impossible to alter.

Please give my respects to your good wife and family and be-
lieve me Yr Aft Bro. N. J. W.

CVl.
["Not Sent" written across the face.]

Cambridge Nov. 13th 1833
S. K. Livermore Esq.

Sir I have returned to Cambridge and find
that during my absence publick \etters have been addressed to
you in answer to a call from you to the writer for information
concerning the desertion of your son from my party. Now I do
not object to your right to enquire into a matter which so nearly
concerns your family, but I do object to your right to publish,
or of aiding or abetting the publishment. This I conceive you
have done. Had I been in the countr>' at the time the case
would have been different. The injury is now done and thous-
ands have read the slander who can never see the answer, even if
I should make one which I am not disposed to do. Had you
made only private enquiries I should have considered myself
bound to give you inforination on the subject at the first oppor-
tunity, and then you would if you thought fit have had a right
to publish what you pleased, but as it is I do not think myself
bound to go into the subject with you. My case has by you been
tried and the result at ycur instigation published. No opportu-
nity was given me to explain in the case. I consider myself
treated with injustice and until these things are differently ex-
plained to me or I should see them in a different aspect, the
friendly relations in which we have heretofore been are broken.
I am Your obt. Servt Nath. J. Wyeth

CVII.

Cambridge Nov 12th 1833
L,e[o]nd Jarvis Esq. (Baltimore)

Dear Sir I have called as you requested
to see about a shawl to be sent to Vermont. It has been forward-

CORRKSI'ONDRNCR:

[«3

ed but so lately that there had not been time for you to hear of
it.

I am much engaged at this moment in endeavoring to make
arrangements to return to the Indian Countr}'^ and think I shall
succeed. In the mean time I have offers in the ice buisness from
Mr. Tudor more than equal to anything I left and shall close
[vnth him] in case I am unable to succeed i*' the other project.

If you will advise me in regard to answering or not answering
the calumnies and lies which have appean.y]i since I left, I will
take your advice but if they do not do me much hurt except with
strangers I am strongly inclined to say nothing. Two reasons
induce to this that my time is too much occupied is one. An-
other is that some exposures of character of near relatives might
]>e the consequence and generally in such matters the character of
the individuals at last govern the public belief. I ask your
advice.

I found all well here and now I have been here a few days I
am tired. There is little to interest. I have nothing to do except
making preparations to go and I begin to wish them done that I
may be off.

Please give my respects to my good aunt. Wife likes her dress
much and I am getting my pants, made up. As so< ii as I can
conclude what I shall do I shall write you in full.

Yr Afte Nephew N. J. W.

CVIII.

[No address or date. ]

To Mr. Henr>' Hall and Mess. Tucker & Williams (Boston)

Gent. Agreeable to arrangement I make the following pro-
posal, viz

You to furnish what capital is wanted to fulfil my contract
with Sublette & Co. and the sum wanted in order to send a ves-
sell to the Columbia river with goods for the Fur trade and ma-
terials for the salmon fishery Interest to be charged and credited
before any dividend of profits you being entitled to commissions
on buisness done here 2 }4 per ct on disbursements 2 yi per ct
Sales and guarantee and being at the nsk of the ultimate loss of
the buisness if any should occur. I will then engage in the buis-
ness for such time as may be agreed on you being bound as well
as myself to continue the buisness during such time and make
the requisite disbursements, myself having the entire control of
the buisness in the Indian country and on the Pacific. Under the
above terras I will engage in the undertaking for twenty five per
ct. of the profits that may accrue. The risk I run is of anj'
remuneration except there should be profits.

Yrs &c N. J. W.

i4o]

WYRTirS OREGON IJXPEDITIONS.

CIX.

Cambridge Nov 19th 1833
Mess Von Phull & McGill (St. Louis)

Gent The enclosed dupli-
cate is of much importance. I have sent it to you in order to be
certain that Mr. Milton G. Sublette will receive it, and you will
much oblige me by putting it into his hands if possible, otherwise
send it by as certain a conveyance as you can find. I request
that you will be careful to avoid passing it through the hands of
his brother Wm. L,. Sublette.

If the small demands whicn I gave you against Mr. Cerry are
paid please inform me of the same if they are not, on the receipt
of this, please forward them to Mess Cripps & Wyeth New York.
In this last case I will in the spring call oit you and pay the
charges that have been incurred, or you can ask them of Mr. K.
M. Samuel of Liberty Mo.

l^Inclosing the following letter to M. G. Sublette.)

(Duplicate) Orighial sent to Sublette.

Mr. M. G. Sublette

Sir This is to inform you that I am now ready
to fulfil the contract made with Mr. Fitzpatric and yourself on
the 14th Augt 1833 at Big Horn River and to request that you
will as soon as possible come to N. York where I will meet you.
If by letter you inform me when you will be there please use
this letter as an introduction to my Brother of the firm of Cripps
and Wyeth Pearl St. N York importers of Lace goods, and
leave wdth him directions where you may be found. I particu-
larly wish to .see you soon as I am about dispatching a vessell
round Cape Horn to the mout[h] of the Columbia and would if
pos.sible wish to make contract to supply your Co. the following
year. I am &c. Nath. J. Wyeth

ex.

Cambridge Nov 20th 1833
[The "20th" is written over a "17th".]
Bro. Leond. (N. York)

As requested I enclose note to St. Felix [for]
$768.50 but not payable to his order. If this is wrong I will
alter. I shall endeavor to have the matter settled as you propose
in regard to what may be still due me from the estate.

The proposal in your letter of nth inst. I deem impracticable
and shall not attempt. I am offered much better than when I
left off by Mr. Tudor who importunes me much to stay. He has
made $40000 — since I left which includes two years buisness.
This is in the ice, not including coffee on which I do not think
he will realize much. In a few days I shall know certainly what
I shall do and will then write you fully.

«4

CORRKSPONDKNCK:

[141

Tell the little ones that I shall send by the first opportunity
some small books for them. Perhaps I shall be in N. York soon.

Keep me as well informed as possible of any variation that may
take place in furs this in order to appear at home on the subject.

Yr. Afte. Bro. N. J. W.

CXI.

[No address.] Nov 17th 1833
Mes.s. J. Baker & Son

Gent Below you have an estimate of the
furs brot. in by the way of St. Louis for 1832 and 3. I have
marked those which I have seen. The rest are from information
which is as nearly correct as is requisite "for your purpose. These
furs are Beaver and otter, Land, about 1-20 of the latter.
I am Yr. obt. Servt. Nathl J Wyeth

90 packs from St. Fee
Seen- 30 Am. Fur Cos. party in the Mts. under Dripps and

Fontenelle
Seen- 140 Rocky Mt. Fur Co. brOt home by Wm. L. Sublette

120 Traded by the Am. Fur Co. at their posts on the Mis-
— — souri (Astors Co.)
380 packs of 100 lbs. ea. 1832.

Seen- 62 Am. Fur Cos. party under Dripps and Fontenelle in

Mts.
Seen- 61 Rocky Mtn. Fur Co brot home by Wm. L. Sublette
Seen- 30 Bonneville & Co brot home by Cerry to Alfred Seaton
N. York.
90 Am. Fur Co Traded at their posts on the Mi&souri
60 probably from St. Fee returns not made when I left St.
Louis.

303
The above are nearly all that came into the western States
From the Arkansas and the Mississippi few Beaver are brot
and whatever the quantity may be it must decrease yearly.

CXI I.

Boston Nov. 20th 1833
To Geo. Simson Esq

Sir Since my last from Baltimore dated Oct.
26th 1833 I have ascertained that there was still time to forward
a vessell to the Columbia to reach there by first of the salmon
season and a vessell is now in a state of forwardness for this pur-
pose, consequently all further negotiations for the present are at
an end in regard lo this subject. Had I been sure that you would
have accepted I would have entered into no other arrangement
but uncertain of this I could not let the opportunity pass. I re-
gret that I have troubled you so much in this matter.
I am Yr. Obt. Servt. Nathl. J. Wyeth

142]

WYETH'S ORKGON KXPEDITIONS.

Supplement to letter of 20th inst. to Leond I Wyeth N.York
[No. CX] enclosed in same sheet at same time viz To day the thing
is closed, the vessell to be sent round the Horn at once. In the
concern I have no risk further than I take stock. Have the full
management out there and one fourth of all profits. I take one
eighth of the stock }i still open. Stock 20000$ they to provide
for the remaining }i if no one offers on my part. Tis a bad bar-
gain but the best that I could do. I shall be in N. York soon.
Please forward the accompanying letter by the first Packett.

Yr afte bro. N. J. W.

CXIII.

Cambridge Nov 20th 1833
Bro. Charles (Baltimore)

It is now a matter settled that I go again
to the Pacific. A concern is made up here to invest $20000. I
have for my services one quarter of all profits and no risk.
So far I have the liberty of taking one quarter of the stock. I
have taken one eighth there is still one eighth open which the
partners here provide for in case I do not meet it. I am to
have the entire control qf the buisness in the Indian Country and
on the Pacific. I shall give up all your liabilities. No new ones
will be asked of you but you must give $1000 before the ist March.
If you can do this my )4 is provide[d] for. Please give me your
answer soon, and let it be yes. Shall be in N.York soon and will
write you at what time in order to meet you there if you can
come.

Yr. Aft. Bro. N. J. W.

CXIV.

Cambridge Nov 31th 1833
Leond Jarvis Esq (Ba[l]to.)

Dear Uncle On my return from a
journey eastward I found your very acceptable fav. of 17th inst.
In regard to the matter on which I asked advice I am happ> to
find that we agree. I did not ask your advice because I had any
doubts as to the best course to pursue but because it was a matter
in which the feelings of my friends were more concerned than my
own. Had you advised different your advice would have been
followed because I think one who has done so much for the re-
spectability of his family has a right to b:? consulted in such mat-
ters. You say to all whose opinions you value on proper occa-
sions vindicate your self. I value your good opinion much and
will therefore explain a few circumstances of which Bells letters
treat. John Wyeth tells many lifi/e lies but they are of not much
consequence. In Bells first letter to S. K. Livermore he says "One
landing was at Point Comfort. Here our Captain was determined
to make up lost time, and accordingly treated himself and

CORRESPONDENCE:

tM3

si, I

some of the companj' very liberally to champaigiie and the usual
effects of intemperate drinking succeeded." I deny none of these
facts, but I deny the intended inference. Some of the men were
worse of what they drank and Bell much more drunk than any other.
If Bell had told that he threw a handker'^hief full of eggs from
the pier into the boat, or that I ste[e]red the boat to the vessell
through a thick fogg about three miles with nothing to guide
me but the stars he would have told the truth and the inference
would have been somewhat plainer who "'exhibited the effects of in-
temperate drinking". Beside this it is nonsense to suppose I had
any lost time to make up. If I had had such a strong disposition
to loose no time in drinking I might have carried a plenty of liquor
with me. The fact that I carried some shews that there was no
very strong desire for it. The facts out of which this very pop-
ular story was made are these. After a long and squally
voyage during which most of the men had been sea sick and had
lived very poor on salt beef and pork, we anchored off old Point
Comfort and I went ashore with some five or six of the men to
procure some oysters eggs &c. I ordered a supper for those with
me and after supper I think two Bttles of Champagne and one of
Made[i]ra were drank and I believe some ardent spirit. Afterward
the landlord treated to some more I presume on ace. of the r Jvel-
ty of the Enterprise or some slight acquaintance with myself.
Having got what stores I could for those on board and seeinir that
the frolic had gone far enough I returned on board with no more
wine in mj' head than I have carried from your table. The an-
swer to what Bell says of promises about purchase of Horses is all
a lie. I never verbally or otherwise engaged to make other provis-
ion than what I might deem suitable and proper. All discression
in this matter was reserved to myself by agreement, and the fact
that they started is proof, that I did not. Can one man com-
pel 24 men to go with him against their will, and would the
men have started if I had broken my promises in the manner stat-
ed, or would they have gone at all if the equipment was evident-
ly insufficient. The fact is that no other idea was ever held up
to them except that of marching. If this was not the case why
did they march across the Aleganys. S. K. Livermore well
knows this, for with him I corresponded on the subject of Thomas
learning music for marching and in my letters to him dated Jany
23d & Feb 6th 1832 of which I have copy he will have the same
expressed, the same in regard to hunting dresses &c. Tis all a lie
that I made any promises on these subjects. The agreement
states that the party shall be provided in the usual way and man-
ner of trading parties, and this I can prove. Bell states that
Weeks expressing a determination not to go I compelled him by
put[t]ing him under arrest and afterward let him off on paying
over to me all the money he had, and adds "leaving him almost

U4]

\VYKTII\S ORROON KXPKDITIONS.

destitute of means to accomplish his return" he might have said
quite, if the first part of the statement was true.

The tacts were these. The day before I left the last of the set-
tlements I sent John Wyeth with a yoke of oxen and some sheep
out to horse guard. He returned near night stating that the
sheep strayed, and that he tied the oxen, and went after them,
but when he returned they had broke loose and he could nowhere
find them. I suspected all was not right, and sent a man to the
place with John. This man returned and told me that John could
shew no place where cattle had been tied, such place he would
have known by the tracks (before morning they [were] found
tied in a different direction) About this time Thomas Liver-
more told me that Johns gun was not in camp. 1 had the
men called to arras. When it was discovered that Weeks and
John Wyeth had no equipments they we[re] called upon to pro-
duce them, and refused. I put them under guard, and a short
time afterward Weeks offered to go and get them, and while out
attempted to escape from the man sent with him, but finally
produced the equipments. In the morning the Company was
called together. I stated to them that I had no power to release
any of the parties to our compact, that in regard to John he be-
ing a minor having been put under my charge by his father and
having no means of satisfying the concern for the expenses in-
curred on his ace. I should carry him on, but this I would pro-
pose that Weeks should be released provided that he would in-
demnify for expenses incurred by the concern over and above
what he had paid in. This passed by a vote according to form,
and by vote also it was provided that he might be released by
paying $40 and keep his cloths and equipments, which were Co.
property. This Weeks at first refused to do. I then told him
that he should go if I tied him to the tail of a horse. Soon after
he paid the $40 and was released. The whole buisness was done
by vote of the Co. and at the time recorded by the clerk of the
same. Now if the Co. as Bell says had been deceived and abused
could one man have exercised such control over them. The fact
is that the Co. generally felt much insenced at this attemp[tj at
desertion and secconded me fully and strongly in punishing it.
The companion of Bells desertion, was the person who informed
against those fellows viz. Livermore. In regard to the arbitrary
conduct during the twelve days which Bell remained with me after
this, I have only to say that I expected implicit obf^dience to my
orders and was determined to enforce it at all hazards. Notice
was given that those who lagged behind would be put on
guard. They lagged to get rid of some work which Is always
to be done immediately on reaching camp, and those who
avoided this labor I thought ought of right to make coiupensa-
tion by doing some other. Jacob was once put on guard for this

CORRKSPONDKXCR:

[145

"s *

offence. Livermore might have been but I do not reccoUect it.
It was the buisness of any one sick or disabled to report himself
to the Doct. and after examination he was entitled [to] and re-
ceived any indulgence that the circumstances of the party would
allow. Livermore complained of his feet once. I required to ex-
amine them, he refused and said his word was enough. I did
not think so, and required him to do the same duty as the others.
I had before experienced much impudence from Livermore. He
at one time told me, I lied. I told him to prepare himself to re-
turn home from the next landing for that he should go no fur-
ther with me. Before we got to the next landing he came and
expressed a willingness to go before the whole Co. and make an
apology. After this the matter was overlooked. His conduct
was always bad. The night before we left Boston he and Bell
were out all night and said they slept at a friends in Boston.
When we arrived at Baltimore Bell had a dapp and this was the
reason that he rode over the mountains at my expense. He takes
care to tell none of these things and this was the tyranny to
which he was subjected. Livermore spent on this trip beside the
$50 which his father gave him for his outfit near $50 which he
borrowed on various pretences of me, and something which you
gave.

["Insert here the Postscript" Is written acro&s the beginning
of the following paragraph.]

The suggestions in your letter concerning family quarrels pre-
vented me sending to Mr Livermore a letter which I had
written not in anger but in a spirit of just rebuke for what I con-
sider great meanness. I allude to his suffering a letter written to
Bell to be published and Bells letters to be addressed to him. If
these things were done without his consent he should have dis-
claim[ed] them, but he has aided in the dissemination of them and
thereby made it a positive consent instead of an implyed one. I
cannot overlook that as far as he is able he has assisted to get up
an impression against me, when I had no chance to rebut it. If
on the one hand I withhold an expression of my feelings for the
course he has pursued on the other I shall withhold all explana-
tions of things concerning which he might otherwise have en-
quired. I have enquired for Kendal at the Stables and Taverns,
he appears not to be known at either place. My impres-
sion is favorable to him I hope he will turn out well,
as much that you may get the suitable reward of your
exertions for him as for his own good. la regard to my own
plans I say that I would now entirely change my plan of life and
as old as I am not deem success unatanable, could I once convince
myself that my talents are as good as you seem to believe they are
but in this matter every man must judge of himself and make up
his own mind as to what he is most fitted for. I have never al-
lowed myself to abandon any serious project that I had formed.

146]

WYETH'S OREGON EXPEDITIONS

Pursuant to this plan of life I have urged on from the beginning
this western enterprise and I shall give it up only when I am
convinced I am destitute [of] the means to pursue it. I have ob-
tained the means of pursuing it and by relinquishing too much of
the profit I have avoided responsibility beyond such extent as I
am able to meet.

Please give my respects to my good aunt and accept for your-
self the best wishes of —

[Subscription written but crossed out.]

Postscript inserted in the body of the letter.

In regard to the fitness o the arrangements for the voyage
There were purchased 34 animals. There were 19 loads of goods
leaving 15 spare animals, beside two that were individual prop-
erty and 24 persons started. I call all animals loaded with pro-
visions spare ones becauste] in less than 20 days they would all be
released from their loads. If the men had took good care of the
animals they could have rode half of the way but instead of this
they lost or stole two horses before they lef[t] the settlements.
Livermore stole three and I killed one more in trying to overtake
him. Beside this some who were fearful to go on and disliked to
back out endeavored to ruin the expedition by ruining the horses.
Tin pots and picketts have been found under the pack saddles and
the backs of many of the animals were soon ruined and in conse-
quence we were all on foot except the sick or disabled or those
who were hunting. It is not true that I rode the day before
lyivermore and others deserted. That day myself and Mr. Buck[?]
went out to hunt on foot. This fact I distinctly recollect from
having found a horse that day. The day that they deserted I
rode the newly found horse to hunt and being out of camp and
able to go ahead of the party they were enabled to effect their
intention, a thing they would not have dared attemp[t] had I
been in camp. The provisions carried with the party wer[e] one
chest Tea pepper and salt, Corn meal 450 lbs. Bacon one yoke ox-
en sixteen sheep this to last until we should reach the Buffa-
loe country which we did in 22 da vs.

N J W

CXV.

Cambridge Dec 2d 1832
Bro Perry

Your very acceptable fav. of 25th ulto is at hand. In
regard to what I propose now I answer the same as at first viz.
to make money out of the fur trade. So far I have lost some
money and have gained some experience and hope yet to make
out. Am now fitting out a Bg. to go round the Horn to Bring
out some goods and bring home a cargo of Salmon, ist March
next I shall go to St. Louis and start overland again with some
goods which I have contracted to deliver to a concern in the mts.

corrrspondrncf::

[»47

with the furs received for these go [on] to the mouth of the Col-
umbia and send them home by my Brig take the goods which
she has brought out, and up again to the mountains exchange
goods for furs employ residue of year in trapping Beaver until
salmon season (ha\i'iig left men making barrels through the win-
ter) This done another vessell comes by arrangement takes the
salmon and collections of the year. I take of her more goods and
so the same round again. I take across the land about 40 men
hired at the west men here will not do. I am of your opinion
about Bells letters and shall not notice them. I have not written
to S. K. Livermore but consider his conduct as dishonorable.
The letters were addressed to him by his consent, because he cir-
culated them and has not said publicly that they had not his con-
sent. I shall not give him any explanation in the buisness and
consider he has forfeited ail claim to it. If horse stealing is a
crime anywhere it was under the circumstances that Bell and
others did it. I would prosecute if it were not for Ivivermore. I had
never any connection with H. J. Kelley farther than that I might
have gone in company with him if he had gone in season but I
had no view farther than trade at any time. I will not meet you
half way. I wish to see the wife and young ones. I shall if I
can possibly find time come all the way and bring wife but this is
uncertain. I have been East and go to N. York soon. After
my Brig is off may have a little leisure time. The Review I can
not send as I know of. If I do please send it back again as soon
as you can as it v;ill be a part of a sett. I mail this with all of
Balls letters which I have and they contain the whole I believe.

Y &c N. J. W.

■ CXVI.

Cambridge Dec 4th 1833
Mess Samuel & More

Gent Kncloserl you have an order on Mess.
Von Phul and McGill St. Louis for whatever ballance may be due
me with them.

In pursuance of the plan about which I spoke to you you will
oblige me by commencing to purchase mules and horses. The
first I am most anxious to get. 60 of each at least will be wanted.
As fast as you get the animals have them put under the charge of
some suitable person and kept together. You will of course ex-
ercise your judgement whether in regard to the question the cost
of buying now and feeding until spring will be more than purchas-
ing at once when we want them, and whether we could collect so
many animals at a moments warning.

The amt. due me if draft has been paid from Mess. Von
Phul and McGill is about $400 on which please commence to pur-
chase animals as you can meet with them cheap, and in the
mean time please designate where we can place funds for further

"^"''''*1litiii' ''^ff*' i l ^"^

148]

WYKTH'S OREGON KXPKniTIONvS.

»«

purchase of these animals. N. York or N. Orleans will be con-
venient to us. On this suDJect please address yourself to Mess.
Tucker and Williams Boston.

I am Yr Obt Servt N. J. Wyeth

CXVII.

Mess Von Phul & McGill

Gent Any funds of mine which may
be in your hands on the receipt of this please hand over to Mess
Samuel and More of Liberty Missouri and oblige

Yr Obt Servt Nathl J. Wyeth.
Boston Dec 4th 1833

CXVIII.

Cambridge Dec 9th 1837,
Mr Jas Worthington (Flonsante Co Missouri)

Dear Sir I shall be going to the Mts. as early next spring as
the grass will permit and shall be glad of your company with as
many persons as you may have with you and such goods as you
may choose to carry. I shall have a vessell sail for the mouth of
the Columbia in about ten days with goods and if you should fol-
low the buisness of Beaver catching I do not doubt that I could
hereafter supply you with goody in the Mts. much cheaper than
you could pack them up yourself.

You will know my movements from Mr. K. M. Samuel of Lib-
ertv. In the mean time I remain

Yr. Obt. Servt. N. J. Wyeth.

If you write direct to Cambridge Massachusetts.

CXIX.

Cambridge Dec. 9th 1833
Bro. Charles (Baltimore)

Your very acceptable fav. of the 26th ulto.
is at hand and would have been answered sooner bui I have been
down East and could not. You say that you will let me have
the $1000 dont fail me on any aco. as serious inconvenience would
be the consequence. Your understanding of the foundation of
the present exi>edition is correct. I can take no further risk than
the one eighth. I may risk my life but will not risk loosing so
much as that with health and industry I can retrieve myself. I
will go the whole Hogg no further than this.

I shall be in N. York soon but shall be there again in Febru-
ary, and as you think it will not be convenient to you to see me
there I will not expect to see you until Feb.

I diflFer with you as to the notice in the Courier it is not sharp
enough to cut. I have taken the advice of Mr. Jarvis and to all
that has been said I shall answer nothing and shall let character
determine mens minds.

9»

CORRKSI'ONnKXCi::

[M9

I have noi the least reason to find fault with Leonard and per-
haps in the end he will be the lietter able to render assistance
than now, and I am more in want of it. I have now many of-
fers to take part in this enterprise over and above what I can use
and all that makes it rcciuLsite for me to take any of the stock is
to shew confidence in it. We have lx)ugbt a fine new Brig and
she is nearly ready for sea.

In regard to the arrangement of the matters between Jonas i.nd
father I do not believe that I can lietter them. They are now on
good terms and Father does not wish any thing to be done. Quar-
rel they will more or less under any circumstances. I do not
think Jonas has done as well by the place as he could but he or
any one else would have a hard task to prevent all mischief to
the trees during times of hi'rry. Contrary to what you fear I
found things as well here as such matters can well l)e after what
has passed. I turn from home and friends only because I have
not yet done what I have undertaken.

I have been very buisy and cannot write you as much at length
as I could wish but perhaps I shall be more at leisure after the
vessell is off and do not be affronted if I serve ray best friends
worst. "Whom the L,ord lovethhechasteneth." I have written a
long letter to Mr. Jarvis on the subject of the statements that have
been made by the deserters and if Mr. Jarvis pleases he can shew
it you. Brother Perr>' advised me not to notice Bell at all, as his
character would not entitle him to credit at home. Give my re-
spects to your good wife. I am sorry for her complaint but can
suggest no remedy. Remind me to the little ones.

I am Yr. Afte. Bro. N. J. Wyeth

cxx.

Cambridge Dec 9th 1833
Hon I^vvis Cass. (Washtn)

Dear Sir Accompanying you have an
introductory note from Genl. Ashley. The object of addressing
you is this. There are west of the Mts. many gentlemen and ser-
vants of the Hudsons Bay Co who have Indian wives and fami-
lies and who are desirous of retiring from active life but they can
not well mingle in society as it is constituted in 0. Britain or the
U. States. They wish to locate themselves on the Wallammet or
Multnomah River, a river coming from the south into the Colum-
bia. They express themselves indifferent as to which Govt, they
may come under. There are now on this river nine families of
Trappers who have good farms. An answer to the following que-
ries or an expression of opinion from so high a source in regard to
them would be very acceptable to a class of men who are at a loss
to know where they may best spend the remnant of lives of toil
and danger. Viz

ist To what extent may they take upland.

i.sol

WYKTH'S ORKOON liXPEDITIONS.

2d What price will be demanded pr acre if the Am. Govt,
should take possession of the country'.

3d Can they he sure that they will be allowed to keep posses-
sion at any price.

4th If they are not allowed to keep the land will any allow-
ance be made for improvements.

I shall go early in the spring to the country west of the Mts.
and would be pleased to communicate any assurance or opinion
which you may do me the honor to give on this subject.

I should be happy to impart any information of which I may
he possessed to the Govt, if it is deemed desirable.

With Great Respect I have the honor to be

Yr Oht vServt. Nathl J Wyeth
Hon Lewis Cass i
Secty. of War S
Washington 1

CXXI.

Boston Dec loth 1833
Mess. Thomas C. Rockhill & Co (Philad)

Gent Above you have
draft for Seventy Nine dollars and Seventy Five cents which
please place to the Cr of Mess Samuel and More of Liberty Mo. of
which plea.se inform them and receipt for the same in my fav. to
them and oblige Yr. Obt. Servt. X. J. Wyeth.

CXXIl.

Cambridge Dec 12th 1833
Bro Leond. (N York)

Yours of 9th inst is received. In regard to
calculations about vessell &c will run over them with you soon
and personally.

Good did quite right in regard to the draft which you say has
l)een shewn you Drawn by Abbot fav. of Sublette & Campbell on
M. G. Sublette to be charged to me. Abbot is much my debtor,
has never had any authority to draw on me, but had authority to
take up money of Mess. Samuel & More and Wyeth & Norrisand
them only and of both he took up money and some more of me.
W^hen he arrived here two days since, he never mentioned to me
any thing of this transaction. He is now gone. There must
be something irregular in this buisness. A. has been gaming.
I shall not pay unless some shadow of an obligation can be shewn
why I should. I can conceive none which can be made to ap-
pear in this case.

• I regret to say I have not seen Mr. Osgood and do not know
where to find him oth'jrwise should not fail to call and see him.

CORR RSPON DKN'C K:

[«5t

I'i

I am waiting for Capt. Lambert who has gone to'see his family
expect him ever>' minute. When he comes shall leave directly
for vour citj^ in order to purchase goods, and as vou say

All well. N. J. Wyeth.

CXXIII.

N York Dec i8th 1833
Mess. Tucker & Williams Boston

Gent Arrived here on the i6th
I can find no callico shirts here. 200 are wanted which you had
best set making as soon as possible. Figures are wanted but
stripes will do if the other cannot be had. Let the colors be
bright and the stile gav.

Vr Obt vServt. N J Wyeth

cxxiv.

N. York Dec. iSth 1833
Mess. Tucker & Williams Boston

Gent I have completed pur-
chases all except Scarlett cloths or stronds of which there are
none in this place. You will have to pick up what you can to
cost not more than 1.80 per yd. From 5 to 10 pieces must do.
We cannot buy many at this rate. If nothing better can be found
Scarlett Duffle must be used. One Bale Blue Am. sheetings one
unbleached, still wanted. I do not find them here, so you can
buy them if you can find them.

I am yr. obt. Ser\'t Nathl J Wyeth

CXXV.

>« York Dec 19th 1833
Mess. Tucker & Williams Boston

Gent. I write to apprise you
that no vessell can sail before Saturday for Boston which will
give you a little more time. Still no scarlett stronds except
about 2 pieces at 1.75 pr 5'd. Shall find amt. of bill in order to
insure as soon as possible.

Yrs &c N. J. Wyeth

[An illegible P. vS. of four words.]

CXXVI.

N. York Dec. 20th 1833
Mess. Samuel & More

Gent. I am here purchasing goods to send
round the Horn by a vessell, and have not yet had the time to
make the arrangements proposed in your letter of Nov. 6th with
Mess T. C. Rockhill & Co nevertheless you will oblige by pro-
ceeding to purchase Horses and mules to any extent you
deem prudent not exceeding the directions contained in my letter
of 4th inst. Also to engage 30 men to leave your rountrj' in

«52]

WYRTH'vS OREGON KXPRDITIONS.

last of April and first of May next and for i >2 years. Engage
none but those you think good men. At my first opportunity on
returning to Boston I will forwd, to you a form of agreement with
the men and also complete an arrangement with Mess. Rockhill
& Co. by which funds will be placed to your Cr. as fast as you
expend it in the purchase of animals.

You can engage at the lowest possible rates 35 riding saddles
(Spaiii jh) These are for the men and should be of the cheaj^
kiiid without any finer>' about them, then 6 of a superior sort for
7is gentlemen \i\x\.%\})i\ wot expensive but good and plain. The
residue of the harness I will have made here and bring it on with
me.

I have to request that, if you can find Sublette, you will urge
that he come here sooner than Feb. he ought to come at once
and not leave the purchasing of his goods to the last minute.
Write to him to this effect if you know where he is and represent
to him that these goods should leave N. York or Boston by the
20th Feb. in order to be at the upper settlements in time for an
early start. I am &c N. J. Wyeth.

CXXVII.

N. York Dec 20th 1833
Mr. M. G. Sublette St Louis

Dear Sir Not having heard from
you since your arrival and heard nothing of your intentions ex-
cept from E. M. Samuel of Liberty I write to urge you to come
here immediately. It is important that you should select your
goods in good season as you will be able to do it much cheaper
and get better kinds when you have time to look about you than
when you are hurried, beside I am desirous of a spree with an old
Mountaineer these folks here wont do. My Brig will sail in a few
days for the Columbia with goods enough for an outfit for you
another year. Abbot passed this place a few days since. When
you come to N. York call on Mess Cripps and WyeLh Pearl St.
Please write me as soon as you can and inform me when you will
start for this place. Yr &c N. J. W.

CXXVII I.

New York 21st Dec. 1833
Mess Tucker & Williams Boston

Gent I leave this to day in the
steam Boat and will probably be with you Monday morning but
for fear of accident write to inform Lyou] that I have purchased
one small bale of Scarlett cloths of 10 pieces. This will obviate
any necessity of your buying at disadvantage as we can do with-
out more of this article.

Mr. Thomas informs me that he has purchaseLd] 5 Purcheons
Rum being all he can find in this place entitled to Debenture.
[Subscription written but crossed out.]

CORRKSPONnEXCK:

[153

I::l

CXXIX.

Cambridge Jany. 2d 1834
Bro i,eond.

I have this minute received a letter from Mr Milton
Sublette informing me that he leaves Pitsburgh on 26th Dec.
for N. York. What I desire is that you induce him if possible to
come at once to Boston, but if you cannot do this, you will have
the goodCness] first to drop me a line to the care of Mess Tucker &
Williams, and in the mean time if he is in great haste, let him
commence selecting goods, in which plea.se render him what assist-
ance you are able, making all your purchases at 6 mos. and oblige

Yr. Obt. Servt. Nathl J Wyeth

Enlcosing copy of contract with Fitzpatric & Sublette.

cxxx.

Cambridge Janv 2d i833[4
Mr. M. O. Sublette

Dear Sir Yr. esteemed fav of the 26 iilto. is at
hand. I am at this moment much engaged in fitting out a ves-
sell for the mouth of the Columbia. I have written to my broth-
er to urge you to come at once to Boston as the gentlemen who
are coucerntid with me are desirous of seeing you, but if haste
renders this out of the question, I will come to N. York as soon
as I know that you are there, of which I have requested my
brother to inform me immediately on your arrival. If you cannot
come to Boston and are in much haste you can select the goods
that you want when you please, and I have requested my brother
to assist you in this matter, I would prefer however that you
would not begin until I come but in this do as you please.
I am Yr. Obt. Servt. Nathl J Wyeth

CXXXI.

Cambridge Jany 6th 1834
Bro. Charles, Baltimore,

I write to say that I shall draw on you for
one Thousand dollars payable ist March.

The stock of our Co. willamt. to 40,000$ wh".ch makes even an }i a
full back load in these times and therefore if you have any more loose
cash, and wish to give it a good circulation you had better lend it to
me, however I have not a face to ask you a direct question of this
sort in these times, but only make the slight suggestion. But I
have provided to meet in some shape my obligations by becoming
indebted to the concern in case I cannot raise my share, but I
have great repugnance to resort to this measure.

Our vessell sails to morrow and in the course of the week I
shall go to N. York to meet Mr. Sublette in order to purchase
goods for our overland tiip. I think I shall be in N. York from
the 12 to the 20th inst.

154]

WYRTH'S OREGON KXPEDITIOXS.

In going out I shall pass through Baltimore but shall make lit-
tle stay. I am too buisy at present to write about family affairs
and have not even made up my journal of last trip in such form
as is suitable to leave. I do not know when I shall have time to
do any of these things, for in addition to my other concerns I
have those of Mr. Tudor to attend to for the winter.

I am yr. afte. Bro. N. J. \V.

CXXXII.

Boston Janv 4th 1834
Mr M Sublette (N York)

Dear Sir I have received a note from
my brother informing me of your having arrived in N. York. I
should come immediately to see you were it not that I have al-
ready written to urge your coming here and am afraid of passing
you on the road. When I have got your answer whether you will
come here or not I shall move to see you. In the meantime per-
mit me to suggest that there are great advantages to Ije derived
from an interview between yourself and the gentlemen who are
concerned with me in this undertaking, among the most impor-
tant of which is the establishing in your mind of a perfect confi-
dence that any contract that may be entered into with you or
your partners will be fulfilled. When you have arrived here you
will be able to satisfy yourself in this matter. Also it is
important that you make some arrangement tor sending home
your furs over and above those which you pay us for the goods
which we are to deliver to you. If you should wish to avail your-
self of the opportunity afforded by our vessell an agreement for
the same can be made here and also for transporting them to
the vessell. If it is possible to come to any agreement on these
subjects an insurance might be effected to cover the risk of
the sea on such amt. as might be shipped. Beside the above
reasons, there are many goods which can be purchased as well
and some better here than in N. York. The great difficult}^
which your concern has encountered and the enormous expence
in getting your supplies has induced me to suppose that you
would avail yourself of any opportunity which on reasonable
terms would obviate all the difficulties and much of the expense.
Such opportunity is now within your reach. By means of our
vessells employed in the salmon trade we can take out goods and
bring home furs to any extent to the Columbia. These goods
we can purchase cheaper than goods can be purchased to send
over the mountaitis because on some of them we get the draw-
back of the duties. The packing up from the Columbia is neither
difficult nor expensive, horses there are comparatively cheap and
in that country there is little danger consequently few men are re-
quired. These advantages we are willing to divide with you, in
order that by getting your goods on reasonable terms you may be

C( )RR KSPON DKN'C K:

['55

be had from the

you get from the

One other ad van-

able to monopolise in a great measure the trade of the mountains,
and thus, much enlarge the amt. of goods which you will take
from us. One other convenience of this route is that all your
men which are wanted for camp keepers could
islands these men would be better than those
States for such purposes and much cheaper,
tage to be derived from pursuing the buisness through this route
is that if you succeed in breaking up the other companies as you
certainly can do, when you get your goods so much cheaper you
will prevent the influx to [of?] small traders and others who by their
competition continually injure your buisness and spoil your men.
Should the above considerations strike your mind as thej-
do mine you will I have no doubt you will see of how
much importance it is that parties who in the course of
events may have such large engagements with each other
should meet and establish a mutual confidence which will
afterward faciliiate all buisness and in such case I shall ex-
pect to see you in Boston in the course of the week. I was in
liopes that you would be able to spend the winter with me and
go to St. lyouis together in the Spring, but if your buisness pre-
vents we will let you go after you have spent a week with us.

I am Yr &c N. J. \V.

To M. Sublette ICsq

CXXXIII.

Boston Jany ytli 1834

Mess. Samuel & More (Lil>erty)

Gent. Mr. Abbot will hand you
this. I send him for the purpose of taking care of the animals
which you may purchase, and for assisting you in the same under
your direction. I request that you will be extremely careful in
the purchase of animals and be sure to get none but what are
hardy and as many mules as possible. As to price I am in hopes
that having so much time to purchase in you will be
able to buy horses for $25 that are first rate working
animals and mules at 40$ but if you should not you
must give a little more. 75 mules are wanted and 25
horses and to this extent you are authorized to make pur-
chases. Some competent judge mu.st select these animals. Be-
fore this vou will have received the requisite assurance from
Mess Rockhill & Co.

In regard to Abbot I wish you to supply his absolute wants
until I come which will be about 20th April and nothing farther.
He is a little inclined to be extravagant and I do not wish to pay
for it.

If you have not yet made an absolute bargain in regard to the
saddles for which I wrote in my letter of 20th Dec. you can leave

^s6]

WYRTH'vS ORROON RXPKDITlONvS.

off the stirrups as they can be had cheaper here than with you,
but if already vou have made [a] contract do not alter it.

I am Yr. Obt. Servt. N. J. Wyeth

CXXXIV.

Boston Jany. 7th 1834
Mr. Wiggin Abbot

Sir You will proceed with all possible despatch
to Philadelphia, you will there call on Mess Grant & Stone and
request them to procure a duplicate of the letter which they re-
quested Mess. Thomas C. Rockhill & Co. to send to Mess Samuel &
More of Liberty iti behalf of Mess. Tucker & Williams of Boston.
With this Duplicate and the letter I have given you to Mess Sam-
ttel & More, you will proceed immediately to Liberty. When
arrived j'ou will deliver duplicate and letter, and act under Mess
S. and M. in procuring animals, and keeping those that are pur-
chased, taking good care that they are kept fat. Without interposing
in any direct manner with Mess S & M. I wish you to ascertain the
real cash value of horses and mules, and it would be well to let
them see that you take note of these things, this, not that I doubt
theii good faith, but they having much buisness on their hands may
l)e deceived as to the value of animals. Also if you think the an-
imals they purchase are unsuitable you will give them your opin-
ion, r have requested Mess S & M. to supply you with what
cash you may want for necessary expenses only but I am in hopes
the money with which you are supplied here will prevent any
considerable expenses on your ace. Your time will commence
on your arrival at Liberty, and what you spend on the road will
be charged to you, therefore keep an accurate ace. of the same.
You will be allowed $300 for the first years services, j'ou finding
youCr] own clothing. We do not agree to furnish any clothing
or other supplies between the settlements and the Columbia river.
At that place and during the year you will be charged 50 pr ct.
advance on what shall be sufficient for your own use. After the
first vear an agreement for farther services must be made.

Nathl. J. Wyeth.

(Added by Mr Abbot)

Having carefully examined the foregoing instructions from Mr
Nathl J Wyeth and having agreed with him to render my ser-
vices in conformity thereto I hereby acknowledge myself to be
entirely under his directions and do promise and obligate myself
to perform to the best of my ability all that may be required of
me by him and that I am entirely satisfied with the compensation
stipulated for as herein expressed, and the maimer in which I am
to receive the same.

Signd by Wuggin Abbot,

[The discrepancy in the spellings of Abbot's name occurs in the
copy.]

too

CORRESPONDRXCK:

C»57

« ,

f cxxxv.

Boston Nov. 23d 1833
Mr. Alfred Seat on.

Sir We will take your furs within one hun-
dred miles of Horse Creek of Green River and convey the same
to the Columbia and thence to Boston for thirty seven dollars and
fifty cents per pack of 100 lbs. We obligate ourselves to take the
usual care of these furs on both parts of the route, furs to be de-
livered to us during the month of July 1834. The risks that you
are to run includes that of our vessells going out to the Columbia.

I am Yr Obt. Servt Nathl J Wyeth

CXXXVI.

Boston Jany. 4th 1834
Bro. Chas. (Balto.)

I have mailed to you a package of printed paper
which please keep two daj-^ when if Mr. Abbot does not come to
take them of you please forward them to Mess Samuel & More of
Liberty Missouri in Clay county. Please give Abbot no money
should he apply to you for it as I have given him as much as I
wish to trust him with.

I am &c Nathl. J. Wyeth.

P. S. Pajiers will not come as above

CXXXVII.

i«34

Boston Jany 8th

Mess Samuel & More Liberty Missouri

Gent. Having written
you under date of Dec. 20th from N York and on 7th inst per Mr.
Abbot I now write to recapitulate, a^id to make sure that you re-
ceive the requisite instructions in case Abbot should be delayed from
any cause, viz purchase 75 mules and 24 horses with [as] much
dispatch as you can consistently with economy, place same un-
der some suitable man if Mr. Abbot does not come that they
may become w[o]nted to the band. Be careful to get serviceable
animals. If so many mules cannot be had you must make up in
horses. Also 35 common Spanish riding saddles without stirfr]ups
bridles or girths these I can get cheaper here. 6 of a little su-
perior kind but still not expensive for my own use and some
other gentlemen, also you cati be looking up 2 bulls and 8
cows for driving overland to stock a fort also one yoke of cattle
for provisions, fat for eating, and about 30 sheep. If the.se cattle
can be purchased at any time it had better be delayed until the
last of the purchases. Probably t may want a few more animals
than above ordered but this will do for the present.

I am Yr. Obt. Servt. Nathl. J. Wyeth.

r5S]

WYRTH'vS OREGON IvXPKDITFONvS.
To FIND LONGITUDK

lOl

To get Polar distance. . . Take declination of Sun from Nauti-
cal almanac for the date which we suppose to be nth Jany. 1834
which is 21 deg. 50 min. lysec. which correct for Long, from
Tab. 5 Bowditch deriving you[r] knowledge of Long, from the
last observation and dead reconing added.

Say, Sub.
Correct for time Say 3 Hours a. m. as

I min. 45 sec.
21 deg. 49[8?] min. 32 sec.

per Table 5 Bowditch which is -^ add i min, 07 sec.

21 deg. 50 min. 39 sec.
Add to 90 deg. to obtain polar distance 90 deg. 00 min. 00 sec.

Polar distance i r r deg. 50 min. 39 sec.

In making the above reconing with Capt. Laml>ert we added
instead of 90 deg. 90 deg. 50 min. 39 sec. which will make an er-
ror through [ou]t the whole calculation for we made polar distance
112 deg. 58 min. 18 sec. and this sum therefore I use hereafter
instead in deg. 50 min. 39 sec. which is the true distance.
After rejecting seconds which we always do if under 30 and add
if over

I St The Cronometer to be made to agree with Greenwich time
by adding or subtracting its rate as the case may be \

2d Take the Suns altitude, and it is best to do it when the Sun
is rising of [or?] falling the fastest, which read directly from the
quadrant and we will suppose it to be 68 deg. 10 min.

Which always divide by two 34 deg. 5 min.

To which if the Lower limb is taken always add 16 min.

On Land for refraction alwaj'^s subtract
Which will be the true altitude

Corrected altitude as above 34 deg. 20 min

Corrected Latt. which is got from

Last obs. and dead rec. 45 deg. 20 min

Polar distance from above

34 deg. 21 min.
I min.

34 deg. 20 min.

Add together
Which always divide by 2
which is

Subtract Suns altitude
Which is remainder

112 deg. 58 min.
192 deg. 38 min.

96 deg. 19 min.

34 deg. 20 min.
61 deg. 59 min.

100

CORK KSPON DENC K:

['59

In Taking out Log[a]rithms reject the index when it is lo.
Cor[r] ."Cted altitude as

above 34 deg. 20 min. (from Tab. 27)

Corrected Lat. as above 45 deg. 20 min. Secant of lyat. 08314

" Polar distance

as above 112 deg. 58 min. Co. Sec. pol. dis 03587

Add together* Halve 192 deg. 38 min.

Half 96 deg. 19 min. Co Sine Half

Subtract Suns alti Sum 9.04149

as above 34 deg. 20 min.

Remainder 61 deg. 59 min. Sine of remain-

der 9-94587

19.10637
9-55318

9 H 12 min. 32 sec.
8 min. 13 sec.

9 H 20 min. 45 sec .

16 H 5 min. 3 .sec.

9 H 20 min. 45 sec.
6 H 44 min. 18 sec.

Half of this sum
is

Log. 9-553^8 = in time to

Add equation of time from almanac as date

Mean time
Greenwich time, which ad[d] to 1 2 to make it

greater than Mean time ifnot so before
Which we will suppose to be 4 H 5

min. 3 sec.

from this subtract mean time

Which is the I^ongitude in time
Which by table 21 Bowditch is Longitude loi deg. 4 min. 30 sec

To FIND Lattitude
28th Jany 1833 observed
Index error

Half altitude
Suns Semi diameter

Refraction on Land
Subtract from 90 deg.

Suns declination for date
Latt.

Mess Samuel & More

48 deg

25 mm.
00

48 deg.
24 deg.

25 min.

12 min. 30 sec.

16 min. 16 sec.

24 deg. 28 min. 46 sec.

I min. 00 sec.

24 deg. 27 min. 46 sec.

90 deg. 00 min. 00 sec.

65 deg. 32 min. 14 sec.
18 deg. 10 min. 30 sec.

47 deg. 21 min. 44 sec.
CXXXVIII.

Boston Jany 12th 1834

Gent On the other side you have copy of
agreement, with a note on the back. Should you engage the 30

i6o)

WYKTH'vS ORKC.ON KXPRDTTTONS.

103

men named in my letter of the 20 ulto. 1 5 of them must agree
to this note, as it may be desirable to let Sublette have some of the
men when I reach the mountains. Mr. Sublette is now with me.
At his suggestion I request you to consider if men and animals
could not better be got in some of the lower counties than in
Jackson and Clay and if so you can make any suitable arrange-
ment for doing it. Endeavor principally to get French and mules
and make no advances until I come. Make no agreement with any
one that you think likely to back out or that you do not think a
good man. The french are generally much preferable.

1 desire that as soon as you receive this you would send weekly
to the care of Mess. Von Phul and McGill a statement of what
you have done, in order that when I arrive at St. Louis I may
know what you have done, and be able to make what purchases
or engagements [as] are wanted while I am coming up the coun-
try.

I shall probably be with you by the middle of April.

I am Yr. Obt. Servt. Nathl. J. Wyeth
CXXXIX.

Boston Jany 14th 1834

Bro Leond. N. York.

Mr Sublette requests me to ask you to in-
quire at the office for letters for him, and in case you find any
you can forward them to the care of Tucker & Williams. This
until the first day of Feb. after which time you can keep them
and he will get them when he comes.

I also wish you would inform me as soon as you can if there
are any red stronds or scarlet cloths to be had in N. York and on
what terms. If Mr Wm. L Sublette calls on you he can direct
his letters to his brother to Mess. T & W as above

I shall be with you about the 1 2 th Feb. next

And I rem Yr Obt Servt N. J. W.

CXIv.

Boston Janj' 15th 1834
Mr Thomas Nutall

Dear Sir I write to say that I shall pass
through Philadelphia sooner than I at first contemplated sa^^ 18
to 2 1 St Feby. and possibly shall leave St. Louis by the 20th March
and the upper settlements by the 20th of April. Should you not be
in Philadelphia when I pass you can join me on the route or at
St. Louis in which place you will hear of me at Mess. Von Phull
& McGills. If when you arrive at St. Louis I have gone you
will then find me at Mess. Samuel and Mores in Liberty Clay
County where I shall remain until the 20 certainly, perhaps
longer.

»♦

CORK KSI'ONDKXCrv:

[l6l

I:
1

Hoping I may have the pleasure of your company from Philad.
west, I remain ' Vr. Obt. Servt. Nathl. J. Wyeth.

CX1.I.

Cambridge Jany 25th 1H34
Saml. L. Dana Ksq. (Waltham)

Dear Sir Altho a stranger I have de-
sired to call on you to thank you for a piece of service >'ou
did me in your review of the Book of J no. \Vyeth,bv Benj Water-
house. It enhances the obligation that it was done for a stran-
ger, in his absence, and that it was so well done that the liar and
his pander were annihilated. Much buisness prevents my ac-
knowledging to you in person, but be assured that I shall take
with me to the prairies and forests a sense of the favor you have
conferred on me and those who feel an interest in me.

lam &c N. J. Wyeth.

CXUI.

'«34

Cambridge Jany. 26th
lirother Perry Newbury (Vermont)

Finding that it will l)e impos-
sible to visit you as contemplated before leaving these parts, I
write to say good bye, to you and j'ours. If you wish to write to
the Sandwich Islands, I will carry letters which I can send by our
vessell to their destination. I leave this place on the 7th Feb.
and should your letters reach here a little later they could be for-
warded to St. Louis. There is little to say at this moment more
than if good success attends me this time it will l>e long before I
shall return but if on the contrary' I meet with disasters, I shall
soon be back and probably be obliged to remain for want of
means to make a third trial. Mr Sublette is now with me which
is the reason of my leaving so much sooner than I expected. All
connections are well. Wife sends her love.

I am Yr Afte. Bro. Nathl J Wyeth

CXLIII.

i«34

Cambridge Jany 29th
Mr Hallett (Kditor of the Boston Dayly Advocate)

Dear Sir I have not been able to find the author of the piece
in your paper of 23rd Jany. 1833. I leave this for the westward
on the 7th Feb. and therefore can have no farther time to attend
to this matter. I have not the least doubt that could the author
of the communication be found he would give Jno. Wyeth as his
authority. Now as the Book of Jno Wyeth is at variance with
this communication it only remains to shew that Jno. Wyeth is
the author of both to shew that no credit is due to anything that
he stated. It will be some trouble to you perhaps to find the per-
son who sent the communication but I have confidence enough
in your disposition to see justice done, to ask you to do so, and ask

I62]

WYKTH'S ORF.CON IvXrKDITIONS.

108

him for his authority. If he gives Jno. Wyeth, I will then ask
you to compare the l)Ook with the communication and state in
your paper the diflFerence which you may find.

As I conceive, you have inadverently done me an injure'. It is
in your power to do me a favor that will more than compensate.
I ask no more than truth and justice and I have no doubt that
von will incur a little trouble to render it.

I am Yr. Obt. vServt Nathl. J. Wyeth.

CXLIV.

Cambridj2;e Jany. 31th 18.34
Cousin Noah (Hingham)

Yours of 28 inst. is received. I leave
this on 7th Feb. but cannot take books across the continent 4000
miles the risk and transportation would be five times their value.
Our vessell for this year has gone but one will go yearly by which
any thing may be sent that his friends wish. Articles to be sent
to Mr Ball should be left with Mess Tucker & Williams Central
Wharf Boston. If his friends [wish! to send letters I will take
charge of them with great pleasure and he will get them in
Sept. next.

I should have notified Mr Balls friends of this opportunity but
I did not know where to find them. If the person you mention
will inform them I will be obliged to him. L,etters for him may be
sent to the care of Mess T. & R or Chas. Wyeth Baltimore who
will forward them to me at St. Louis until the loth day of March
next after which time they cannot overtake me as I shall leave
the western settlements about the middle of April next.

Respy Yrs. N. J. Wyeth

CXIA'.

Boston F'eb. 3d 1S34
Bro Charles

My Indian boys are on board the Hem.[?] Bg. Nitor
bound for your place. I wish you would watch and on their
arrival place them at some suitable place to board see that their
washing is done &c until I come. Buy for them what clothing
they stand in immediate need of and pay $20 for their passage.

I leave this on the 7th inst and shall tarr>' for a few days in N.
York to buy goods and be in Balto. about the 15th inst.
In the mean time I am Yrs. N. J. W.

CXLVI.

Boston Feb. 23d[?] 1834
Mr Wm L. Sublette X. York,

Dear Sir Your fav. of 30tli ulto. is
at hand. Your brother is here and we leave in coMpanj' for New
York on the 7th inst v/here we shall remain about 5 days then to
Philad. there remain 2 or 3 more then to Baltimore there re-

toft

CORRIvSPONDrvNTr:.-

fr6.?

main 2 more. If I do not see you l)erore please leave word with
ray brother in Baltimore where you can be found, as I am anx-
ious to be ill company on the route westward. I place little re-
liance on any information or on any reports through the Am. I*'
Co. especially by Doct. Harrisons hands. There may have some
small disaster happened and a small one it must I* to arat. to no
more than ^ycxio when it reached vSt. Louis through such hands.
Vou well know the great pains taken by rival companies in the
mountains to discredit their opponents. My l>rother of N. York
informed me some time since that a draft drawn by Ablx)t on M.
( I. Sublette chargeable to me was shewn him, which having no
instructions he refused to pay. This is all the information I have
received of this draft. I presume it is [for] supplies for Ablwt on
his passage down. If so for any reasonable amt. I shall pay it
when I see you. I regret that you did not forward it to me with
the account or whatever else it is founded on. Abbot never noti-
fied me that he had drawn such a draft. Had the buisness been
properly done I should have avoided having it said that a draft
on me had l>een returned unpaid. I shall caU on Mess (Mil Cam-
liel & Co. if I do not see you in N. York, but if you could possi-
bly wait my arrival in N. York it would af[ fjord me much pleasure.
I should urge your coming to Hoston were it not so late. If you
think of going to Washington I would like to keep comfxinv.
'l am Yr Obt. vServt Xathl. J. Wyeth

V. vS. Miltons foot is I think a little batter.

CXIA'II.

Bo.ston Feb 4th 1834
Thomas Nnttall J^sq. I'hilad.

Dear Sir Your esteemed Fav. of 30th ulto is at hand.

I leave this on the 7th inst. and may l>e in Philad by the i6th,
Init probably not until 18th or 20th and by the time we can reach
the Ohio, I think ^^ will be open. I am pleased that there will
be one more added to our society. As he will probably have no
.servant I would not recommend to him to take many goods. His
.stock of clothing would I should think lie all that he will require.
I should advise him to take three mules but three horses or two
mules would do. What little clothing he may want in the coun-
try he shall have on such terms that he will have no reason to
complain. I do not see that he need provide anything before
reaching St. Louis more than he has unless he carrys implevients
of sciejice.

I will deliver the message to Mr. Brown. I have engaged Capt.
Thwing* who is well versed in taking observations to accompany
the expedition and have provided suitable implements. Can you
get some cherr^', peach, apple, pear, apricot, plumb, and nectar-

*The author spells the name of his Captain with a "w" this first time.

i64]

WVKTH'S ORKr.ON I-XPFDITIONS.

ine stones to take with us? Mr. Sublette is now with me and will
conic on in company.

■ Resply Yr. Oht. vServt. N. J. W'yeth.

CXIA'III.

Hoston I'cl) 5th 1M34
Mr Joseph Thinp

Sir The followiufif l>nisness re(|uires to he at-
tended to before you leave Boston, viz

Ship to Haltimore to Mess. Wyeth cS: Norris

7 tetits and 45 oil covers, which find at Hell & Cowlevs

Indian Rubber Boat Tucker & Williams

Two Travelingf Cases " " " B. C. Weld Camb.

100 Beaver Traps " " " Brainerds.

Also brinpf on with you a memnrandum of all the bills Charged
by Tucker & Williams to the overland expedition in order that I
may have with me the means of knowing at any time the arat.
invested in this part of the buisness. At N^. York and Baltimore
of the gentlemen to whom I give you letters you will obtain far-
ther advices from me provided von do not find me with them.

'& N. J. W.

CXMX.

Boston Feb. 5th 1H34
Bro Chas.

The bearer is Capt. Jos. Thing who goes out with me
as the second in command. Whatever buisness I leave with you
relating to this expedition or any letters to me you will please
hand over to him, and shew him such attention as may be in
vour power and oblige

yr. Afte. Bro. X. J. Wyeth

Thursday evening P*eb 4th t'S34 Boston.
Mess. Tucker & Williams Boston

Gent

I do not think the traps
will be according to sample therefore it will be requisite to ex-
amine them carefully and compare them with thepat[t]ern, which
is in Brainerds possession. They should be equally well finished
with the pat[t]ern and by contract are to be set for one week and
then rejected if the springs do not come up fair or are broken. I
have agreed, if he would have all of them finished by the 7th Feb.
to give him $15 over and above the contract. If Brainerd will
not agree to have them set on board the Packett and take back
all that do not prove good on their arrival in Baltimore, it will be
requisite to retain them in Boston one week in order to tr>' them
by setting at th'* end of which time, if the springs are unbroken
and come up fair and they are as well finished as the sample he

IO.S

CORRRvSPOXDRXCK:

[165

will be entitled to $165 for one Hundred traps, this provided they
are delivered to you on the 7 inst. but if delivered after that time
he is only entitled to 1 50$

I am Vv. Obt. Servt. Nathl. J. Wyeth.
CU.

Providence Feb 4th 1834
J no Pickering Esq.

Dear Sir

Your favor of Feb 4th reached me
only last evening consequently I could not call on you as request-
ed. It is not in my power to answer the queries contained in
your letter from memory but I will preserve the vocabulary
which you sent and endeavour to give the information desired at
some future time. Probably I will write to you again before
leaving the States and after rejoining the Indians, but if I should
not do this I will on the first occasion wTite you from beyond the
mountains.

If you wish to write me on these subjects your letters
will reach me by being left at Mess. Tucker & Williams on
Central Wharf, both before I leave the States and afterward, and
l)e assured that it would afford me much pleasure to give any in-
formation in my power.

lam &c X.J. W.
To Jno. Pickering Ksq.

[A letter to F. Tudor Esq., Boston, written Feb. 7th, from Provi-
dence is omitted. It is devoted exclusively to explanations of
suggested improvements it. the process of harvesting ice.l

a- '

New York Feb loth 1834
Mess. Tucker & WiUiams (Boston)

Gent Your letter of the 9th inst. was received today containing let-
ter and copy of letter froia Mess. Samuel & More. The copy is
in answer to one of mine of Dec. 4th 1833 and the letter was
written about the same time and contains nothing important. An
auswer to all that is contained in these two letters is in letters
which I wrote to these two gentlemen on the 20th Dec. and
Jany yth 8th and 12th last which they appear not to have re-
ceived at the dat of their writing. A copy of these letters I
would forw^ard to you but have not time to write them off.

I hope you will see that the traps are good. His engagement
was to have them done by the 7th. I do not know if he is
bound to notify you of their being done. It is important to get
ihem as soon as possible.

i66]

WYKTH'S OREGON RXPEniTIONS,

109

I shall write you as often as anything transpires of interest and
in the meantime hope that you are not aflfected by the late
failures.

Will you have the goodnees to send me amt. of the
balance to my Cr. on your books in your next as I wish to enter
it against you in my new books and have mislaid the ace. which
you rendered.

I am &c N. J. W.

Wra. I^. Sublette Esq.

CUll.

>j. York Feb. loth 1834

Philad

Dear Sir I arrived here in co with
Milton yesterday Mng. and was disappointed in not finding you
here, and write to say that we shall probably be in Philad. by
the 1 6th and there hope to see you.

I am &c N. J. W

CLIV.

N. York Feb nth 1834

Mess Thomas C. Rockhill & Co. (Philad)

' Gent I have notice[d] that Mr Samuel of the firm of Samuel &
More of Libertv Missouri left for your city on the 6th of Jany. 1
am ver>' desirous of seeing him. Will you have the goodness to
inform him that I shall remain here until the i6th inst. and
then come to Philadelphia, provided you know where he is

And oblige Yr. Obt. Servt. N. J. Wyeth
' ci^v. •■

N York Feb nth 1834

Bro Charles (Balto)

I have your fav. of the loth of Jany last.
I leave this on the i6th and remain but one day in Philadelphia
and then to your city and hope to see you once more.

Yr. Afte. Bro. N. J. W.

CLVI.

New York Feb nth 1834

Mess Tucker & Williams Boston

C^nt Finding that there would be
some cash bills to be paid here I have thi? day drawn on you at
srghtfor6oo$ No I, which will probably be all this side the
Aleeanies at less time than six months.

^ I am &c N. J. Wyeth

CORRKvSPONDENCK:

[»67

!-.:

ChVll.

N.York Feb 1 2th 1833 [4]
Mess Tucker & Williams Boston

Gent Herewith you have duplicate of
my letter of yesterday and copy of letter to Samuel & More
which last will give you a view of the present state of affairs
with them.

I am &c N. J. Wyeth.

CLVIII.

New York Feb 12th 1834
Wm. Tv. Sublette Esq. (Philad)

Dear Sir Yours of the 6th inst was re-
ceive ' Sy way of Boston today An answer to its contents has
alreau^ been sent you and I presume you have received it liefore
this. I only write to say that Milton leaves this in the morning
for your city and I shall be there by the 16 and will expect to
find you at Gill Campbell & Co.

I am &c N. J. Wyeth.
CUX.

New York Feb 12 th 1S34

Mess Tucker & Williams (Boston)

Gent Your fav. of 10th inst is at hand.
If the Black smith will not consent to the traps being sent to
Baltimore and abide the result on their examination there they
must be tried by setting one week in Boston and as soon there-
after as possible have them forw^arded to Mess Wyeth & Norris.
If sent by the 24th inst I shou[l]d get them in season but I would
take none after the 20th including time of tr>'al. I note what
you say as to residue of goods and of Capt Thing.

In regard to drafts from the mountains they caiuiot be made
on Samuel & More but must be made on some first rate house in
St. Louis or on the bank as arranged.

In regard to the $6000 which I am to draw on you for from
St. Louis I may make an arrangement with Samuel & More for a
part, but I have not yet seen him and do not know where to find
him, but have written to Philadelphia, but at the same time I
would not like to make an arrangement with him for the whole.
I request that you will immediately furnish me with a credit in
in St. Louis of at least 3000$. If Thomas C. Rockhill & Co
would accept my drafts there would be no trouble at least I think
so, or if you would make yourselves known to Mess Von PhuU
& Mc Gill of St Louis I think that would answer, but I can not pick up
horses cheap without cash in hand nor can I wait until I get to
Liberty to get it, for I must make some purchases before. As I

I68]

WYRTH'S OREGON EXPEDITIONvS.

leave this 2 days hence and then make haste westward you must
be aware that there is not a moment to loose in this matter.

I am yr obt Servt N. J. Wyeth.
P. S. Your next please address to the care of Mess Grant & Stone
Philad.

[The following is wi.tten across the above letter: Do not omit
to have all the chains sent whether the traps are or not.]
[A letter to Frederic Tudor, Esq., Boston, dated "N. York Feb
121834;' is omitted. Uke that of the 7th inst. to Mr. Tudor
it contains only suggestions pertaining to the management of the
"ice business." Mr. Wyeth closes the letter by saying, "Excuse
the liberty I take in these matters I cannot forget the habit of
thinking that I have still something to do with ice"]

CLX.

New York Feb 15th 1834
Bro Jacob. (Galena)

I leave this place on my way west on the 15th
inst. and shall be in St. Louis from the 5th to the loth
[of] April and would be much pleased to see you there. The ur-
gency of my buisness prevents my coming to see you, otherwise I
would do so, I have in charge for you some books which I shall
send from St. Louis to you if I do not see you there.

I am Yr. Afte. Bro. N J Wyeth
CLXI.

N York Feb 14th 1834
Rev Jason Lee. (Baltimore)

Dear Sir. I have received your fav. of
nth inst in answer to which say that I leave this city to mor-
row morning and proceed directly west and remain but five or six
days at St. Louis. You will hear of me in St. Louis by calling
on Mess Von Phull & McGill.

I think I received and answered a line from some one in west-
ern Mass, but am not certahi.

&c &c N. J. W.
CLXII.

New York Feb. 14th 1834
Mess. Tucker & Williams (Boston)

Gent On the other side you have
a list of drafts drawn on you up to this date also a list of bills
paid. I am obliged to keep the originals as vouchers in making
up the invoices for Sublette. I shall forward them from the up-
per settlements by private hand and in the mean time shall con-
tinue to forward only lists of bills.

The good[s] from this place I shall ship to Baltimore by sea, be-
ing cheaper and will be in time. Enclosed ^-ou have all the ma-
terials for invoicing if you deem expedient.' If you write me as

112

CORR KSPON DRXC K:

[r69

early as the i6th you can direct to the care of Mess Wyeth &
Norris Baltimore but if later and until the i8th to the care of
Josiah Lawrence & Co. Cincinati, after which time to the care
of Mess Von Phull & McGill St. Louis and they will fon\'ard the
letters to me wherever I may be at the time.

I am yr. obt. Servt. N. J. W.
(Enclosing bill oflading,and drafts drawn to date and bills paid.)

VIZ.

No. 1 Feb nth fav. of Cripps & Wyeth

5
6

sight

" F. Gebard 6 monthri

" R. H. Osgood & Co 8 months

" F. B. Rhodes
" Robbins & Painter
" Sindam & Jackson
" Wolf & Clark

Bills paid

Feb. 13 Jno H. Albee

"' '' Smith &

" " N. H. Weeld & Co
" " Girding & Siemon

No.

6 months
6 months
6 months
6 months

2
3

'■ " Piatt Stout & Ingoldsby

" " Hide Hitchcock & Greenman " 7

" " Baily Ward & Co. " 8

" " W. &. E Clark " 9

" " Stryker & Smith " 10

" " R. H. Osgood & Co. " 11

" '' E. D. Sprague & Co. *' 12

" " E. J. & E. White " 13

N. J. W.

[The following is written across the face of the above letter]

P. S. Out of the 2543.59 deduct, not shipped by the Othello

20 rifles 200.00

2 spades 1.75

30 doz.Scalping knivesC?] 41.25

600.
149.85

253-
388. oS

484.92

571-75
484.65

8.87

5.85
13.50
17.37
»7-58
3.38
3.00

11.50
61.09
18.86
253.00
11.94
39.00

243.00 or

$2300.59 to be invoiced

Bill to F. B. Rhodes

No 14

$388.08

" " F. Gebard

" 15

149.85

" '• Robbins & Painter

" 16

484.92

•' •' Sindam & Jackson

" 17

571.75

" " Wolf & Clark

" i8

484.65

»7o]

WYRTH'S OREGON KXPRDITIONS.
CLXIII.

^ T ^, . ^- ^^^^ Peb 14th 1834

Capt Jos Thing (piesent)

„_,,„,„ Sir You will please call on Mess. Wolf

& Llark Pearl St. and ascertain if they have shipped to Mess
Wyeth & Norris Baltimore some Rifles and Indian Knives for me
and if so you will bring on with you the bills lading but if they
have not you will bring these goods with you by the boats and
railroads provided this route is open but if it is not you will have
to ship them which do by the first vessell.

This is all that occurs to my mind now. You will attend to
any suggestion which Mess. Cripps & Wyeth may give in relation
to this buisness, and oblige yrs &c N. J. W.

P. S. There are at Wolf & Qarks 20 rifles, 2 spades, and -to
doz scalping knives. .

CI.XIV.

_ _ Philadelphia Feb 1 8th i8u

Capt Thing '^^

Dear Sir Having found the cloths which I wanted in
this place, it becomes expedient to have the goods still in N.York
forwarded as soon as possible, therefore please bring them on by
the Boats and Rail Road as soon as you can get them.

Yrs &c N J Wyeth

CLXV. '

Bro.

Philadelphia Feb 18th 18-14
L[e]ond '^^

I have found in this place the Scarlett Cloths which
I wanted, will you have the goodness to inform Mr. Stewart that
he need not buy any on our ace.

Please forward any letters that may come to you for me on or be-
fore the 19th inst. to care of Charles Balto.

And believe me yr. afte. Bro.

Nathl. J. Wyeth

CLXVI.

Philadelphia Feb. i8th 1814
Bro. I.[e]ond. (N. York)

Herewith I introduce to your acquaintance Mr. E. M. Samuel
of Liberty Missouri. I have received from him the utmost kind-
ness and attention when it was particularly acceptable. Anyatten-
tention that you shew him will much oblige me.

I hope you are by this much better than when I left vou and
am anxious to get a letter from you informing me of the state of
your health.

Yr Afte. Bro. X. J. Wyeth

114

CORRESPONHRNCR:

[171

!'■

CI.XVII.

Philadelphia Feb. i8th 1S34
Mess Tucker & Williams (Boston)

Gent I have seen Mr. Samuel. He assures me that the buis-
ness of purchasing mules and horses is going on as fastas economy will
permit and thinks we will have no difficulty as to men or animals.

I do not feel like trusting to any particular house at the west-
ward for funds, inasmuch as by possibility they might not be
able to give me the amt. of cash that I might want. The amt.
disbursed by you in Boston with what I have already drawn for
is about $3900 and possibly here or at Cincinati I may draw for 600$
more and $2000 which you arranged for through Rockhill & Co.
This will leave of the original sum of $16000 $9500 of which amt.
5500$ [are reserved] to meet my drafts from the mountains [pay-
ment] must be made through the bank as arranged.

I have procured from Mess Grant & Stone letters of credit
backed by one from Mess T. C. Rockhill & Co. and you will
please forward to Mess Grant & Stone authority to draw on you
for 4000$ at sight whenever they have paid my drafts to that or a
less amount. Also please forv ird the letters of credit from the
Cashier of the Branch in Boston to the Cashier of the Branch in
St. lyouis to the care of Mess Von PhuU & McGill.

Herewith you have notice of bill drawn on you from this
place and also bills paid here also duplicate list of bills drawn on
you from N. York as per my letter of 14th inst.

I leave for Baltimore at 7 in the morning and Remain,

Yr. Obt. Servt. X. J. Wyeth.

CI^XVIII.

1834

Philadelphia Feb iSth
Mess Grant & Stone

Gent Since seeing you it has occured to my mind to request
you to forward letters if any should come for me to the care of
Mess. Wyeth & Norris of Baltimore. Also to say that my first
draft on you will be No. 10, and follow in regular series till
the amt. is completed.

I am Yr Obt. Ser\'t N. J. W.

CIvXIX.

Philad. Feb i8th 1834
Capt Thing,

Dear Sir I write merely to say that there is noth-
ing for you to attend to in this place except to call on Geo. W.
Carpenter Druggist Markett St. and see Mr. Nuttall and let him
know that you are going on, he wishes to keep company with
you.

Yr &c N. J. Wyeth.

WYRTirS ORRGON KXPRDITIONS.

CI^XX.

Balto. Feb 20th 18-14
Col. E. W. Metcalf Boston

Dear Sir Your esteemed fav. of 8th inst.
reached me on my arrival here last night. In regard to the sub-
ject of it I think you have a right to suspect almost any thing
(from that quarter) but I assure you that I have no knowledge
in regard to it. I am well aware that what you state in regard
to the contract was common report at the time but I have not the
slightest idea of what prevented its going into effect.

I desire you would believe that there is no desire on ray part
to withold information on this or any other subject and should be
at all times pleased to correspond with you.

Respy. Yr Obt vServt. N. J. Wyeth.

CIvXXi.

1834

Balto. Feb. 20th
Mrs Deborah Powers (Xansingburg New Troy N Y.)

Madam Your fav. I have received, and most gladly com-
municate the information you desire. Please direct your letter to
the care of Mess von PhuU and McGill of St Louis to reach there
by the 15th April. I have frequently endeavored to find the
directions of Mr Balls friends but had not succeeded.

You may be assured that your brother shall want nothing that
I can supply on my arrival out. I will make some enquiries
about the Box which you speak of.

And Remain Yr Obt. X. J. Wyeth
ClvXXll.

Baltimore Feb. 21st 18-14
Capt Thing Balto.

Dear Sir I leave here bills lading for Two Cases
goods for Wm. G. Sublette, also Bills lading for goods from Phil-
delphia also Bills lading of goods from N. York and the Bills
lading sent by you from N. York. In addition to these goods
you will have those from Boston of which I presume you have
the bills laditig, as they have not been sent me. On the receipt
oi all these goods you will have the Cases &c overhauled and
made strong and put them on board the wagons for Wheeling or
Pitsburgh taking receipt for the same in the usual manner. Have
its weight marked on each box, in order that there may be no
need of weighing more than once. If by the time you have- done
this the traps have not come, you will leave them behind, in which
case I have left directions with Mess Wyeth and Norris to take
care of them. All charges incurred of the Two Cases of Wm. O.
Sublette you will keep separate. Pay all bills here and take and
preserve all the bills and bring them on.

ii6

CORRKSPON OKNX' K.

['73

I leave here $150 for you which I have charged to you. You
will call on Mess. Josiah Lawrence & Co. of Cincinati where I
will leave a line for you

[No signature.]
P. S. You will manage the reshipping the goods when it is
requisite. You will find here 2 cases marked S. 16 and 17 and a
barrel [marked] S Xo 18.

Cl.XXIlI.

[No date.]
Mr Bradenburgh [?]

Dear Sir You will oblige nie by seeing that 2 cases
goods for Sublette and Campbell and one for me per the Union
line from Phila. are brought to the stoie also if goods from Bos-
ton or N. York should arrive liefore Capt Thing comes have them
brought to the store. All these goods are to be sent to Wheeling
or Pitsburgh and you will oblige me by putting Capt. Thing in
the way of doing this in the best maimer and advise him as to the
suitableness of the cases. Expenses to be paid by Capt Thing.

Should any goods come after Capt Thing leaves this you will
oblige me by forwarding them to Von PhuU & McCiili St. Louis
in the best manner. Some traps are the only [things] which I
now expect will be too late for Capt Thing anct the expenses on
these Mess Wyeth & Norris will pay and and collect th«? same of
Mess. Tucker & Williams of Boston. Please address me to the
care of Mess Von PhuU & Mc Gill of St. Louis.

There is here a package of letters for Wm. G. Sublette also the
two cases goods which please deliver [to] him. You will find
him at Bells House[?] on Saturday or Monday. If he wishes
the goods can come on with Capt. Thing.

All letters for me vou will please forward to the care of Mess.
Von PhuU & McGill St. Louis and if Bills of lading are wanted
for the goods from Boston vou open letters for me to find them.

N. J. W

CI^XXIV.

Baltimore Feb. 21st 1834
Mess. Tucker & Williams Boston

Gent. Herewith you have duplicate notice
of draft drawn on you from Philad. and notice of draflt] from
this place, and list of Bills paid here. I have lef[t] with Wyeth &
Norris $150 to the Cr. of Capt Thing for the payt. of freight of
goods out.

List of Bills paid here

No. 21, W^yeth & Norris 35. 18

" 22, Thomas Tyson 35.93

" 23, Densmore & Kyle 69.78

Duplicate notice draf[t] as per letter of Feb. i8th from Philad.

'741

WYKTH'.S ORKOON KXPRniTIONS.

117

viz Liter Price & Co 6 months, 230.18. Draft Drawn from this
place Feb. 20th fav. of Mess. ,Wyeth & Norris $300.00 at sight.

I am to leave this to morrow morning therefore in [the] future
please address all vour letters to the care of Mess Von PhuU &
McOill of St Louis. '

I am yr obt. Servt. N.J. Wyeth

CI.XXV.

Baltimore Feb 22nd 1S34
Capt Thing (Baltimore)

Dear Sir .Since mine of yesterday it has
occurred to me that it would be well to tr>' an observation with
oar instrument during the time that you will be waiting for the
goods, this in order to see that you have all the requisites and
such as are suitable. If you find any thing deficient you will pur-
chase it here if possible. The sextant had better cross the mount-
ains in your trunk if you can find the room. You will examine
the two cases carefully and see that all is tight. The bbl. of Rum
at Wyeth & Norris will require to be carefully examined to see
if it is tight and the Boxes should be hooped.

If you find that there is not enough money left for you you
will obtahi more by shewing that more is requisite of Wyeth &
Norris.

I am Yr. Obt. Servt. N. J. Wyeth

CI.XXVI.

Pitsburg March [Feb.] 26th 1834
Capt Thing

Dear Sir Since writing you at Baltimore it has oc-
curred to me that some medicines for the clap and pox may be
wanted the men often contract these di-sorders before they leave
the settlements and unless there are some remedy's the conse-
quences are bad often inducing the men to desert in order to obtain
relief. They should be of small bulk and little cost, and please
get them at the first place that you can find them. Of these
medicines we have plenty on the Brig and probably very few
cases will occurs tefore we reach her.

I am Yr. Obt. Servt. Nath. J. Wyeth

CLXXVII.

1834

Pitsburgh Feb 26th
Dear Wife (Camb.)

Since leaving home have had good luck enough
to get so far and being detained here one day have time
to write you. About the time this reaches you it will be time to
get the things about the house in order. Please send my comp-
liments to Mr. Weld and request him to see to it the small trees
must be dug round except those set out last fall. Have them all
trimmed but tak[e] off only dead branches. Have the the fences

I IS

CORRICSPONDKNCI'::

['75

ri}i;htecl up and all things made decent, in order that when I
send any friend to you you may \ye able to receive him.

Give my love to all friends and excuse this short letter. I
have many to write and am unused to writing to ladys any way.

Yr afte Husband N.J. \V.
CI.XXVIII.

Pittsburgh Feb. 26th 1S34

I' Tudor Esq. (Boston)

Sir Your fav. of 17 inst. came to hand at
Baltimore. The very flattering and liberal expressions used in it
demand an acknowledgement. I am quite well aware of the
value of testimonials from such a source and persuaded that I owe
to similar ones the power to proceed in an enterprise which you
are pleased to say has disappointed soms of your expactations.

It affords me much pleasure to hear that the ice buisness is
like to assume an importance worthy of the perseverance and
talent bestowed on it for so many years. If true satisfaction is to
be found it must be I think in the success of ones plans against
the current of the worlds opinions and the ridicule of fools. I do
not doubt that the extended ideas which you take of the buisness
are sound and the belief affords me gratification unalloyed except
by a fear that I shall have no part in the excitement of the strife
or the glory of victory.

While you are successfull in N. Orleans these oppositions in
Charleston are not of so much account, and up to the time that I
left circumstances to me indicated an unexampled success in these
but other pCllaces aside i am persuaded that experience enables
you to manage an opposition to perfection.

In regard co my returning to the ice buisness I can only say
that "lam pledged" to the buisness I am in, as long as those con-
cerned in it csiTTy it on in the right spirit but I will not suffer
small and parsimonious views, in others, to ruin me past redemption,
or consume my time and prevent me from availing of a great op-
portunity. I consider the buisness I am r.ow in as of sure result
but will not yield adequate returriS until the third year. In the
mean time if those concerned fail in confidence or preseverance
all is ruin and I shall not agai.i essay to trouble the waters of
these seas. Having engaged good fait[h] impels me to leave noth-
ing undone to make this thing successfull and if so to pursue it
for the benefit of all, but if they put this out of my power and you
are inclined I shall then return on the best terms I can to the ice
buisness.

I shall write you at all opportunities and next from the
rendezvous in the Rocky mountains when I will give you any in-
dication that may then appear as regards the probable result of
this buisness.

T761

WYKTH'vS ORK(;ON EXPKDITIONS.

I note the kiuu wishes at the end of your letter if mine in re-
turn are an equivalent you have plenty of them and be assured
sincere. I am vr. obt. Servt.

Nathl J Wyeth.

CLXXIX.

Pit.;burgh Feb 26th 1S34
Mess Tucker & Williams (Boston)

Gent Some conversation while
on my route hither and a previous acquaintance has induced me
to give letters of introduction to Mr. Ira Smith of St. Louis direct-
ed to you. He thinks of visiting Boston on his return from Santa
Fee and if so he will present them at that time and also to com-
municate to you the following ideas. The present letter on this
subject is only intended to call your attention [to the matter] in
order that you may collect what information you can in regard to
it, and if such examination is favorable to the project and after
those in hand now have been made to pay and leisure afforded to
establish new sources of profit then to take hold of it. The fol-
lowing statement is my view of the Santa Fee buisness, derived
however from superficial observation, viz
First cost of goods carried to St Fee and duties paid

the Mexican Government $100,000

Outfits and expenses on same 50,000

Profits and interest in the States between the importer

and the St Fee Trade 25,000

Returns made from St. Fee in Specie and Beaver
Profits remaining to the St. F'ee Traders

$175000
$200000
$ 25000

This is I presume about the result of the trade. The goods
are carried to St Fee by about 30 distinct traders in about 75
wagons. The largest trader has rarely more than 1 2 wagons.
More than one half of these people are farmers and buy their
goods on 1 2 months, and often mortgage their farms and conse-
quently are obliged to make returns the same year, and will not
follow the trade more than one year with bad success under any
circa instances and certainly not when you consider that unless
there is a sufficient company it is not possible to go through on
the Sta Fee route. The idea that I have is this (when we are
read)- to make such large investments) take $50000 first cost of
goods to the mouth of the Columbia with say $5000 in silver to
pay the duties transport them up country and encamp there
near Sta Fee and enter only to the amt. of 5000$ duties from the
sale of these goods get the means to enter the residue. The
mildness of the climate west of the mountains will enable to bring
these goods to Santa Fee two months earlier than the St. Louis
traders will come during which time con.siderable sales will be

[2()

C()RKi:si'()N'r)f<;xci<::

h77

f^:i

made wlicu ihey come put the goods down so that tliey must loose
iit the same time buy them out so that they will loose a little.
They must return in alx)ut 2 months, after which time and dur-
ing; the rest of the year goods will resume their accustomed prices.
The sales of the first year will probably be one half consumed in
])urchases made. I do not believe that a company could be got to
go from »St Louis the next year if so a very small one and
must 1)2 treated the same as the first after which time I think it
is a matter of absolute certainty that we should get the whole
trade. I have not made the re(inisite enquiries but do not
calculate on any saving of distances by taking the goods from the
Columbia but only of duties merch[an]ts profits in States and
animals and in transporting to which there will be an ofFsett of in-
terest. 1 think that after the 3d year one third of all the re-
turjis of the trade might l^e profit. The route from the Columbia to
Santa Fee is the same in part as to the mountains and the returns
such as would not interfere materially with the cargo of vSalmon
being entirely Beaver and specie.

Mr. Smith is Brother of the vSmith killed on the Sta Fee route
in 1829. He bears an excellent reputation here and thinks he
would put $10000 into such a buisness. He has bee» 'wo years in
this trade and is the largest Dealer in it. If anything "ild be done
it would require another partner in the Indian c ..y, and I
presume no better person could be found. I object however to
any further proceeding in this matter other than collecting
infomation until what we have now in hand has proved itself
which will be about three years then if successfuU and it be found
expedient, I am for it. In the mean time let us blow the coals,
that the fire in Smiths mind may not go out. It is a buisness
that he opened to me and I think that he may be kept in tow
until we are ready to say yes or no.

I am desirou.; to get the Hudsons Bay Cos. public sales in Lon-
don and all other information touching furs that can be obtained
which please forward by next vessell

I am yr. obt. Servt. N. J. W.
CLXXX.

Wheeling Feb 27th rS34
Mr. Jno. Bradenburgh [?] Baltimore

Dear Sir There is a package of letters for
Mr. Wm. L. Sublette at the store which please have forwarded to
the care of Mess A. and G. W. Can & Co St Louis. The
Goods which belong to Mr. Wm. G.* Sublette you will please
have forwarded with mine
&c N. J. W.

*The second initial of Wm. vSublette's name was uniformly written as "G"
in the letter book. A reviser has however written an "1," over the "G" in
almost every instance. The "L" has alone been given wherever it thus
occurs.

1781

WVKTH'S ORHr.ON ICXI'KDITIOXS.
CI.XXXl.

Cinoiiiati I'eh 2Sth iS33[4]

itl

Capt Thing Present,

Dear Sir I leave here no buisness for you to
attend to but wish you would call at the I'ost Office in Louisville
where if I purchase any thing I shall leave a letter for you.
Should you be in want of money here you will obtain it of Mess.
Josiah lyawrence & Co,

I am Yr obt vServt. N J Wyeth

CI,XXXII.

Cincinati March ist 1H34.
Mess Tucker & Williams Boston

Gent Yours of i8th ulto. received
here. What you say of the traps is good. I presume that you
have rec[e]ived notice before this that Capt. Thing joined me in
N.York, and of the arrangement I made in regard to drafts from
St Louis. From this place I drew on you for $300 in fav. of
Lawrence & Co sight. I purchase no goods here Sublette pre-
ferring to buy his Powd< r in St. Louis which is better for us.
$165 of this money goes to pay a draft which Abbot drew on
rae in fav. of Mr. Sublette of which I had no notice until lately
and did not j ustly owe but choose to pay to save discredit. After
I have finished spending I shall endeavour to forward means by
which you will be in funds to the extent of my deficiency so far
as I shall then know it but am afraid that if money continues as
present in Boston I shall not be able to come quite up to the
mark.

Duplicate notice

Draft fav. of Mess. Wyeth & Norris [at] sight for $300.00
Feb. 20th 1834

N. J. W.

CI.XXXIII.

Cincinnati March ist 1834
Mess Grant & Stone Philad.

Gent I write only to inform j'ou that my
first draft will be from St Louis No 1 1 having since I wrote you
had occasion to draw one draft more on Boston than I expected
And remain yr obt Servt N J W

CLXXXIV.

Louisville March 3d 1834
Mess Allison and Anderson Louisville

Gent. For fear that in the hurry of
buisness you might forget my directions I recapitulate viz Mark
from 20 upwards. \V. and ship to Mess Von Phull & McGill of

I I

IPP

132

CORRESPONDKNCR:

[179

St. Louis by first direct opportunity. Capt. Thing calls on you
before vou have done this deliver them to him,

and oblige Yr Obt. Servt. N. J. W.

CLXXXV.

I/)uisville March 3d 1834
Capt. Thing (lyOuisville)

Dear Sir You will find at Mess Alli-
sons & Andersons 3 bbls Alcohol and 1 1 packages Tobacco,
provided they do not ship the same before you arrive in this place
in which case you will proceed direct to St. Louis.

I am &c N J Wyeth

CI^XXXVI.

Louisville March 4th 1834
Mess Yon PhuU & McGill St. Louis

Gent Above you have Bill Lading of
some goods which if they arrive before me please receive and take
care of until I come

And oblige Yr Obt Servt. N. J. W

(Enclosing Bill Ladings 1 1 packages Tol>acco, 3 bbls alcohol
and 3 coils of manilla rope.)

CLXXXVII.

Louisville March 5th (834
Mess. Tucker & Williams (Boston)

Gent V^rmit me introduce to your acquain-
tance Mr Ira G. Smith from him you can obtain much u?cful in-
formation in regard to the Santa Fee buisness in which he has
been engaged some years. Any assistance which 5'^ou can
render him in Boston wUl much oblige 3'^our

Obt. Servt Nathl. J. Wyeth

CLXXXVIII.

Louisville March 4th 1834
Mr. Jas. Brown Boston

Dear Sir Herewith I introduce to your ac-
quaintance Mr. Ira G vSmith. Any politeness or attention which
you can shew him will much oblige

your old friend Nathl. J. Wyeth

CI.XXXIX.

Louisville March 5th 1834
Bro. Charles (Baltimore)

Allow me to introduce Mr. Ira G. Smith
an acqu'iintance of mine to you. He is just from Santa Fee and
will amuse you with long storys of Indians &c. Shew him what
attention you can and oblige

Yr afte Bro Nathl. J. Wyeth

•So] VVYRTH'S ORRGON EXPRDITIONS.

One of the above to Leoiid. I. Wyeth.

CXC.

123

Mess Samuel & More

St. Louis March loth 1834

Gent. Since mine of 12th ulto. I have
not heard from you and do not know what you have done in re-
gard to Horses, mules and men and desire that as soon as possi-
ble you would inform me. I shall engage here if possible 20 men
but shall not purchase animals. The riding saddles please get as
heretofore ordered.

While in Philadelphia I saw Mr. Samuel with whom I ar-
ranged in regard to money matters and he informed me that he
had written you on the subject. In addition to the money that
you have received from Mess Von PhuU & McGill and the letter
of Cr. from T. C. Rockhill & Co. I shall want about $3000
which in all will be about 5400$. Please inform me if this will
fbe] convenient at your earliest opportunity.

And oi,:;ge Yr Obt Servt Nathl. J. Wyeth.
CXCI.

St. Louis March nth 1834
Mr Jas. Brown

Dear Sir Expecting, as usual, to be a little
short of fulfilling my engagements to the company with which I
am concerned I have to request of you the favor of getting a dis-
count for me provided they call for it.

I have left with Tucker & Williams a note against F. Tudor
for $300 also one against Jonas Wyeth 2nd $1000. These you know
are perfectly good and if not formal can be used collaterally
and are due about the ist Sept and Dec. next. If you are not at
liberty to endorse owing to stipulations with your partners you
might probably get the Colonel by 7mj' of importance to do it
or some one else. If you will exert your self in this matter you
will essentially serve me. I shall write to T & W. to call on
you for this purpose if they find it requisite.

Yours of the 17 ulto. was received am sorry your neighbors are
cracking and glad that you are not. Shall write you again just
as I leave the world.

Yr Afte Friend, N. J. W.

CXCII.

vSt. Louis March nth 183/.
Mess Grant & Stone

Gent. This is to inform you that I have this
day drawn on you for $tooo at ro days sight fav. Mess, of A. and

ir^

124

CORRRvSPONDKNCK:

[iSi

(i. W. KeiV'- No 1 1 for the amt. of which please draw on Mess.
Tucker & Williams Boston as arraiige[d] and oblige

yr. oh Servt. N. J. \V

CXCIII.

St. Louis March 13th 1834
Mess Tucke[r] & Williams Boston

Gent. Your favours of the 1 8th and 22nd
ulto. are at hand. I presume you have before this received my
letter of 21st Feb from Baltimore and 26th ulto from Pitsburgli,
Your letters of Cr. on the Branch Bank here for $4000 I sbail pot
be able to use and I have already' drawn from this place on Mes.?.
Grant & Stone for $1000 10 days sight. For remaining $30'jo
of this credit I shall endeavour to get the time provided by yjur
letters with the bank, from Samuel and More. But Mr. Samuel
having gone to Liberty the day before your letters were received
and having made an arrangement with him it might be a serious
disappointment to him not to obtain my bills to make his pay-
ments at the East but still it will amt. to about the same thing as
the bills will be drawn much later. Had your letter arrived one
day earlier I should have avoided drawing say No. 11 at so
short a sight. The Cr. of $5500 to be used from the Mountains is
entirely satisfactory.

The Traps will be in Season under ordinary circumstance and I
have taken out an open policy for $3300 ft m Pitsburg to this
place on such goods as may be shipped at i pr ct.

I note that you have written to Mess Samuf ' & More. Mr.
Coxe charges on drafts one per ct. and I'jlv.-rest 6 pr ct. I
have hired here for 3 5'ears one man $300 pr An. one for $250
per An. 18 at $250 for 18 mos. time to expire in the Indian
country. Advances and Horses will exceed the estimate I think
but can not yet say how much. I arrived here the loth inst
having had as I believe the Cholera on the route but am now well.

Fitzpatric was robbed by the Crow Indians of his horses and
goods but has made 2300 lbs. Beaver and 2 of his parties not
heard from when he wrote. »Should his other parties do as well
it will be a good hunt after all.

Seaton sends out a party of about 40 men and we propose to
join company through the dangerous countrj'. This with super-
numeraries will make us about 120 strong enough to flog all the
Indians in the country. Of my own funds here I shall not be
able to collect more than 600$. In the mean time I have written
to Mr. James Brown firm of Hilliard, Gray & Co who is my at-
torney to get discounted some of the notes which I left with you
which under any ordinary circumstances he will and can very
readily do if you will call on him and this is all the arrangement

*Written "Can" when previously mentioned.

1 82]

WYKTH'vS ORK(U:)X KXPRDITlONvS.

125

which I can make to meet any deficiency that may appear against
me. The Cash paid by me trom my own funds in this place will
not exceed $600., which is in addition to what stands to my
Credit with yoit.

I this day received a letter from the Gov. of the Hudsons Bay
Co. in London in regard to the proposition which I made them
and of which you have a copy in my letter of Nov. S 18^3 de-
ferring a definite answer to the same until the express from the
Columbia was received it appears that their ships were last year
frozen up at Hudsons Bay in consequence of which they had no
news from the Columbia of the vear in which I was there.

"cS: &c N. J. \V.

CXCIV.

vSt. Louis March i8th 1S34
Bro. Jacol>

I had hoped to find you here or at least a letter
from you l>ut do not, and therefore write to say a sort of farewell
before I again encounter the uncertainies of the wilderness.
After leaving you at the rendesvous we moved on with tolerable
comfort and success in the way of Hunting and trading until we
arrived at the Coast where we found the ves.sel that I had expect-
ed had been lost. This was a signal for the rest to desert and
truly I was glad to be rid of them altho thereby all the pro-
ceeds of the expedition were sacrificed or buried in the Mountains.
I then commenced my return with two hired men and during the
time from the ist March last until the loth Oct. made my way to
St. Louis and in due time home. The old concern being dis[s]olved,
I formed a new one and am now on m)- way to the Columbia having
sent a vessell round the Horn and am taking a company of 50
men overland to go over again the toils and r.ufFering and perhaps
the losses of which you saw a part, and this will either make or
lireak me. Thus much for myself.

I hear that you are doing well and have far the best practice in
your place. • Industry will keep this and economy will make it
ample for your wants. Yrs. of the 8th Dec. last I received and
mark that you say that your "prospects are great and getting
better, as you always knew they would be, if once disengaged from
your friends as they //id /cf'o[/<]s/y stile themselves who have always
weighted you down &c stifling all your energies &c." Whether
friendly to you or not or whether I ever stated myself to be, im-
ports nothing and whether you intended me or others imports as
little. All the comment 1 can make on the passage, is to ask
you, who supported your early life of idleness and dissipation,
until it was Ijeyond the power of any friends to do it longer? and
who on your return from the Mts. enabled you 10 avail yourself
of your present prospects? I have never yet read a passage which
so strongly indicated the truth of»)neofRochefocaulds maxims viz.

126

CORRKSPOXUKXCK:

[183

' ' I f you would wish to make a man your irrecousilable enemy do him a
kindness he cannot repayC ' ]. I have done you the favor not to shew
this letter to your friends believing that you did not appreciate
the words when you wrote them and that it might be only an ex-
ebition of that inconsiderateness which forms a part of your char-
acter.

I hear that you are to be married and to one who is said to be
worthy of you or any one else. Altho you do dot seem to allow
that I should call myself your friend yet perhaps you will admit
me to sug[g]est that economy will be the best mode to maintain
that independency' which you have now so fully declared more es-
pecially as ih regard to it I have been wanting as well as yourself.
Be assured that much of the comfort of your married life will de-
pend upon your being able to maintain a respectable appearance
among your acquaintance. Want and pleasure do not associate,
and beside if your income can be made sufficient nothing would
be more to your credit than to pay off some of your small debts to
the Eastward. This would make your father much more com-
fortable 'lan he now is and would in the end I have no doubt
afford you more pleasure than you could purchase with the same
money in any other way.

I I affords myself and your other friends no little pleasure to
hear that your exertions are praiseworthy and that at last you
are likely to make a man of yourself that you have quit all sorts
of dissipation and have formed industrious habits. That you
may continue in this c[o]urse is the sincere wish of

Yr afte Bro N. J. \V.

CXCV.

St. lyouis March 19th 1834
MrNuttall

Dear vSir Capt Thing informs me that you wait informa-
tion from me before you leave Philad. I can not tell exactly what
time I shall leave St. Louis, but of this T am certain that you will
have no time to spare after you receiver this and when you arrive
at St. Louis call on Mess Von PhuU & McGill who will inform
5'ou if I have gone up the river in which case follow as fast as
you can. At Liberty or Independence you will hear if I have
started and how long. If I have not been gone more than three
or four days with a good horse you will easily overtake me before
you come to any dangerous country following the trail of my
horses.

I shall probably not leave Independence before the 25th April
and perhaps not quite so soon. Much depends uvton the grass
whether it is fit to feed the horses or not. At present appear-
ences indicate an early spring.

I am Yr Obt. Servt. Nathl. J. W'yeth

1S4]

wYETirs ori:gon kxpkditioxs.

CXCVI.

197

St. Louis March 21st 1834

Mess Samuel & More

Gent Enclosed you have list of men which
I send up. The passage is ""is-so a piece which please pay for all
that are delivered, and when they arrive please find some house
where they can stop and cook their food. Supplv them with pro-
visions until I come and let them cook for themselves. I shall be
up in the next Boat.

I have paid the Capt $25 which please deduct from his bill
unless he shows that he has supplied these men with provisions
which he is authorized to do in case those on board run short.

Yr &c N. J. W.

P. S. Having blkts on the route I have given these men none.
If you could hire their lodging cheap I would pay for it or get
them some bedding until I come by paying for the use of it.

Also authorizeing Mess. Samuel & More to pay one dollar extra for
any of the men who did not wood on the way and in proportion
to the distance if they should desert.

X. J. W.

CXCVI I,

St. Louis March 28th 1834
Mess Samuel & More Liberty.

Gent Your fav. of 20 inst came to hand
to day. I am sorr>' that you have raa'^e a contract for saddles at
10$ each. You have either mistaken tue kind I wanted or have
paid far too much. Such as I wanted without stir[r]ups or girths
as I ordered them can be had here at $4 each. Please get off
from taking as many as j^ou can of these saddles, and if you have
not already engaged 6 better ones that I ordered you may leave it
until I come. You do not tell me what you are giving for animals
or how many you have bought. I shall probably come up on the
next Boat say in about eight days from the time you receive this.
In the mean time I remain

Yrs &c. Nathl. J. Wyeth
CXCVIII.

St. Louis March 28th 1734

Bro Leond

Allow me to introduce to your acquaintance an uncle
of Bro Jacobs intended, Col. Geo. \V. Jones of Galena. He
gives so good an account of the Doct. that I know 5'ou will take
great pleasure in conversing with him

Yr. afte Bro. Nathl. J. Wyeth

I2S

COTiRKSPONDKXCr::
CXCIX.

['85

St. lyouis March 31.SI 1834

Dear wife (Cambridge)

Your fav. of 13th came to hatid this moniing and was very
acceptable. I am glad to find yon will take some care of the
trees. Perhaps they will not grow for our use but some one will
get the benefit and it will be pleasant to leave even such a mem-
orial of our having once existed. It is true that Mr. Fitzpatric was
robbed by the Crow Indians but I was in hopes that you would
not hear of it. I knew it before I left Cambridge but did not
wish to alarm you. I do not think there is much danger with so large
party as I shall have.

Mr. Nuttall and Mr. Townsend another naturalist
passed through this place to the rendezvous last week and
their goods went by the vessell so there is no doubt of his going.
The Missionarys came here this morning. Mr. Abbot is at the
rendezvous taking care of the horses. Batiste and the Indian I
have also sent up to the rendezvous. Batiste continues a pretty
good boy. I shall think of your request for seeds and pretty
stones while I am on my way out, and certainly shall not forget
my promise to send for 5'ou if there is any chance of doing so
with propriety but you must not be too sanguine a thousand
circumstances may prevent it altho I desire it much. I feel as
much as you can do the lonesomeness of my way of life but you
know the success of what I have undertaken is life itself to me
and if I do fail in it they shall never say that it was for want of
perseverance. But this is my last attempt and if I am not suc-
cessfuU I must come home and endeavour the best waj' I can
to get a living and to pay my debts which will theti be heavy.
Still I am yet sanguine that I shall succeed. I will take good
care of myself and perhaps the life which began in turmoil may
yet end in quiet and peace and our sun go down from a clear sky.
I should l>e desolate indeed if I thought that the residue of life
was to be as unsettled as the pa.st, and I cannot but reproach my-
self that I have made you in some measure a widow while you
ought to be enjoying yourself. I am afraid that you will brood
over hopes that have been blasted by me who should have been
with you to fulfil them and at hand in time of need to cherish
and support. These things make me melancholy and I half be-
lieve I have got the Blues.

Jacob writes me that he is about getting married. The people
from Galena all say that he is doing well. I hope so but cant,
help doubting whether it is permanent.

Good l)ye My Dear wife and may God bless you.

N. J. Wyeth

186]

WYETH'S ORROON RXPRDITIONS.
CC.

139

St Louis April 3rd 1834
Mess Samuel & More Liberty

Gent, Your fav. of the 28th ulto.
came to hand this evening. I note that you are getting horses.
120 horses if good would do me. To this number you can pur-
chase. If you can get mules allow that 3 are as good as 4
Horses. As to price you are the best judges, but I am in hopes
that 30$ a piece will buy good horses and $40 mv.les. I wrote you
on the 28 ulto. about saddles &c. I do not wish you to do any-
thing more until I come in regard ^o any thing except Horses
and mules. Please get the animals shod as fast as you buy them.
I am on the loway with all my goods and leave this in the morn-
ing and have hired men enough with the 20 I have before sent
you except 6 which please etigage if you can find cheap and
good but not otherwise.

I am yr obt. vServt. N. J. Wyeth
CCI.

St. Louis Apri ^d 1834
Mess Grant & Stone Phil.id.

Gent. I have drawn on you this day fav.
of Mess Von Phull & McGill 90 days sight No 12 for $700 for
which amt you will draw on Mess. Tucker & Williams as arrang-
ed and oblige

yr. obt. Servt. N. J. W.

ecu.

St. Louis Ap 3d 1S34
Mess Tucker & Williams (Boston)

Gent I have this day drawn on you No 13.
$600 90 days sight fav. H. S. Coxe cashier of the U. S. Bank in
this city, also this day No 12 on Mess. Grant & Stone Philad.
$700 90 dys sight of which I have advised them.

AH the goods have arrive here and are reshipped and itisured to
Liberty. I shall leave this in the boat in a few minutes and shall
write you in full from the upper settlements forwarding acts[.] of
disbursements and the certain arrangements of the expedition.

r am yr. Obt. Servt. N. J. W
CCIII.

Independence Ap. 17th 1834
Mess Tucker & Williams

Gent. Your fav. of the 21st ulto. came to
hand to day. The last of mine which you acknowledge is of the
I St March since which I have written you advising of the follow-
ing draft viz A and G. W. Ken 10 days sight on Grant & Stone
No. II $1000 March nth— Yon Phull & McGill 9[o] days on

'30

CORRKSPONOFNCK:

[««7

Grant and Stone No. 12 $700 April 3d -H. S. Coxe 90 days on
Tucker & Williams No 13 $600 dollars Ap. 3d making about
$6062.45. 1*he amt you speak of as paid for Abbot was not paid
on Company ace. but on my own. He gambles but is usefull to us
and owes us too much to have him stopped. To day I have drawn
on you No. 14 fav. H. S. Coxe 90 days $343.37 also same on
same date and time $3000 making in all to this date about 9500$
and there will be yet some more. Several items not included iti
the first estimate conduce to this such as insurance of these vions,
[?] passage for myself, Abbot, Thing and two Indians. The op-
position of the 4 companies have made me pay heavy advances on
men and high prices for horses, in addition to which I have been
obliged to advance about $500 to Milton Sublette which arose
from this circumstance viz last year Srblette & Campbell took
out to the mountains Capt Stewart & Doct. Harrison and author-
ized Milton Sublettes Company to credit them and draw for the
amt. These drafts Sublette & Campbell refused to honor and
pay as soon as they ascertained that we were to supply Milton
vSublettes Company with goods unless Milton Sublette would re-
main at home in which case Sublette & Campbell offered to set-
tle the acts, and pay the Drafts. Sublette & Campbell are going
out with a party of men & goods to the rendesvous to the moun-
tains. Under these circumstances I felt myself obliged to make
the advance above stated to M. G. Sublette and also to purchase
a more expensive kind of animals then I had at first intended in
order to be first at the rendesvous which I consider ver^- import-
ant. So far I am ahead and shall leave the settlements on the
26th or thereabouts at which time I shall forward you acts, in full,
Invoices muster roll &c.

I am now packing up. All the goods have arrived here safely.
I have 20 more horses to purchase. The season is early and
everj'^thing favorable exoept that the expense will \^e greater
than has been calculated, but as you do not complain much of
hard times I am in hopis that you will meet it willingly and re-
quest 5'ou to believe that ever>' exertion has been made to keep
it within bounds. There are none of the Dignitaries with me as yet
and if they "preach" much longer in the States they will loose
their passage for I will not wait a minute for them.

I am &c N. J. Wyeth
CCIV.

Indpendence April 25th 1834
Mess Tucker & Williams

Gent. To day I drew my last draft on Mess
Grant & vStone 30 days sight No 16 2515.66 fav. of Samuel &
More. You will be surprised at the amt. I have drawn but with-
out abandoning the enterprise I could not avoid it and there being
no chance to refer to you, I have taken the responsibility and

iSS]

WYETH'vS ORROON KXPEDITIONS.

I3»

must abide the consequences if you choose not to ratify ray act.
I should have drawn on my own means but I have not got
them. There have baen by the government and the trading compan-
ies purchased here above looo Horses which accounts for the great
increase in the price. I have been, obliged to advance to men or
not get them and once in for it I have been obliged to pay their
other debts, or loose them. Many of them having been taketi by
the officers. I shall make out Invoices, musters, and accounts due
from men and my own account with the concern. These I shall
send from the Kansas Agency. I should do it here but officers
are continually taking the men and making more expense beside
time is of the greatest importance. I go in the morning and can
make out these papers at nights. It is like keeping a bag of fleas
together to keep the men in this whisky country
In haste. You will please pass to m[y] Cr.

yr obt. Servt. Nathl. J. VVyeth
CCV.

Independence April 26th 1834
Mess Tucker & Williams

Gent. Notwithstanding what I wrote you
yesterday I have uiawn to day yet another draft fav. of Mess.
Samuel & More No 17 $120 sight which I hope and believe will
be the last. I have lost 4 cattle and 2 horses and in case I do
not find them to day I shall leave them behind. Excuse . my
brevity at this moment as I have many things to do and shall
write 3'ou again as advised in mine of yesterday.

linclosed you have a note of W. Abbot to me which please
hold for collection. This is the debt which I paid for him to
Sublette & Campbell as advised in mine of ist March from Cin-
cinati and credit the same to my ace. and oblige

yr obt. Servt. Nathl J Wyeth
CCVI.
Kanzas River May 2d 1S34
Mess Tucker & Williams

Gent This is my last this side of the moun-
tains and with it you have my ace. with bills and copies of bills
that are required as v^'ichers in the mountains also a list of peo-
ple terms of engagements and charges against men. I am not
sure that these papers are accurate as they were made up in camp
and in very wet weather and much to attend to. I have lost 2
Horses 4 cows. 2 men deserted and I expect some more will.
I am the first as yet in the Indian country. Excuse me from
writing more as I am fatiguea t'^[o] much.

yr obt. Servt. Nathl. J. Wyeth.

P. S. I have not sent you the invoice of my own goods because
they will probably be all charged to disbursements in case I send

132

CORRKvSPONDENCR:

[1S9

out a trapping party. I have therefore supposed it best to charge
all except Sublettes Invoice to Disbursements and credit that ac-
count when any part of it was sold.

CCVII.

Little Vermilion May 8th 1834
Mess Tucker & Williams

Gent I am sorry to say that Mr. M. G.
Sublettes leg has grown so troublesome that he is to day obliged
to turn back and by him I write this. He has given me an or-
der on his partner for the arat. of advances made him \. n'able in
furs. I regret this circumstance much but it was unavoidable as
he was perfectly unable to go on. 4 more men have deserted
since mine of 2nd inst. 2 men I have hired. No more horses
have been lost. The bills and acts, were forwarded by the same
conveyance as the letter of the 2nd inst. We have now crossed the
Kanzas and are about 60 miles above the Agency or 1 20 from the
western limit of the state of Missouri.

In the acts, which I forwarded to you you will observe a mis-
take of 343.37 which you will please credit to my ace. Wish-
ing you all manner of good success and the same myself some-
what on vour account I remain

Yr obt Servt. Nathl. J. Wyeth

CCVIII.

One day this side the Blue May r2th 1834

Dear Sir Wm Sublette having passed me here, I am induced
to write to you by this opportunity and hope you will get it.
You may expect me by the ist July at the rendesvous named in
your letter to Milton which which you sent by Dr. Harrison who
opened it and I presume told Wm Sublette of the place. I am
not heavily loaded and shall travell as fast as possible and have a
sufficient equipment of goods for you according to contract.
Cerre will be much later than me and also the Am. Fur Co. Milton
left me a few days since on account of his leg which is very bad.
I am yr obt. Servt. N. J. W.

To Thos Fitzpatric or Co.
In the Rocky Mountains.

P. S. I have sent a vessell around the Horn with such goods
as you want and would like to give you a supply for winter
rendesvous or next year on such terms as I know would suit you.

CCIX.

Sweet Water June 9th 1834
Mess Thomas Fitzpatric & Co.

Gent. I send this to inform you of
my approach with your goods. I am now two days behind Wm
Sublette, who I presume is with you by this. Milton informed

I9<>]

WYKTH'S OREGON KXPRDITION.S.

133

me that you would rendesvous near the mouth of the Sandy. Iti
case you do not I wish you would immediately inform me by ex-
press. I am now one days march above rock Independence and
shall continue to come on at a good rate and for the present fol-
low the same route which I came by two years since. I wish
that you would defer making any contract for carrying home any
surplus furs that you have or for a further supply of goods untill
I come as I have sent a vessell to the mouth of the Columbia
with such goods as you want and am ready to give you a supply
for winter rendesvous if you wish or for next year, and also to
send home by her, at a low rate, such furs as you may have and
can make vou advances in St. Louis on them to pay men &c.
I am yr. obt. vServt. Nathl. J. Wyeth.

CCX.
Hams fork of the Colorado of the West June 20th 1834

Jas. W. Fenno Ksq. Atty. at law Boston

Dear Sir According to
arrangement I write you. I have as yet no certain knowledge of
how the buisness I am now in will prove, or for how long a
time it may detain me. Our getting no furs as yet, renders it
quite probable that it may be given up soon. My partners may
get discouraged, if no returns are made the first year, and if they
do I shall be compelled to give the thing up. You may feel
yourself quite certain on the return of the first vessell if another
is not sent out immediately that I am coming home soon. Hav-
ing been the instigator of this enterprise I cannot be the first to
abandon it and have no disposition to do so, but if those engaged
with me do not support me in a proper manner so as to enable
me to prosecute it successfully I must turn my attention to some
other buisness. It is perhaps impertinent in me to advise and
quite likely you will think me interested, nevertheless, if you will
keep yourself aloof from the ice buisness for a time I think there
may be an opportunity tQ commence it more favorably. F'or
some 5'ears the buisness has been too successfull to induce proper
ideas of its value and if you should enter the buisness as an agent
you will run the chance of change of opinion which might be
fatal to any project on the subject. Little as the above amounts
to it is all that I can say. Affairs have not yet given any de-
cided indication to enable me to be more definate. This much to
shew you that I have not forgotten the subject.

I hope you have got the patent arranged in such a manner
that you can clap the screws when occasion calls.

Our route hither has been attended with success so far as trav-
elling but not otherwise. We have had no fighting and [have] seen
few Indians and what horses we have lost have been worn out
and not stolen. The companies here have all failed of making
hunts, some fromquar[r]eling among themselves some from having

CORRKSl'OXDKNCrC:

[191

lieeii defeated by the Indians atid some from want of horses, and
what few furs have been taken have been paid to the men for
their services leaving none for me. I shall build a fort (^n I^ewis
River about a hundred and fifty miles west of this which is in
Ivatt.45 deg. 15 min. I^ong 1 12 deg. 15 min. and there deposite my
goods for sale when there is Beaver to pay for tj'em.

While I am here turning Indian probably you are turning
civilized that is getting married and settling down to all the
comfort that can be imagined, preparing yourself an easy chair
for after life. That you may find not thorns when you expect
Down is the wish of

your friend and Servt. Nathl J. Wyeth.
CCXI.

Hams Fork of the Colorado of the West June 20th 1.S34

r. Tudor Ksq.

Dear Sir With no adventure worth relating in the
way of Battle or hardship I arrived here on the 19th inst. having
left the settlements on the ist May. And feel it a duty to write
to you altho I have not much to say. The contracts which I
made with the company here have not been complied with and
in consequence I am obliged to establish a fort which I shall do
on Lewis ^iver about a hundred mi'f^n west of this for the pur-
pose of trading m^' g .i.» and then leave part of my men
at it and then I oceeu to the Columbia for the further prosecu-
tion of the buisness. The failnt-e of adequate returns by the first
vessell may possibly vUscoura^^e those who are concerned in this
thing at home and in case you find that a vessell is not sent out
as soon after the first returns as possible you may expect
to see me soon and in such case with a determination to take any
reasonable chance in the ice buisness and stick to it the remain -
der of my buisness life. I cannot in eonscience ask you to defer
any thing for me nor can I l)e the first to abandon this under-
taking having been first in it, but will not prosecute it further
than there is a reasonable chance of success.

We have here none of what >ou call the comforts of life but
have heart and health, and are yet >'oung a;^ after i.\\ not dis-
couraged which is one half. If I caniKt surceed I will fail after
a fair tryal but net before.

That 3'ou mcs' in the evening of your days enjoy that comfort
and satisfaction for which you have :>t.riven so hard and long is
the wish of one who feels under heavy obligation to you.
I am yr obt Servt. Nathl. J. Wyeth

192]

WYKTII'S ORHC.ON HXl'I-lDITIONS.

135

CCXII.
Hams fork of the Colorado of the West June 21st 1S34
Leoiid Jarvis J{sq

Dear Sir I have not time to write much or
much to say, but I cannot omit saying a little. So far this buis-
ness looks black. The companys here have not complied with their
contracts with me and in consequence I am obliged to make a
fort on Lewis River to dispose of the goods I have with me. I
think I can in a little time realize good returns, but in the mean-
time the concern at home may get discouraged and if they do the
whole is spoiled, and I shall be obliged to give up the buisness.
After leaving a part of my men to take charge of thp fort I; shall
proceed to the Columbia and probably get there about 1st Sept.
The place I am now at is Latt 41 deg 45' Long 112 deg. 35'. If
I am obliged to return home again it will be to stay and endeavour
to pay off the debts which I will then owe, and believe that I can
do so in time with health.

Accept Dear Uncle my wishes for your happiness and also that
of my good Aunt, and believe me

Yr Afte. Nephew X. J. W.

ccxiri.

Hams Fork of the Colorado of the West June 21st 1S34

Dear Parents I arrived here on the 19th
inst without accident after a very quick voyage and no fighting.
All as yet looks as prosperous as could be expected (you
know however that I do not expect much and am therefore not
so likely to be dissappointed). I hope you get along in quiet and
peace with Jonas. The idea that this may not be the case oc-
casions me some uneasiness. I can not say how soon you may
expect to see me but of this be certain, that there is little or no dang-
er here except of not living quite so well as I could at home. I
hope you will do all that you can to make my wife comfortable
and happy and yourselves the same. I have many letters to
write and not much time at present but shall write you by the re-
turn vessell.

Love to all. W^ith many wishes for 3'our health and hap-
piness

I am yr affectionate Son Nathl J Wyeth.

CCXIV.

Hams Fork of the Colorado of the West June 21st 1S34

Dear Wife 1 have but little to say to you
in a letter, but much buisness with you, if I were at home. I
got here safe and well, but whether I shall do well is yet uncer-
tain but I will tr>'. Miltons leg got so bad that he did not come
with me. Mr. Nuttall is well and is cursing the tittle tattle of
Cambridge in high style. It would do you good to look into

^^6

CORRKSPOXnRNCR:

[^9^

our Iv (t just now and see how fat I am. Be of good cheer and
make yourself as happy as you can until I come or send

Give ny respects to your mother and Aunt Rebecca and love to
Caroline Baptiste send[s] compliments.

yr arte. Husband Nathl. J. Wyeth.

CCXV.

Hams Fork of the Colorado of the West June 21st 1834

Mr Jas Brown

My old friend I cannot write at length but there is
a feeling when I write to you that I feel to no one else. In long
array comes up the wits and wine the social converse and the
sunny side hills of old times. Are they gone forever? Yes from
me, but as the hearts of kings tremble at the name of Napoleon,
so mine vibrates to the recollections of old joys. I am not now
able at once to heave care "over side" and the Bon[n]y Boat the
Jovial cr-^v.'. Chaplain and all would now be inr^ufficient to fill the
void. I believe that times of Careless Joy have gone bj' for me,
and s])eed to them. And now we look forward to those quiet
times v\hen the wicked cease from troubling and the weary are
at rest. Are the heavens Black or is the gloom in my vision?
The latter must be true for still youth and I[n]trepidity look upon
as fresh a world as ever and will not believe "hie Transit Gloria
mundi to be true." If you think me Blue remember that I am
hard to convince and all are unwilling to believe themselves
astray.

In regard to my affairs manage them as well as you can. My
scituation is not such as to justify your incurring any risque on
my account. I would like to keep the Colledge lott if possible
because I think that let affairs turn as they may I will be able to
come home and in a little time clear myself of any incumbrance.

I hope your buisness is prosperous and not s > i.mrdensome as
to destroy comfort. Mine here .sliil looks squally but obstinacy
and hope guide the way.

Be so good as to give my respects to all friends and especially
to your good wife and love to little ones.

And believe me as of old vour affectionate friend

N. J. Wyeth

CCXVI.

Haras Fork of the Colorado of the West June 21st 1834

Col. K. W. Metcalf

Dear Sir As I promised, I write to say that
in gallant stile, I bore your acceptable present of a cap over the
Rocky Mountains and in perfect saf[e]ty arr[ilved a[s] far as this

on our long route Latt. 41 deg. 45 min. I^ong

Perhaps you may think it strange that I write when I have so
little to say I do so to induce a correspondence with one who is

'94]

WYETH'S ORROON RXPRDITIONvS.

137

well able to inform me of the state of affairs at home and who
perhaps will be willing to take the trouble to inform me We
have in this country little to interest the mind when once the
novelty of white Bears Buffaloes and Indians is worn off which is
now prett> well the case with me. Mr. Nuttall is with me and
well and has mide an immense collection of new plants pre-
served also there is a Mr. Townsend who has found a goo^ ~
o!" new birds and preserved them. I shall establish

Lewis River which will be about 150 miles west of thi^

purpose of trade and then go to the mouth of Columbia River
the further prosecution of it.

Should you consent to correspond you can leave your letters at
Mess. Tucker & Williams Central Wharf. In the meantime
cept for yourself and family my best wishes

Respectfully yr obt Servt. Nathl. J. Wyeth

ac-

CCXVII.

June 2 1 St 1834

Hams Fork of the Colorado of tht West

Bro Charles,

All well, but I am afraid not doing as well as might
be expected but will do all I can "and then trust to providence."
My affairs are at the present in too unsettled a state to express
any opinion of the event. I shall write you again by the vessell.
In the mean time I am going about 150 miles west of this
to build a Fort and that done shall proceed to the Columbia to
build another there for fishing and then the Deil knows where
after Beaver.

Give my love to your wife and believe me that old kindness is
not diminished on the contrary I look back to the fondness that
has so long sweetened our intercourse as the Brightest spot on
raemorys green and the brighter for the darkness and desolation
which encompasses me.

yr. afte Brother Nathl. J. W^-etli
CCXVIII.

Haras Fork of the Colorado of the West June 2rst 1834

Bro. Leonard

I do not know what mood to write you in. Is money
scarce? If I knew so I would indite you the Blackest kind of a
letter and dip my pen in gall and wormwood and indulge my
own fancy while tallying with yours.

Affairs in this region are going bad Murder is rife and dis-
trust among themselves makes the whites an easy prey to Indians.
There has been little Beaver caught and of that little I get less
than I ought. As yet there is no positive indication of the event
of this buisness. I shall do all I can and if those at home do not
get discouraged it will yet Uirn out well but of this I am afraid.

i.^s

CORRESPONDENCK:

[195

if.f

I leave this about the ist July and then go west about a hun-
dred and fifty miles W. on the Lewis River to make a fort for
trade thence to the Columbia to build another then out trapping
and trading with a party. I shall write you by the vessell and
hope to have good news to send but if not shall say nothing.
Here are plenty of Buifaloe and other good things to eat and so
far no Indians to trouble us, but continual watching is tiresome
and at last men get willing to lay down and take their chance. I
hope your difficulties have ceased and with less damage to your
aifairs than you apprehended still I think let what will come you
will fare as well as the best and come out bright at last.

Give my respects to Mess.. Osgoods and their families and my
regular built[but?] hearty good will to you[r] lady and little ones,
and believe me

yr. afte. Brother Nathl. J. Wyeth.
CCXIX.

Hams Fork of the Colorado of the West June 30th 1834
Mess. Von Phull & McGill

Gent. I herewith enclose a draft, Fitz-
patric Sublette & Bridger on Sublette & Campbell $1002.81
twelve mos. from date dated July ist 1834 also one same parties
4 months $864. 1 2 same date. These drafts or the proceeds of
them you will please collect or hold subject to the directions of
Mess. Tucker & Williams of Boston.

I take this opportunity to say that my journey so far has been
prosperous and pleasant and attended [with] no accident and to
express to you my sincere wishes for your health and prosperitv.

I am yr. obt. Servt. Nathl. J. Wyeth.

CCVX.

Hams Fork of the Colorado of the West July ist 1834

Latt. 41 deg. 45 min. Long. 112 deg. 34 min.
Mess Tucker & Williams

Gent. 1 arrived here on the 17th inst. and Wni
Sublette arrived two days before me. This he was enabled to do
by leaving one half of his goods and horses on the route, which of
course I could not do. On arrival the Rocky Mountain Fur Co.
refused to receive the goods alledging that they were unable to
continue buisness longer,and that they had dis[s]olved,but offered
to pay the advances made to M. G. Sublette and the Forfeit.
These terms I have beefi obliged to accept altho they would not
even pay the interest on cash advances for there is no Law here. I
have also sold a few goods at low prices. The proceeds of the
Forfeit &c and Sales after deducting a small amt. for payment of
wages of men who have gone home, from this place, I have for-
warded to Mess. Von Phull & McCiill of Saint Lonis subject to
your order, in one draft Four months from date July ist 1834 for

196]

WYRTH'vS ORKOON KXPKDITION'vS.

>39

$864.12^ and for $1002.81 same date 12 months bo n by Fitz-
patric Sublette & Bridger, accepted by Sublette & Campbell of
St Louis.

In addition to not fullfilling their agreement with me everj^ ex-
ertion is made to debauch my men in which they have had some
success, but I have hired enough of theirs to make up, and do not
fear /ailing short of troops. These circumstances induce me to
quit their neighborhood as soon as possible.

I shall proceed about 150 miles west of this and establish a fort in
order to make sale of the goods which remain on my hands, I have
sent out messengers to the Pawnacks, Shoshonees, Snakes, Nez
Perces and Flatheads to make robes and come and trade them at
this Post. I am under the impression that these Indians will
make a good quantity of Robes whenever they find they can sell
them and I believe the Transportation will not be too expensive
for the value of the article beside which I have no doubt that toler-
able good returns of Beaver may be made at this post. I propose to
establish it on a river called Portneuf on Snake or Lewis River.

I feel much disappointed that the contract was not complied
with. Had M. G. vSublette been able to come I think it would
have been. I much fear that the gentlemen at home will get dis-
couraged if no returns are made the first 3'ear. I shall do the
best I can but cannot now promise anything immediate. If I find
on arrival at the mouth of the River that Lambert has not done
much I shall think myself justified in detaining him another year.

I have drawn no drafts from these mountahis.

Bonneville & Co. I have not seen, but he is not far from me on
my proposed route. I fear that he has done nothing of conse-
quence. I shall endeavour to take home his Beaver what there is of
it if I can get an adequate price. I think his concern is finished.

I should forward you an Invoice of goods on hand and a memor-
andum of trans; ions here but have not time without delaying
my march. Capi. Thing altho a first rate man is even a wor.se
scribe than myself and it is all we can do to make the proper
charges and to look after our men and Horses and having to lose
some time in making a fort, time is the more precious. I think
that I will be with the vessell about the loth Sept. next and af-
ter arranging at the Post on the Columbia shall try my fortune at
a winter Hunt for Beaver.

I have now with me 126 horses and mules in good order and
41 persons all told that are in the employ, and ^;r.i hire as many
more as I want. The amount due for wages is trifling. Almost
all the men take up as fast as they earn, and would faster if I
would let them, in goods at about 500 per ct. on the original cost.
Our expenses after this year will be very small, and I have
strong hopes as ever of success notwithstanding appearances so
lar.

I am yrs Xath. J. Wyeth

J40

CORRRSPOXnRNCR:
CCXXI.

[197

Hams Fork July ist 1834
Mr. G. Sublette

Dear Sir I arrived at [the] Rendesvous at the mouth
of [the] Sandy on the 17th June. Fitzpatric refused to receive the
goods he paid however, the forfieit and the cash advance I made
to you this however is no satisfaction to me. I do not accuse you
or him of any intention of injuring me in this manner when you
made the contract but I think he has been bribed to sacrifice my
interests by better offers from your brother. Now Milton, buisness
is closed between us, but you will find that you have only bound
yourself over to receive your supplies at such price as may be in-
flicted and that all that you will ever make in the country will go
to pay for your goods, you will be kept as 5'ou have been a mere
slave to catch Beaver for others.

I sincerly wish you well and believe had you been here these
things would not have been done. I hope that your leg is better
and that you will yet be able to go whole footed in all respects.

I am Yr Obt. Servt. N. J. Wyeth.

CCXXI I.

Hams Fork of the Colorado of the West July 2d 1834

Mess Von Phull & McGill

Gent. I enclose three small drafts drawn by
me on Fitzpatric & Co whole amt, $98.25, which please collect
and hold to the order of Mess. Tucker & Williams and oblige

Your obt Servt N. J. Wyeth.
CCXXdi.

Bear River July 5th 1834
Fr[i]end Ermatinger

Your esteemed fav. of [the] 1 2th ulto. reached
me by the politeness of Mr. Newell on Hams fork of Green River.
Mr. N. also informed me of the particulars of the battle with the
Blkfeet. It must have been a capital mixture of Wine and Gui'-
powder. I am happy to hear that you had some success last year
b\it am afraid that you will do but little this season.

I am quite happy to hear that the Doctor remains at Vancouver.
I shall soon have the pleasure of seeing him. I suppose that Mckay
has "thought of it" by this time and perhaps felt of it too, and
you too seem to have done more than thought of it.

The latter part of your letter I shall answer wlien I see you,
which will be, I think in the course of the year.

I am now on my way to meet a vessell that I sent from Boston
to the mouth of the Columbia and hope to he there bv the ist
Sept.

198]

WYRTH'vS OREGON RXPRDITIONS.

141

You have also enclosed a letter for Mr. Payette whose son is
now with me.

I oame up with goods and about 50 men 130 horses. The goods
I will have to leave for sale somewhere her[e]abouts with part of the
men. I have got no Beaver and have sold but little and that for
Drafts which I hope are good

I have again to repeat to you the advice which
I before gave you not to come with a small party to
the Am. Rendesvous. There are here a great collection of
Scoundrels.

I have a great desire to see you and repay you in
part for all the kindness which I received from you last year.
Please give my respects to Mr. Horon and all my accquaintances
that you may happen to see and believe me

yrobt Servt and Fr[i]end Nath. J. Wyeth

CCXXIV.

Bear River July 5th 1834
Mr Francis Payette

Dear Sir I received your esteemed fav. of 1 4th
May from Fort Nez Perces.

Your son is now with me and will go to the
mouth of the Columbia to arrive there about the ist
Sept. He has learned to speak English to read write and cypher
tolerably well. He learns fast considering how broken his time
has been. We teach him a little on the route but cannot do as
much as I could wish. He is an active lad and appears content-
ed. I should be pleased to hear from you at all times and espe-
cially good news. Letters addressed to the care of the Doctor at
\'ancouver would reach me.

I am yr obt Servt. X J Wyeth

ccxxv.

Sept I St 1834 (at Grand Ronde)
Capt. Bonneville

Dear Sir Yours of this morning I have, and in
answer can only say that I shall send a clerk and an outfit of
goods up to the Fort as soon as I get down, and shall come ra^^-
self with it as far as where you now are, and probably be there in
about 7 weeks from this time. I will enlarge the outfit a little so
as to meet this trade, and will trade with them personally at
your present camp, if they will be there, or I will send a clerk
to them at any place they shall designate, provided they do so
before my passing the Grande Ronde. The time and place must
be designated in time in order that I may give the proper direc-
tions to the clerk.

I shall bring up goods so that in case you should alter your mind
as to purchasing you could still get a supply. But if I could see

142

CORRESPONDENCE:

[199

you personally at the Grande Ronde when I return it is likely
that we might make a joint buisness of it.

It is very like that I may detain the Brig until next summer,
in which case I would like to freight home your furs, which I will
do at 37^ per lb. Insurance included and receive them at the

Grand Ronde.

[No signature.]
CCXXVI.

[No address given.] Sept ist 1834
Capt Bonneville

Dear Sir I got your note of to day late this even-
ing, and am obliged to you for the trouble you have taken. I will
meet the Nez Perces at the A-show-to River within 8 weeks, I
Hope to meet yot before this, and would be pleased to make a
joint affair of it much better than to proceed alone.

Your Beaver traded from the Skiuses [Cayuses] is so much
seized from the common enemy in trade, so far so good.

Respectfully yrs. Nathl, J. Wyeth

CCXXVII.

Copy of letters of introduction addressed to Leond Jarvis Esq. J.
Wyeth, L. I. Wyeth Chas. W^xth and James Brown in fav. of
Capt W. Stewart.

Oct 6th 1834 Columbia River.
Permit me to introduce to your acquaintance Capt William
Stewart an English gentleman who has been traveling in the
Rocky Mountains during the last year. From his intimate ac-
quaintance with the affairs of the Mountains he will be able to
satisfy such enquiries as you may wish to make respecting those
regions. Any attention that you can shew him will much oblige
me.

& &c N. J. W.

CCXXVIII.

Columbia River Oct 6th 1834
Capt William Stewart

Dear Sir Enclosed you have a few letters ad-
dressed to some of my fronds. They will be happy to see you and
to hear from me and if convienient you will oblige me by de-
livering them. Also enclosed you have your account which you
can pay to Mess. Tucker & Williams, or to either of the gentle-
men to whom the letters are addressed and request them to do it.

I am yr. obt. Servt. N. J. W.

CCXXIX.

Columbia River Oct, 6th 1834 (40 miles above the mouth.)

Frederic Tudor Esq. (Boston.)

Dear Sir Since mine of 20th June last I have built

WYETH'S ORKOON EXPRDITIONS.

143

a Fort on Lewis River and raised the Am. Flag in a new region
amid the din of powder and the effects of alcohol common on such
occasions. I assure you the Fort looks quite as warlike
as a pile of of ice but not quite so proffitable. After accomplish-
in^^is I made for this place and met the vessell on the nth
?ept. she having then just arrived after a disasterous passage of 8
months caused by being struck by lightening oif Valparaiso. Con-
sequently I am obliged to delay the vessell until another year
which will delay for that period at least any decision as to the
duration of this buisness, it looks black enough at the present
time to induce an opinion that it must terminate soon one way or
the other.
I find by some English publications that you[rJ ice adventure to
East Indies attracts much attention. vShould this branch of your
buisness appear to be of value would it not be possible to raise
up some trade from this coast to enable you to send vessells from
this to Calcut[t]a. I think the ice might be obta[i]ned a little north
of this, I can not think if any cargo that could be brought here
from the East Indies.

I am anxious to hear how the speculation ended and if you
find sufficient encouragement to continue it, also how your
ordinary ice buisness has succeeded the last j'ear and what has
been the result of your coffee affair. Permit me to ask the favour
of a letter from you by the first opportunity.

I am now buisy in making an establishment on the Multnomah
about 50 miles from its mouth and one on the Columbia at this
place. This winter I go up Lewis River to make one more Fort
on its waters and one on the south side of the Great Salt Lake.
In the Spring I shall return and ascertain if I can put up a cargo
of Salmon.

With wishes for all manner of prosperity for you,

I am yr. obt. vServt. N. J. W.

ccxxx.

Oct 6th 1834

Columbia River
Jas. W. Fenno ECsq. (Boston)

Dear Sir Since mine of 20th
June I have built the Fort that I then mentioned on Lewis River,
Long 112 deg. 31, min. W. Latt 43 deg. 14 min. N. I ar-
rived on the Colum'jia and met my vessell on the nth Sept. she
having been struck by lightening on the passage out and detained
in consequence to repair at Valparaiso. She entirely missed the
salmon season and I am obliged to detain her to another year.

I still think of the old buisness and hope if this fails to find an
opening left to resume it. When I shall be at home iz uncertain.
This buisness looks very bad at this time. We have failed in
ever}' thing for the first year. I shall do all I can one 5'ear
more, which will I think shew whether anything is to be done

i,. ,;

144

CORRKSPONDRNCE:

[901

here or not, and I will not be long in closing the concern when I
find that there is nothing to be made.

You will be careful not to make any disclosures as it regards
the prospects of our buisness here which might be injurious.
I am anxious to hear from you and obtain information of how the
agitated question now stands. In the mean time believe me your
obt Servt N. J. W.

CCXVXI.

Columbia River Oct 6th 1834
Friend Brown

My last was from Hams Fork of the Colorado of the
West since which time I have been building a F'ort on the Snake
or Lewis Fork of the Columbia which I named Fort Hall which
took me until the 6th August on which day the Am. Standard
was raised in regions remote from its usual habitation and amid
the noise of revelry and gun powder it floated in the gaze of the
astonished Savages. After accomplishing this I proceeded to the
mouth of the Columbia where on the nth ulto. I met our ship.
She had on her way out been struck by lightening which occa-
sioned a detention of three months by which our season for fish-
ing was entirely lost. I shall detain her until another year and if
she is then not able to bring home good returns I shall close this
concern as soon as possible and return home with a flea in my ear.

My route from this to the Salmon season ofnext year will be from
this place to Fort Hall Latt. 43 deg. 14 min. N. Long 113 deg 30
min. \V. thence to the Great Salt Lake where I propose to
build another Fort and thence back to this place to be here by the
15 May next to be ready for the Salmon.

I am extremly buisy and can not say much but wish you and
5'our family all the good wishes you can imagine

Yr fr[ilend and vServt X. J. W.
CCXXXII.

Columbia River Oct 5th 1834
Dear Wife

I am here but have had no good luck. The vessell
was struck by lightening on her way out and detained so long that
the salmon season was past. She will therefore have to remain here
luitil another year. In the mean time I shall cruise about the
countrj' and see what I can find.

I have built a Fort on Snake river near the middle of the Con-
tinent, one here, and made a farm on the Multnomah. If by
another year I find that the buisness is to be successfuU I shall
send home for 5'ou, if not I will come home myself.

I hope you makCe] your self comfortable and happy. It is the
only good polic}^ to enjoy ourselves while we can

Yr afte. Husband N. J. W.

'.. i

3oa]

WVKTH'S ORRC.ON HXPRDITIOXS.

ccxxxiir.

145

[No address or date!
Jacob Wyeth Ksq.

I am here buisy as can be fitting out parties making
farms, Forts, and preparing for next years fishing. The
vessell met with an accident which detained her so long on her
passage that this years salmon fishing entirely failed. I shall try
it one year more and if then there is no better success to be had
I shall quit it and come home and attend to whatever buisness I
can find wher[e]by to make a living.

I hope that no further difficulty with our tenant has disturbed
your comfort and that all Lhings about the place go on well.
From what I heard when I was at St. Louis Jacob must be mar-
ried by this time and if so I suppose you have heard of it. From
the representation of very respectable people from Gelena he is
quite a reformed man diligent and successful in his profession
and respected by those who know him. The lady to vhom he
was about to be tied is ^aid to be of the first respectability and
every way worthy. I have no doubt that she will exercise a
very salutary influence over him.

I can not say when you may expect to see me but in the mean-
time I am well here and with a little more success could be
very happy.

I am yr afte Son X. J. \V.

CCXXXIV.

i«34

Columbia River Oct 6th
Brother Leonard

I have no good news to impart. The vessell mis-
carried owing to having been struck by lightening on her wav
out so that our fishing is defer[r]ed to another year. After so long
an abstinence I feel hungry for a little success. I have built a Fort
as I mentioned in my last on Snake or Lewis River in Latt 43
deg. 14 min N. Long 113 deg. 30 min. W. and raised the Am\
Standard in a new region amid the noise of guns and the Sound
of revelry. I met the vessell to a day, and two months after both
expected to arrive here. I have commenced a fine farm on the
Multnomah. Were all I wish to see, and they are not many, here
I think I should never wish to return. I journev this winter into
the interior to the vicinity of the Great Salt Lake and shall prob-
ably make 2 more Forts, and return hither about the 15th May
next to see what can be made of the Salmon fish[e]rys. If at the
close of next year our prospects are not brighter 3-ou may expect
to see me back again, following with fresh spirits some new or old
plans of profit or improvement.

I only write to you to evince that ray mind still looks back to
the good and worthy that it has left behind, that it compares the

146

COR R HvSPOX DKNCK:

[if,^

Hideous squaw with polished white woman the faithless savapfo
with the upright and buisy white man, atid sees the difference.
Give my respects to the Mess. Osgoods and their family and my
love to your wife and children and let them hear the name of their
uncle if they do not see him.

Vr. afte Hro. X. J. W.

ccxxxv.

Columbia River Oct. 6th 1834
Bro. Charles

Since ray last of June 2Tst 1834 I have made the establishment
then spoken of on Snak[e] River in Latt. 43 deg. 14 min. Nl^ong
113 deg. 30 uiin. West and raised the .Stars and Stripes amid ex-
plosions of gun powder and whiskey according to custom, and
tliLV now .wave to the wind in the naked wastes of central
America a wonderment to the simple savage who can not con-
ceive the meaning of so much disturbance. I have now made a
farm on the Multnomah on a prairie of about 15 miles long border-
ing on the river which is nearly as large as the Ohio surrounded by
beautiful and well assorted raber and watered by a good mill
stream. The soil is '.eautilul. If some of the things on which
the minds ej'ecastr. a "longing Hugering" look where [were] here I
might be content to rest from my labors and lay my bones in this
remote wild.

I leave here in a few days on a voyage to the interior and shall
establish two more Forts otic of which will be near the Great Salt
Lake if I can find any tribe of Indians who can give trade
enough to support it.

You must excuse my writing short letters I have much to do
in a short time and some things that can not be ommitted.
(iive my respects to Mr. Norris and family, and be assured of
my best wishes for vou and yours

Vr Afte Bro. Xatlil J W'yeth

ccxxxvr.

ColumlMa River Oct. 6th 1834
Tyeond. Jarvis Esq.

Dear Uncle Since mine of June 31st from
Hams fork I have as I then proposed built a P'ort on .Snake or
Lewis River in Latt 43 deg. 14 min. N. and Long 113 df^^. 30 min.
W. which I named Fort Hall from the oldesi gentkaian in the
concern. We manufactured a magnificent fiag from .some un-
bleached sheeting a little red flannel and a few blue patches, sa-
luted it with damaged powder and wet it in vil[l]a[i]nous alcohol,
and after all it makes, I do assure you, a very respectable appear-
ance amid the dry and desolate regions of central
America. Its Bastions stand a terror to the sculking

ao4l

WVI-.TMS ORKCON l^Xl'IUJlTIONS.

'47

Indian and a l)eacon of saf[e]ty to the fugitive hunter.
It i^ inanLnled l)y 12 men and has constantly loadc^l] in the
Hast ions kxd guns and riries. These bastions command both the
inside and the outside of the Fort. After building this Fort I sent
messengers to the neighboring nations to induce them to come to
it to trai , and am now alxjut starting with an equipnient of
goods lor the winter trade. After letiving these at the Fort I shall
locate and build two more one of which will be scituuted near the
Great vSalt Lake. 1 shall return to this place about the 15th May
next to see what can be done in the I'^ishing bnisuess.

I atn now about 75 miles from the mouth of the river, on the
South Side. We have built a few buildings for store houses,
smiths and Cooper shops, and dwellings. \Ve are n''ar the mouth
of the Multnomah. About 40 miles up this river I have )eguu a
farm o 1 ;i lieautiful prairie of about 15 miles long one end touching
the river a good mill stream in the center the whole surrounded
with good and well assorted timber, of fine soil and mild >-limate,
mu( ii game, in fact all that a man ought to have, but still one is
tempted to exclaim "Oh solitude, where are the charms that
philosophers have seen in Thy face?"

After building Fort Hall as befor[eJ stated I pro-
ceed[ed] hither and on the 14th ulto. met the Hrig
then just arrived and coming up the river to
find me. She was struck by lightening on the way out which oc-
casioned a delay of about 3 months in consequence of which
our fishing season was entirely lost. I shall therefore detain her
until another season and then try.

We suffered nothing coming out but lived s* metime very short
and poor after leaving the Buffaloe country but this is what all
who come this way must expect.

I have given a letter of introduction to Capt. William Stewart
of the British army to you. He is a gentleman of high family
and general attainments and having travelled i the .Mountains
for upwards of a year past, I thought that you might be pleased
to see him.

Now 1 desire that you will give my best compliments to my
aunt and assure her that all the time I have beei 'ddressing U13'
self to you 1 have been thinking of her and her m..uy kindnesses
of old times, this is not a country in which I forget the ladies.

I am yrs. &c. N. J. W.

CCXXXVII.

Copy of note left for Mr. Riclrirdson at the m'>uth of a fork of
the River Des Shutes.

Jany. 7th 1S35
Mr Richardson

Sir In ca.se I return to this place before you
I shall leave a note on this pole with directions. I think you

•

148

CORRI'SI'ONDKN'CI-;:

[205

hnd not ill any case better s».ay up this fork more than three
weeks, unless the prospect for i)eaver is ver>' goo<l. At the time
you arrive here if you find no note from me, you can either go up
tiie stream in search of beaver, and remain until I send the
horses, or send for you, or return to camp as you like. When
I go down I shall leave notice at the mouth of each creek in order
that you may know my movements, and if you follow me up
stream I wish you to leave a notch cut in ray poles, one up one
down in order that I may know if you are above or lielow me.
Also at each creek that you go up leave a peeled pole and one
also on vour return.

Vrs NathlJWyeth

CCXXXVIII.

Wappatoo Island Ap 3d 1835
Friend Weld

I write, btit do not know when I will have an op-
portunity to send. I am in the mood which you know is always
enough for me. If I were at Cambridge the wine would suffer
to night and you prett}' well know who would be the compain'.
I have had a severe winter of it. All my men have l)een sick ex-
cept myself and one man and nothing but pure obstinacy has
kept me from toeing hauled up. It may be interesting, to you to
know a little of what I am doing. In the first place I got here
somehow not worth relating. \Vhen here found my Brig not ar-
[r]ived but outside the bar. Went down the river and met her
coming up. This was on the nth vSept. and entirely after salmon
time. Her late arrival was occasioned bj- having been struck with
lightenuigand being in consequence obliged toputinto \'alparais(»
to repair. After shaking hands, set al>out arranging a party to
send to a Fort which I have built among the Rocky Mts. This
party consisted of Capt. Thing 13 Sandwich Islanders and S
whites. They proceeded about 200 miles up the Columbia in-
land at the same time I took a party of 4 Sandwich Islanders and
16 whiles and followed inland 150 and got news that Capt
Things Islanders had all run away from him. This obliged me
to spare all my Islanders, and all but 6 of my whites to enable
Capt. Thing to proceed to Fort Hall. With the residue I pro-
ceeded to look up the deserters. I struck south thinking that
they might have started for CaUfornia. This was the middle of
Nov. During Dec. Jany. and Feb. I got no news from them.
About the first of March I heard that some of them were near the
Columbia. On this I changed my route and struck that river
where I learned from the Inds. that 7 ol them had passed down
five days Ijefore. I followed and overtook them about 80 miles
from the mouth of the river 7 in number and took them to Fort
William our establishment on Wappatoo Island about 75 miles
up the Columbia at the mouth of the Multnomah, Two were

9061

WYKTIIS ORJUUKN ICXIMUHTIONS.

killed by the Itulians one was drowned and one froze to death
in the Mts. and two are still unacLc]ounted for as yet. On arriving
here I set alxint preparing for fishing. Have commenced a
house IJoat 70 feet long for a conveyance abont to the different
fisherys. Have finished a canoe 60 feet long 3 feet wide 2 y^
deep of one tree which has not a shake or [k]not in it, and thir,
after cutting off thirty feet of clear stuff from the same tree, and
still this is by no means a large tree here. I think I could find
trees here free from shakes or [k]notsthat would square 4 feet one
hundred feet long. It is quite a job to make ojie of these canoes'.
I have heard to day that our Brig has arrived at the mouth of
the river from the vSandwich Islands whither she went last
winter with a cargo of Lumber, and I expect more buisness more
company and more provisions soon the last not the least desirable
of the three. This W'appatoo Island which I have selected for
our establishment is about 15 miles long and about average
of three wide. On one side runs the Columbia on the other the
Multnomah. It consists of woodlands and praire and on it there
is considerable deer and those who could spare time to hunt
might live well but a mortality has carried off to a man its in-
habitants and there is nothing to attest that they ever existed ex-
cept their decaying houses, their graves and their unburied bones
of which there are heaps. So you see as the righteous people of New
England say providence has made room for me and without doing
them more injury than I should if I had made room for myself
viz Killing them off. I often think of the old knot of cronies
about thetow!! with whom I used to spend so much time especi-
al[l]y of an evening. When I sit down in my lodge on the ground
and contrast th" past with the present and wonder if the
future will ^'ve us t inch difference and which way the difference
will ^ f bctif'V <>'■ .vorse?

It hai^ '. litit'l uini'ist continually from last Oct. to this time but
stii! the e has bef."i no cold weather except in the mountains at
gre' I r'-evcjiM^ins.

Isow i do [ >i \vish this letter published I do hate every thing
in print.

I am yr F'riend and Servt. Nathl. J. Wyeth

CCXXXIX.

Fort William Sept 6th 1S35
Frederic Tudor Esq.

Sir My last was dated Oct. 6th 1834 from this place,
I have not received one letter from the States sitice I left. A
package came into the Indian country- for me but fell into the
hands -of another Co. and was detained. Possibly' you might have
writ[t]en by that channel. This buisness has not been successful
in any of its branches therefore it will terminate soon. I shall
not order another equipment to this country until I see again

ISO

CORR ESPON DRXC K:

[207

those concerned with me, and if I know the people they will be
the last to go very far in any buisness that commences unprofit-
ably. If I meet with no fatal accident I shall be in Boston b^'
the ist Nov. 1836 and probably if any opening opens adequate to
my wants I shall not after leave it. I need not disguise from you
that I must have a living somewhere and that there is no kind of
buisness for which I am in any way competent except my original vo-
cation, which I so heartily det'^st that I will loose my scalp before
I will reengage in it, and the Ice buisness, and that in the latter
I have no prospect except through yourself. The buis'ic-ss 1 am
in must be closed not that it might not be made a good r<!ie
but because those who are now engaged in it are not the men to
make it so. The smallest loss makes them "fly the handle" and
such can rarely succeed in a new buisness. This your own ex-
perience will justify. Personally I have no means to prosecute
the buisness further and, however mortifying, must gi^e : ; up.
My intention is to return and if I can obtain any scituation tnat I
am not ashamed of, to remain, if not the woods will alway[s] sup-
ply the wants of one who is not lazy and where pride is not con-
cerned wants but little. These things I state in plain language
l)ecause I for[e]see that v'hen I may arrive in Boston the case will
admit of no delay. I have then to make the last election of my
course for life and whether such course prove comfortable to my-
self or not I shall stick to it. I cannot hope after what I have
done that you should have so much regard to my wishes as to
alter any arrangement that you may have made of your buisness
in order to give me a place but I am bound to avail myself of all
the chances in m^' reach to live.

Since writing you last we have lost by drowning. Scalping &c
14 person;, none by natural death altho the country is sickly.
Loss of property from liostility of Indians has been considerable.

I have taken the liberty to send you a ^ bbl. of plain salt-
ed salmon which I hope you will find good. We do not this year
send home more than half a cargo.

I am off for the interior about the first next
month. The winter will not admit of starting
later. I am therefore obliged to trust the putting up of the
salmon for my friends at home to Capt. Lambert. vShould there
be any unsuitableness in it, I ask you to excuse it with the same
good feeling you used to overlook more serious failings.

I am Your obt Servt. Nathl. J. Wyeth

CCXL.

Fort William Sept 6th 1835
Friend Brown

Doubtless 3'ou have observed in your quondam associ-
ate some s/Hii// imperfections, and altho he may now have no

208]

WYRTH'S ORK(.;OX F.XPKDITIONS.

151

temptation, yet the grain may be stil[lj in hira. A quotation from
an author you used sometimes to read will do for his creed

"My son these maxims make a rule,

And lump them ay the gether;

The rigid righteous is a fool,

The rigid wise anither:

The cleaticst corn that e'er was diglit

May hae some pyles o' Chaff in;

vSo ne'er a fellow creature s/i\i>///

For random fits o' daffin.["]
I am disappointed in not having rec[e]ived a single letter from
home since I left the frontier settlements, while others have. I
know it is not reasonable that those who loose but one compan-
ion should feel as much as those who loose all. A letter to the
last is in the shape of food to the hungry r-an. The benevo-
lent bestow in proportion to the want, therefore 3'ou should write
me two letters for one. I am not scolding you for your good but
for my own. I am in hopes to make you write either by force or
fraud but whether you do so or not I am determined to continue
the correspondence until you acknowledge me to be as bad as the
old man who rode Sind Bad the vSailor and perhaps you may get
rid of me in the same way.

My last was dated Oct. 6th 1834 frftra this place since which
time there has been the Devils own work in this Country 14 of our
people drowned and killed and much property lost. Personally I
am still happy go lucky with only a broken toe and two or three
upsettings in cold water. This you know I am used to. I ex-
pect to come to Boston about Nov. ist 1836. perhaps to stop. We
this year put up about a half a cargo of Salmon >^ bbl. of which
you will find marked with your name also one for my Father one
for my wife for Leond Jarvis Chas Wyeth Leond 1 Wyeth. N. J
Wyeth and Frederic Tudor. Any expense please charge to me.
Will you give my sincere respects to your wife and a kiss all the
little ones known and unknown and believe me one of those
whose friendships hold from youth to age who has some ac-
quaintances who are not friends and some friends who are not ac-
quaintances and one who is friend and acqu ii'uance, and only
one.

Vrs &c Xuthl. J. Wyeth.
CCXM.

Columbia River vSept 20th 1835
Leonard Jarvis Esq. (Baltimore Md.)

Dear Uncle My last was from this place dated
Oct. 6th 1834. We have had a bad season for salmon. About
half of a cargo only obtained. The salmon part of the buisness
will never do. I have sent Vi a bbl. to you which you will re-
ceive through Mr. Brown. Capt. Lambert attends to putting

152

CORRKvSPONDKNCK:

[209

the Indians. Some
I leave this in a few
I intend in the spring

theai lip, on the voyage, as there is not time for me to do so be-
fore. If there should be any thing wrong you will excuse it on
this account. I am now a little better from a se\ere attack of
billions Fever. I did not expect to recover, and am still a wreck.
Our sick list has been this summer usually about one third the
whole number and the rest much frightened. 13 Deaths have oc-
curred l>eside some in the interior killed by
propervy has l^een lost also by Indians,
days for the interior to winter at P'ort Hall.

to return to this place and take up goods then I shall turn my
face toward the rising sun, and hope to have the pleasure of see-
ing you about the last of Oct. 1836. I some think of taking the
route by Santi Fee and N. Orleans but hostilities of the Indians
render it uii.:2rtaiu what route I may ba obliged to take but
without serious accident I shall not be far from that time. I am
surrounded with difficulties beyond any former period of my life
and without the health and spirit requisite to support them. In
this scituation you can judge if memory brings to me the warn-
ings of those (wiser and older) who advised a course which must
at least have resulted in quietness. Yes memory lends its powers
for torment. A few days ago she told me a tale which carried me
back to early life, led me through the varying shades of days and
years while at ever>' step the tale grew darker and at last delivered
me to [the] horrors of the present time. What at that moment
they were you may imagine, a buisness scattered over half the
deserts of the earth, and myse[l]f a powerless lump of matter in
the extremity of mortal pain with little hope of surviving a
day and if it could have been said "he never existed" glad to go
down with that sun. But with coming health comes also a sense of
the obligations that we are under and say to us "Up and be
doing."

The above my Dear Uncle are the clouds of sickness they will
pass off before I reach the mountains and the clear air of the upper
country. I have received no letters from home since leaving, '^'•ere
has been however a great number intercepted by one of the 3S.
in the mountains as I have heard. Perhaps you have written by
that route. You will remember me to my Aunt desire her
to accept that affectionate regard which she deserves from me.
That .she may pass without vicisCslitude through life is the wish of
at least one of her old pets. I will not presume to wish you any
definite good wish but only that all things may tend to complete
and fulfil your happiness.

l^^^ve me Dr vSir Yr Affte. Nephew Nathl. J. Wyeth

CCVLII.

Bro Charles (Baltimore 1

Columbia River Sept. 22a 1835

I am too buisA- and ton unwell to write

■f /■'*

9M|

WYRTTI'S ORROON i:XPKDITIONvS.

IS3

much even to you It sometimes appears to me that the nearer
the person is to whom I write the less competent is the mode to
the ideas I would wish to express. However this may be one
thing I know. That to my best friends I always write the short-
est letters in fact I had nearly writ[t]en you as short an epistle as
Caesars to the Senate viz "I am sick dead and buried" and yet I
am iiot "the vScipper" but the last principle of human life is not
extinct. Hope still maintains her throne and throws the mists of
futurity over the deformities and misfortunes that she cannot
hide.

Our salmon fishing has not succeeded. Half a cargo only ob-
tained. Our people are sick and dying off like rotten sheep of
billions disorders. I shall be off by the first next month to the
mountains and winter at Fort Hall. In the Spring I shall return
"nere then again to Fort Hal) and start about June to .see all in
the States, lucky if I get through with all this without accident.

I have sent ^ a bbl. Salmon to you which you will receive
through Mr. Brown. I hope they will be good but as I cannot
personally attend to putting them up I will not insure it. Now
Charley may God give you to enjoy life, may the wife be all a
wife should, and may the children be the solace of your age.

I am Vr. afte Bro Xathl. J. Wyeth.

CCXIJII.

Columbia River Sept. 2 2d 1835
Bro. Leonard (N York)

You often complain of short letters but as I get no
return at all even short ones are enough for yon.

Salmon half a cargo one third of our people on the sick list
continually, 17 dead to this date is the amount of the summer.
I am but just alive after having been so bad as to think of writ-
ing up my last letters.

I send you )4 a bbl.ofSalmon but as I can not attend to putting
them up myself you will excuse any imperfection. You will re-
ceive them through Mr. Brown. I am off for the Mts. to winter at
Fort Hall in about 6 days. I hope the winds of the hills will bring
me up. I intend to return to this place in the Spring then to
Santi Fee thence home by about the last of Oct. 1836.

Please give ray compliments to my sister and an affectionate
kiss to all u»y little nieces and nephew. My respects also to the
Messrs Osgoods and believe me

yr afte. Bro. Nathl J Wyeth

CCXMV.

Dear Parents

Columbia River vSept 2:!d i833[5]
I avail myseCllf of the last opportunity of writing

154

CORRKSPONDKNCR:

[211

3'ou for some time. I expect to be home by the ist Nov. next
year therefore this will be my last until I see you.

I have sent you >2 bbl. of Salmon which you will get through Mr.
Brown. I hope they will prove good but I could not put them up my-
self therefore if thay are not quite right lay it to anyone but me. I
have been very sick but have recovered. The season has been
very sickly and we obtained but about a half a cargo of Salmon.
I am off for the mountains in about 6 days. You may be sure
I am much hurried or I would write a longer letter.

I am yr afte. Son \athl. J. Wyeth.

CCXLV.

Columbia River .Sept. 22d 1835
Dear Wife

I have been very sick but have got well and shall be
on my way to the Mts. to winter at Fort Hall in about 6 da^'s. I
expect to be home about ist Nov. 1836. Mr Niittall is here and
well. I have sent you )^ bbl. vSalmon which I hope will be in
good order. I can not attend to putting them up myself there-
fore they may not be so good. The season has been very sickly.
We have lost by drowning and disease and warfare 1 7 persons to
this date and 14 now si'^k. Keep up good spirits my dear wife for
I expect when I come home to stop there and altho I shall be
poor yet we can always live. I hope to find my trees growing
when I come and all things comfortable. I think this will be
the last until I see you. Give my respects to your mother and
Aunt Rebecca my love to Sister Mary and Bro. Perry if you see
them. And believe me

Yr afte Husband N. J. W.

For letters after this date see small letter Book.
[The book referred to has not vet l^een found.]

JOURNAL OF CAPTAIN NATHANIEL J. WYETH'S
EXPEDITIONS TO THE OREGON COUNTRY.

[The book coiitaitiing the Journal has been mutilated. There are
traces of the removal of four leaves just preceding the page that
has the first of the narrative preserved. According to "Wyeth's
Oregon Expedition' ' the Wyeth party on his first expedition left
Independence, Mo., May 3rd., 1832. June 6th would thus have
been the thirty-fifth day on the route.]

[June 6th, 1832.]
gray and my face like a plumb pudding the skin is entirely
bare [?] of skin is entirely off one of ni}- ears On the bluf[f]s
the ghnats are equally troublesome but they do not annoy us much
except in the day. Geese appear here mated and I have seen
some broods of gooselings. Some rain last night, still barren
and grass bad our horses about the same our men troubled
with the relax toward night found buffaloe killed one which
made a scanty meal for all hands for supper made 25 miles

7th Started out hunting killed two antelope about 10 saw
a herd of Buffaloe crossing the River waited til they rose the
Bank and commenced slaughter killed 3 and wounded many
more these afforded a timely supply to the party and we ate
heartCil]}'. Saw today the first appearance of muskrat since leav-
the settlements also Pelicans. Last night in cutting a tree for
fuel caught two 3'oung grey Eagles one of which we ate and found
it tender and good also a Badger saw some rattlesnakes and some
other kinds not known to me the men [horses?] appear a little
better the men [horses?] about the same Thr. go deg. wind S. H.
my face so .swelled from the musquitoes and ghnats that I can scarce
see out of my eyes and aches like the tooth ache

9th I date this the same* on ace of a mistake of a day her[e]-
tofore made 30 miles and yesterday 25 arrived at the Chimney or
Elk Brick the Indian name this singular object looks like a
monument about 200 feet high and is composed of layers of sand
and lime stone in layers che sand blowing out lets the lime rock
fall down and this action has in time reduced what was once a

*'\Saine" here seems to mean "as I do".

'56

JOIRXAI/.

[213

hill to a spire of nearly the same dimensions at top and bottom it
looks like a work of art and the layers like the ranges of stone it
is scituated about 3 miles from the river. Rain and thunder at
night wind strong S. E. river as muddy as ever the bluf[f]s for
the last 20 miles have occasionally a few stinted trees apparently
Pitch pine and cedar the small streams that here empty into the
Platte are frequently dry near the river during the day while
above they are running free while at night there is rutuiing water
entirely to the river Party in better order Horses about the
same we now judge ourselves within 4 davs march of the Black
Hills

loth. 28 miles, 2 BuflFaloe

r I th 30 miles, 6 BuflFaloe

1 2th Nothing remarkeable crossed Wild Horse Creek coming
in from the S.

13th Came in sight of the Bla«^k hills and crossed
Larriraee fork of the Platte in getting over one of my rafts
broke the tow line the raft went down stream lodged on a snag
and upset wetting most of the goods on it and loosing two Horse
loads as it lodged in the middle of the river and the stream [being]
very rappid the goods were with difficulty passed ashore here
an alarm was occasioned by the appearance of 4 men on the bluf[f]s
behind us and an attack was expected every moment which would
have been bad as our party was much scattered in crossing
They However proved to be apart of a party of 19 men in the em-
ploy of Gant & Blackwell, They last winter lost all but 3 of their
animals and in going to Sante Fee got enclosed by snow in the
mountains and nearly starved to Death, and at first they were
hard to tell from Indians or devils they are now in good health
having felt well for some time all of them joined Mr. Fitzpatricks
party and proceeded on foot with us to the mountains. Killed an
antelope

14th r,tarted late and left the river at which we had en-
camped and proceeded 16 miles killed one antelope and one elk

15th went out for game killed one antelope, 2 deer 2 Buff-
aloe made this day 20 miles and
hills the country is now thinly
Pitch pine cedar and cotton wood
among which are the cherry-, currant and thorn wild sage here
almost covers the country and is a plant of many years gro[w]th

arrived at camp found the company had killed plenty of BuflTaloe
and were encamped on a small stream coming in from the vS. 20
miles.

1 6th Warm in mng. cold and rainy in the afternoon a little
hard snow on the Peak of the Black hills a white Bear was seen
this day Black ones for some days past. The lime rock still con-
tinues primitive peb[b]les in the streams and on the knols the

passed the first of the Black

wooded with Box Elder ash

and a variety of small shrubs

2I4l

wvi-rnrs i-mrst kxpivdition.

>.S7

hills pointed up very sharp from the same cause as the Chimney

the country appears desolate and dreary in the extreme no one
can conceive of the utter desolation of this region nevertheless
the earth is decorated with a variety of beautiful! iiowers and all
unknown to me hard travelling disenables our botanist to exam-
ine them we have on the whole meat enough but the supply is
too unsteady. There are here two kinds of Rabbits the largest
weighing al)Out 1 5 lbs ears 6 inches long plover and other marsh
birds a[re] common and some 2 or 3 kitids of (iuUs. Struck the
Platte river again here about 100 yds wide the water high and
rapid we here find a small kind of Parsnip the blossom yellow
root about 5 inches long '2 inch thick of more than one years
gro[with the men appear better Horses about the same made
this day 20 miles

17th Wind high N. \V. Ther 40 a drear and cheerless day
made 25 miles killed 3 Buftaloe i antelope i Deer crossed 2
small streams from the Black hills running into the Platte saw
sotue rabbits & white bears Hops.

uS reached the place for fording the platte

? 9th Passed over my goods during a severe wind without ac-
cident

20th Mr Subblettee passed over his goods and at night mooved
on about 3 rniles

2ist Made along march of 3 miles during which one of my
Horses gave out killed this day 3 Buffaloe and fired at a white
bear arrived at camp al 1 1 ock at night. I have ommitted
one day on the other side of the Platte I date this right we ar-
rived at Rock Independence at noon after a march of 1 5 miles

23=^ Yesterday we left the Platte and struck the Sweet water on
which this rock stands it is scituated in a gorge within 30 feet
of the stream atid is granite today is warm last night frost and
the two last days cold and disagreable from this time to 2nd July
frost each night and snow once our course lay in various direc -
tions from vS. W. to N. W. following the Sweet water and leaving
the first snowy mountains on the right hand on the 29th we
crossed on to the head waters of the Colorado during all this time
we found abundance of Buflfaloe the travelling good but the grass
poor the streams all fordable but rapid five streams have been
crossed to this time and we are now encamped on the 6th all
running into the Colorado trout are found here also some beav-
er Some of my men talk of turning l)ack and I give them all
free liberty many of ray horses have given out and the rest are
failing fast and unless we soon come to better grass they will all
die a'.id leave me on foot the waters ruiuiing into Lewis river

*Tlie "23" is placed a little above and to the left of tile word "left".
l''roin the 2rst on the jonriial was evideiillv not written iij) until the even-
ing oi July 2nd.

r.sS

JOrRNAI,:

[2>S

jire not more lliiiii S miles (Hslaiil, on the creek where we are
there are pitie trees in shape likLe] a Balsam tree leaves like a
intch pine Bark rou^h yellowish and scaly The mountains in
this region are not conspicuous are isolated and admittitig free
passage between them in any direction the creeks are sufficiently
numerous for watering but feed is poor the ist [of] July we rested
all the afternoon a respite quite acceptable to our wear>'' legs
Our average during these days alxjut 20 miles but in some cases
<|uite circuitous White l)ears are seen but none have been killed.
Wolves and antelopes plenty, King fishers Our hunters have
just l)rought part of 4 Huffaloe At night encamped on the same
creek that we passed this mng. and soon after were visited by 6
men from Dripps & Fontenelles concern who with 13 others are
encamped 5 miles from this place. This night at alx^ut 12 ock.
we were attacked by Indians probalily the lilackfoot. They ap-
]iroached within 50 yds. and fired about 40 shots into the camp
and some arrows tliey wounded three animals got 5 from Mr. vSub-
l>lette One from an Independent hunter !Uid 4 which I left out
of cam]) for letter feed mine were all poor and sore backed and
useless

3rd DccamiX'd and in company with tlie men alK)ve men-
tioned proceeded to their camp and passed on to our route which
lay W. This night encam])C(lon the waters of the Colorado 25
miles

4th Def^nnped and at noon crossed the divide and drank to
my friends with mingled feelings from the waters of the Columbia
mixed with alcohol and eat of a Buffaloe cow made this day y>
miles and 25 yesterday The snow clad mountains now entirely
surround us the streams this side increase rapidly. One bear
seen this day the grass much better and some fertile land here
the eartli in some places was frozen snow yesterday and todaj'.
Three of m>- men are sick and I have no spare animals for them.

5th We i^assed along a wooded River and through a very dif-
ficult road by its side so steep that one of m\- Horses loo.sing his
foothold in the path was reeled down about loc:) feet into the river
he was recovered but so much injured as we had to leave him
shortly after. Made this day 20 miles

6th We niarchefl early and at 2 ock stop[p]ed on Lewis river
and within 20 miles of the Trois Tetons three ven- conspicuous
snow covered mountains visible in all this region this river here
runs nearh' S. and is divided over a Ixittom alx)ul 2 miles and in-
to S streams very rapid and difficult the.se we forded which con-
sumed the time until night and encamped after ra.ikiug iS miles
on the W. bank with no grass, in the morning of the 7th we
proceed[ed] up a small brook coming '-,mi a gap of the mountains
due south of the Trois Tetons and passed the range of mountains
of this range without much difficulty it is a good pass for such a
range and fresh animals would have no difficulty in passing

>i6

WN'I'.TIfS IMRST I'Xl'l'DITinx.

■ 5^)

tlirouj^h it (',1 the lii^hest j)()iiil we had snow accompanied with
heavy thutidf r and being out of meat fed ui)on the iinier hark of
the Balsam trees a tree similar if not the same with the Ivastern
Balsam[?l At Xight we encamped at the foot of the pass on the
western side and at the commencement of a large valley with sev-
eral streams rumiing through it into Lewis River surrounded
with high and snow clad mountains The weather is here warm
in the day time hut frost every night the grass is good tiie land
ordinary. On the <Hth we proceed[edJ into the plain and after a
march of lo miles arrived at the rendesvous of the hunters of
this region here we found about 120 Lodges of the Nc/ Perces
and about 80 of the Flatheads a company of trappers of about 90
under Mr. Dripps of the firm of Dripps (Jt Fontenelle coiuiected
with the American P\ir Co. Many independent Hunters and
about TOO men of the Rocky Mountain Fur Co under Mess .Mil-
ton vSublette and Mr Frapp. I remained at this encampment un-
til the 17th during which time all my men l)ut 1 1 left me to
the.se I gave such articles as I could spare from theneces[s]ities of
my own Party and let them go. While here I obtained i>S Horses
ill exchange for those which were worn out and for a few toys
such as Heads Hells red and Hlue cloth, Powder atid Halls fisli
liooks Vermillion old Blanketts We also supplied ourselves with
Hufl'aloe robes we have now a good outfit and here we found
plenty of meat which can l)e had of the Indians for a trifle On
the lytli we put out and steLelred vS. IC. in direction to a pass
through the same mountains by which we entered the valley
these Mts. run Iv <S: W. and the pass I refer to is the next Iv of
the one refer[r]ed to and through it the waters of this valley reach
Lewis River which is on the vS. side of tViis range at night we en-
camped within about S miles of the commencement of the pass On
the iSth we did not leave cam)) when near starti:,g we ol)«erved
2 partys of Indians coming out of the pass aliout 200 in numb::;r
with but few horses after securing our camp our riders went out
to meet them and soon iound them to be Hlackfeet a little
skirmisli en.sued one of the Hlackfeet was killed and liis Hlanketl
and robe l)rought into camp on this the Indians made for the
timber the women and children were seen flying to the mountains
at this time only 42 men being the party ot Mess Milton Sublette
&^ I'Vapp mine and a few Independent Hunters were in sight and
the luilians were disposed to give us their usual treatment when
the>' meet us in small bodies but while the Indians wc[re] making
their preparations we sent an exjiress to camp which soon brought
out a smart force of Xez Perces Flatheads and whites the Indians
finding they were caught fortified themselves in a masterly man-
ner in the wood. We attacked them and continued the attack all
day there were probably about 20 of them killed and 32 horses
were found dead They decamped iluring the night leaving most
of their utensials lodges .Kic and many of tlie dead we have lost

l6(

forkNAI,:

l-'7

^.}

T, whiles killed S hadly wouiuk'd atnoiiji; which is Mr \Vm. Suh-
lettc who was extremely active in the ])attle about lo of the
Indians were killed or mortally wounded of the Xcz I'erces and
Flatheads in the morning we visited their deserted fort they
had du^ into the ground to reach water and to secure themselves
from our shot It was a sickening scene of confusion and Rlood-
Lslhead one of our men who was killed inside-*- their fort we found
mutilated in a shocking manner on the 19th we removed back
to our former ground to be near out whole force and to recruit
the wounded and bur>' the dead. We think that 400 lodges or about
600 warriors of the Hlackfeet are on the other side of the pass and
if they come the>' must be met with our whole force in which case
the contest will be a doubtful one. We have mad[e] Morse pens
and secured our camp iti as good a manner as we can and wait
the result this affair will detaiti us some days. On 24th we
again moved out of the valley in the same direction as at first viz
alK)ut S. IC. and encamped at night in the gorge of it during the
march I visited the scene of our conflict for the first time since
the bat*;le the din of arms was now changed into the noise of
the vulture and the howling of masterless dogs the stench was
extreme most of the men in the fort must have perished I soon
retired from this scene of disgusting butchery On the 25th we
proceeded through the pass which is tolerably good and in a direc-
tion of about S. W. by S. and encamped 15 miles on Lewis
River (here concentrated into one rapid stream) and about 30
miles S. of where we crossed it in going into the valley we are
now employed in making bull boats in order to cross it One
Hufifaloe and some antelope killed today 26 crossed the river in a
bull boat without accident in 4 hours and moved on in a westerly
direction about 4 miles when we struck into a deep ravine with a
little water in it this ravitie is bordered by high presipices on
each side and is small 3 miles up this we encamped for the night
this stream is called Muddy as there is several of this name it is
requisite to distinguish this by the cognomen of Muddy that falls
i'lto [the] "Lewis"

26th we moved up the Muddy until we found the forks of it
then followed the Right hand say 3 miles then took a south
direction and struck another stream (small) and ruiuiing in the
opposite direction this we followed aV)out 5 mil[eJ.-> making 15
this day and encamped

27th. We moved down the stream until its junction with an-
other called Orays creek which we crossed and assended a high
bluff and travelled an average course of S. W^ and encamped on
a small creek making 15 miles this day 2 days since I first this
side the mountain met with the prickly pear and since leaving

■••The word "inside" is orosseil out with pencil and "near" wrilte.i above
it with pencil.

■jsKKBiitjOUat

^^e^xxxixii^tDn^.ijaKXLtisia:^ ^

aiS]

WVFvTirS I'IRST J-Nl'l'DITlON'.

t«l

the valley of ilie Rendesvous the fruit that was fjjreen one »lay
is ripe the next. The nij^hts are still t'rosty but the days are very
warm as in N. K. at this time iruits we have 3 kinds [ofj cur-
rants one of ^"oseherry all difl'erent from tliose of the l'. .S. and
Service berrys all the Hrst are sour the latter sweet 'lie coun-
try throujjh which we have travelled for these two days past
has a stronj^ volcanic appearance tlie streams occupy what ap-
pear to be but the cralclks of an over heated surface tlu- rocks
are blown up in blubbers like a smiths cinders some rocks ten
feet through are but a shell being hollow. A substance abounds
like bottle glass of about the same wei',ht not so transparent
about as brittle the fracture is smooth and glossy with tlie ex-
ception of the cracks as above the country is tolerably level for
a mountainous country but excessively dry. During our first
days march from Lewis River !)eside the ravine above men-
tioned we passed threecraters of small volcanoes, ( as I suppose ) and
I am told there is a boiling spring near the same place \Ve here
find buftaloe plenty and fat and entirely <lifferent from those met
with in the Spring on the Platte it is preferable to the best beef.
Our party have taken lice from the Indians they are a great
trouble as well as the Musquitoes these last trouble us in the
day but the frost seals their wings at night when tlie first relieve
them until morning.

On the 2S we moved in a direction alwut S. W. and during the
march took the bearing of the Trois Tetons which was X. Iv. by
K. and I think 75 miles we made 7 miles and encamped on a
little stream meandering through a valley of about 100 acres of
fine Black land with the grass as good as the buflfaloe and the
cold weather could admit of. Here we found plenty of cows and
more Bulls 13 of the first were killed they were fat and we stop-
]ied to make meat the.se cows were killed by running them down
which is a dangerous method expensive in horses and Re([uiring
much skill in Riding We of course were obliged to employ help
for none could be got by approaching while they were Running
them

29th We remained all day making meat with a hot sun tliis
morning sent 3 men down the creek fishing they caught 21 vSal-
mon Trout and returned at 10 this afternoon it rained hani and
during the storm the squaw of one of the party was delivered of
a Boy in the bushes whither she had retired for the purpo.se it[s]
head was thickly covered with Black hair it was as white as is
usual with the whites in le.ss than an hour afterwards the scjuaw
made her appearance in camp as well and able for a days travel
as usual it continued raining all night and until S of the 30
on which ace. our march was defer[r]ed for the day which was
afterward fine and our meat dried well. 4 Beavers were caught
from about 12 traps last night daring this day one of the pariv
saw an Indian which must have been a Blackfoot as otherwise he

IMAGE EVALUATION
TEST TARGET (MT-3)

'4^ ^

III

1.0 ^Bi us

^ lU 12.2
"f hS. 12.0

I.I

>>^

4*^^

^j^
■^

Hiotographic

Sciences

Corporation

<«^:*^<5. ^

23 WfST MAIN STMIT

«»UTIR,N.Y. 14SM

(7I6)«72-45C3

^.^*
^

■\

162

[OIRNAI.:

r2'9

would have come to camp yesterday and today we had Thunder
& Hail as well as rain.

ist. Augt I date this the ist. on ace. of having missed a day in
the time past. This day we made about 1 5 miles in a S. W.
direction and most of the way in a deep vallej' and encamped on
a small creek running into one called Blackfoot this latter is the
second stream we have passed which em[p]ties into S. fork of I^ewis
River the first was called Grays River and is riso small (this
since crosr.ing Lewis River) Here we stopped until the 4th to
make meat of which I made enough to eat and no more while the
other two parties who had go[o]dbuRaloe Riders and Horses made
considerable while her[e] we lost one Horse while attempting to
Run Buffaloe by throwing his Rider and Running among the
Buffaloe and going off with them I sent out a party to get fish
of two men they Returned with about a peck of craw fish and a
dozen of trout these average about ilb atid are fine eating. We
have here the Sandhill Cranes in plenty. On the 4th we moved
due south and crossed Blackfoot and struck over to a stream em-
tying into the same as Blackfoot called Portneuf from a man kill-
ed near it iS miles here we found Buffaloe in the bottom and the
Hunters are now out Running them. Here we remained this day
and the 5th whe:i the men I had sent out to hunt the horse re-
turned as I had expected them on the 4th I was much alarmed
for their saf[e]ty l)eing in u dangerous country while here we
made 7 bales meat On the 5th. we raooved S. down the valley
3 miles and encamped on a creek running into the valley on the
7th we made 21 miles first down the N. side of the valley and
taking the first creek running out of the valley then in a S. W.
direction and encamped on it from the valley above mentioned
rises Bear River running into the the Big Salt Lake distant
about S. E. 50 miles Curra:t:. and service benys are now ripe.
I have been sick from indigestion for some days more so than i
ever was before. We have here the Sandhill Crane Turtle dove
Robbin Blackbirds (Crow & Cow) Kingfishers Black & Mallard
Ducks, Oe[e]se. We find meat making a tedious buisness. On
the 8th we moved S. W. 15 miles following the main Portneuf
out of ttie valley for about 12 miles then took one of its tributaries
for about 3 miles and encamped on the S. W. side of the
val[l]ey in which this branch rii ns here we cached 6 Horse loads
of goods and remained on the 9th & loth & nth moved on in
a S. W. direction not following any stream but passing the ridge
Iwrdering the valley in a low place near where a small run puts
into the valley from a very rugged pass. We made this day 15
miles and encami^ed on a small run going into [the] Portneuf.

1 2th We made in a S. W. direction about 6 miles not follow-
ing any stream but encamped on a very small run with poor grass.

13 We made 24 miles in a west and by N. direction and met
no water for this distance and encamped on a very small run issu-

22o]

WYKTirS I'IRST RXPKDITKIN.

1 6.^

iug from a spring a few miles from Lewis River we are here in
sight of the River running through an extensive valley in a S. W.
d'irection here are the American falls the place may 1^ known
by several high and detached hills arising from the plain the falls
at one place [are] 22 feet and the Rapids extend a considerable
distance down the River We found here plenty of Buffaloe sign
and the Pawnacks come here to winter often on account of the
Buffaloe we now find no buffaloe there are here abundance of
Service berrys now ripe during a short walk from cp.mp this
mug. I saw a buff colored fox with a white tip on his tail.
Wolves here serenade us ever>' night making more noise than 30
village dogs and better music for they keep in chord and display
more science yesterday we parted from 16 men bound out trap-
ping. We are now in a couptr>' which affords no small game and
a precarious chance for Buffaloe

14th We made 30 miles in a S. W. direction and encamped
on a creek called Casu* River it joins the main River below the
Am. falls. This days Ride was through an excessively barren
country with no water between the two last camps on the N.
side of the Lewis River and about 50 miles distant from it is a
range of snowy mounts. [There are]also two or three points in the
chain of this side with snow on them.

15th We made along the banks of the Ocassia about 25 miles
and encamped on the west bank of it. The valley of the Ocassia
is about 4 miles wide and of a rich soil but th<i excessive cold and
drouth of this country' prevents vegetation from assuming a fer-
tile character. The air is so dry that percussion caps explode
without striking and I am obliged to put the caps on and fire im-
mediately except in the night when we consider it safe to keep
the caps on the guns we have in this country a large kind of
black crickett 2 inches long said to be used as foodhy the Indians
they are in great numbers and roost on the sage at noonday
ihere are also in the streams abundance of craw-fish we see an-
telope and old buffaloe sign

1 6th We made 25 miles up the same side of the Ocassia then
crossed it and followed vS. W. 3 miles and encamped on a small
mountain run making in all 28 miles in a W by S. direction
yesterdays march was in a direction W by S.

17th We moved in a W. by S. direction about 15 miles to a
creek putting into Lewis River on which we found no beaver of
consequence having been trap[p]ed out by the H. B. Co. some
years before.

1 8th We moved out up the creek about Smiles and still found
no beaver saw one Pidgeon Woodpecker this creek runs through
what are called cut rocks otherwise volcanic in this region I
found one mountain of Mica Slate enclosing garnetts. The Ba-

*';"he name is thus written above "Ocpssia" crossed out.

JOIRNAI.:

[aai

saltic rock appears to be the same formerly and the remains of
the Oarnetts are in some cases to be seen, also I have found
here granite in small blocks there is also much white sand-
stone compact the clefts [cliflFs?] on each side of this creek are
high and perpendicular but the bottom affords good grass for this
conntr>'. There is no timber except willrw and alder in the bot-
tom and cedar on the hills this days course alwu S. along the
cr.'ek

19th We moved up the creek alwut 12 miles in a S. VV. di-
rection there was still little l>eaver this afternoon I took 2 men
and proceeded from camp about 8 miles al)Out V\'. following the
creel' and slept there at sunrise on the 20th we moved up al>out
1 2 miles in a W direction and while I was engaged in the l)rook
setting a trap we found three Indians following us the two men
were on the bank and were seen but myself in the creek was un-
noticed when they crossed to go to the men I presented my
pistol to the first one who made a precipitate retreat back while I
made mine to my gun having got which I bec[k]oned them to come
to me which they did we then went to camp which we found
had moved this day about 10 miles in same direction these In-
dians were Snakes the first we had seen during the march the
party passed a hot spring the countr>' still volcanic.

2ist We followed the creek in a N. Vv . direction about 5 miles
when we met a village of the Snakes of alxmt 150 persons having
about 75 Horses they were poorly off for food and clothing but
perfectly friendly they are diminutive i. person and lean. Wv
encamped to trade with them but did nothing except getting a
few skins for moccasins this morning caught my fiist Heaver a
large one.

22«:a We followed the same creek alwut 2 miltejs and then
struck into a ravine in a west direction and in about 6 miles came
to a warm spring near a cold one which formed a run which
we followed in a west by S. direction this we followed aliout 2
miles and encamped making this day iS miles

22nd We proceed[ed] in a S. VV. direction and struck the
same stream on another branch about 2 mils from the junction
al)out 15 mils this day these two streams unite and run in a N.
direction through impassable cut rocks this night caught 2
Beaver and slept out of camp.

24th PnKeed up the creek in a S. W. by W. direction alxDut
iS miles then in a W. by N. direction alxiut 6 miles. The last
half of this days travel was through clefts of Scienite rock pretty
.well broke to pieces by heat apparently we have here 2 kinds of
Liz[7.]ards the one like that of the United States as far as I could
see the other shorter and more sluggish here we find the banks
of the streams lined with Diggers Camps and Trails but they are
shy and can seldom lie spoken and then there is no one who
could understand them and they appear to know little alwut the

[22!

J32\

WVICTirS I'lRST MXrivDITION.

165
from

signs which afTord other Indians a mode of intellio;ence
this region sp«rcimens No. i are obtained.

25th We made in a W. direction along the same creek 20
miles,

26th In a W by N. direction al)out 20 miles

27th In a S \V direction toward a snowy mountain and leav-
ing the last creek 24 rails and struck one here running S. Iv.
Country desolate in the extreme most of the creeks which have
water in them on the mountains dry uj) in the plains )f
this region

2Sth did not move more than 2 mils up.

29th About 5 miles in a S. \V. Direction to cross a range of
high hills until we struck a creek running in a N. W. direction
which we followed 12 mils and encamped where the creek goes
into the cut rocks this day we parted from Mr. Sublett[e]s j^arty
with feeling of regrett for this party have treated us with great
kindness wliich I shall long remember.

.^oth We followed the creek in a N. W. direction about 12 mils
through tremenduous cut rocks I went ahead to look the route I
passed the smoking fires of Indians who had just left 4 of whom I
saw rutniing up the mountain endeavoured by signs to induce them
to come to me but could not ^>oon after I came to another camp
I happened to find their plunder this induced them to come to
lue 3 men one boy 4 women from these Indians I procured fresh
vSalmon vSprwn which was very encouraging as we are nearly out
of provisions and the country would afford us a scanty subsist-
ence I gave these Indians a few small presents to convince
them of our friendly disposition. This day for the first time in
this country saw raspberr\-s these Indians gave me a cake made
of service berrs's quite good they had about a Dozen of spotted
fish of a kind I hjid never seen resembling a Tom-cod. These
Indians are small alwut t2o of a good countenance they are
Snakes or Sosshonees.

30th* We followed the same creek and made alMuit 15 [miles] in a
X. N. W, direction through a continued defile in many places ad-
mitting just room for the water through which in many pl.ices
we were obliged to make our way The mountains on eacli side
are alK)ut 1000 feet above tlie creek which has a rapid dev.~ent
here are a small fish al)ou'. 141b, similar to a trout but with large
dark spots. We meet hei •? plenty of cherrys currants and goose-
l)errys the latter sour. Th-^ last of yesterdays and the first of to-
<lays route lay through IV, piiritii' Oranite rocks in their natural
state the latter ]>art of to days was through a stratified blue
sandstone untouched l)v fire for a short distance then assumed a

*Tlie author seems to h.ivc lost his hearitij^s with liis dales. His unoer-
laiiity first al)l)ears oil the 17th and coiitimies ])ateiitly tliroujjli to the 4th
])r«<x.

i()b

lOlRNAl,:

\ ".>

>'olcainc appearance. This day we assetitled Ihc highest mount-
ain in sight and found the exhibit an indescribable chaos the
tops of the hills exhibit the same strata as far as the eye can reach
ami appear to[havolouce ft)rm[ed] the lewl of the country and the
vall[ejy to be formed by the sinking of the earth rather than the
rising of the hills through the deep cracks and chasms thus form-
ed the rivers and creeks of this country creeji which renders
ihem of the most difficult character to follow in the brooks we
have fresh water clams on which we look with some feeling for
*<ie small (juantity of Huffaloe meat now ren>ai!>ing admonislies us
loiik for some other means of living game there is little and be-
itig oblige<l to travel prevents <mr hunting much, from this
])lace the sjiecimen in Bag No. i of vitrified (juartz was taken.

31st We fi>llowed the stime creek alx>ut 4 miles in a N. direc-
li«)n then took a dry ravine 2 miles in a S. Iv then :n a N. direc-
tion and then followed down another dry ravine alwut i mile
»vhen the rtx^ks on each side closed over the top and formed a
natural Bridge elevated about 50 feet while the sides approached to
within 20 feet of each other and the bottom decended perpendicular-
ly alwut 60 feet Ww of course returned on our trail aiid then
ste[e]red a N. li. direction a1x)Ut 4 miles and encamped on a little
ravine in v/hich there was only a little water stantling in deep
])laces and barely enough for us and our horses. The first half
mile of our route lay through the be<l of the creek and among
rocks from i foot to 3 or 4 in diameter this was a very dif-
ficult task and several of our horses fell in the water this day
we lost two horses which gave out the country still l)ears the
same appearance as lor several days past.

2ml Sept. We left our camp in the ravine assended to the
height of land which we found to be a high level plain over which
we marched in a N. X. W. direction and found during a 10 hours
march 2 springs which as the day was warm were acceptable at
the end of 30 miles we reached the creek which we left on the 31 si
We found rabbits plenty oji the plain our camp was made sur-
rounded by high and and j)erpendicular clifts say 800 feet bearing
every mark of fire here we fouml little grass for our horses.

3rd We lay at the same camp and got fish from the brook
enough fo: breakfast after which 1 took LaJ horse and followed
the creek down aV)out i mile and found another larger joining it
a little below which there is a warm spring issuing from the bank
about 40 feet above '.he stream it gives out smoke when it meets
the air and discharges a large c{iuintity of water al>out 2 miles
farther down I found a small party of Indians from whom I ob-
laine<l vS fish weight about 4lbs each and looking like a salmon
lor these 1 gave 4 Hooks they \\ere fricndh- they advise me to
follow the right hatul trail but 1 have determined to take the
left and shall perhaps repent it. The left leads N. W. which I
think Lis) my direction I returned to camp an«l three of the

"4l

WVIITM'S FIRST KXI'HDITION.

.6;

Indiuns with me. One tif these Iiidiuiis hud a had wound on the
side of his head and from his sijjns and appearance was made
with a iH)isoned arrow.

;trd We moved camp in the proposed direction viz N. \V. i6
miles I)urinj!f which distance we fcmnd stagnant water once and
encamped near about 15 Indians digj?ers 3 of our men we left at
the last camp to set their traps at some sijjns there seen. These
In<lians are very poor and timid when I approacheil them alone
on a gallop they all began to run but by moderaling my pace ami
making signs the[y] suffered me to come to them they gave me
some sweet nxit to eat for which 1 gave them 3 Hooks they had
a young yellow legged eagle with them and most of the diggers
we have met ha<l a small kind of Hawk at their camps these they
feed and tame this party also had a young bird tame resembling
a King Bird this days travel was on a high plain and good going
on an old trail these Indians had with them staves for fish spears
so we presume tliey are going to the river for fish and so think
ourselves on the right trail. For three nights passed there has
l)eeu no frost a thing which has not befor[e] happened for three
nights in all since leaving rock Indejiendence. Snow spit we
had the 2Sth Aug. Today a slight sprinkle of Rair l)eing
the 2nd time since leaving the Rendesvous.

4th We left the camp early and proceeded over a high and
pretty level i)lain gradually decending to the N. ^■. in a N. N.
W. directi<m and after 20 mils travel without water came to
ravines running Iv and dry having gravelly and sandstone (un-
touched by fire) blu''[fsj and in 5 mils more came to the creek we
had left on mng. of the 3rd. Lon] the banksof which we found every
20 steps or thereabouts warm or hot springs and the creek tho
large and discharging a great quantity (of | water too warm to be
]>alatable Here we found an Indian aiid family of whom for 2
fish H(H>ks we Imught 7 salmon of about 4 lbs weight each when
green, they were split and dried. The two men left l)ehind not
having yet come up we intend halting here for them. The creek
is here lined with volcanic rock today [we] saw the first fish
Hawk in this country.

4th Ua[y] at camp and repacked our gotxls and held a smoke
with some Indians oiie of whom we engaged as a guide down the
river and to Heaver smoked too much and made myself sick

5th Moved on about 5 mils N. X. \V. and again struck the
creek and gcwd grass found Heaver sign very plenty and for the
first time set all our traps at good sign had a mess of fresh
dums for dinner after which 2 Indians cume tons with 4 salmon
which we l)ought for 2 Hooks This day heard what we all took for
a catMion at about 10 mils distance time will determine whether
we were mistaken. In this creek there are a great numljer of
snakes about 3 feet long witli u large head and of a brownish
grey color about the proportion of the strii)ed snake of X. 1-",.

t6R

JOIRXAI,

["5

They Iiihuhit the water and I saw one catch a small fish within
two feet of roe while bathing at a warm spring which put into
the main stream The bathing at these warm springs is delicious
there are hundreds of them and some large enough to dive in
vSome gush out of the rocks at an elevation of 40 feet above the
stream and discharge enough water for a mill I can jierceive no
unusal taste in the water.

6th Remained at same camp and were visited at 10 ock in
the morning by two Indians with whom we held a smoke we
can learn nothing of any white jiost by these Indians caught 7
Heaver

7th Remained at same camp and exchanged two horses with
some Pawnack Indians three of whom visited us also about 10
Sohonees with Salmon of which they have plenty herewecaught
a N . ICngland Sucker also a fish a little resembling [a] pike of alxnit t,
lbs weight but without teeth. Caught 3 Beaver. Ravens are
here very plenty and tame the[y] light on theperi)endicular sides
of the creek waiting for fish on which they live. (ie[e]se and
ducks are also plenty as well as grouse. Some of the Indians
have guns but most of them go unarmed The creek here for
alMMit 10 miles runs W. N. W.

Sth Moove<l camp down tlie creek alxnit 12 miles and came to
the village under the escort of al)out 20 Indians on Horseback
one of whom by the direction of the chief shewed us the place
for our camp where grass and water could l>e had here the
chief Harangued his ])eople telling them not to come into our lines
nor steal from the white }>eople he sent his squaws with w<mxI
for us and also sent salmon for us to eat I gave him a present of
tobacco awls Hooks Powder vermillion knives ect. Here I
traded a Beaver skin rol>e for two knives and six skins with many
muskrat which are plenty here I found these Indians great
thieves in the small line knives ect. Missing mine I went to one
of the Sub Chiefs and told him of it he made enquiry and point-
ed out the thiefwho refusing to open his Rol)e I gently did it for him
but inste[ald of finding the knife found a coat of one of the men
which he ht.id upon luitil I drew a pistol on which he gave it up
and caught up what he supposed to Lbe] one of our guns but it
happened to l)e my covered fishing rod he was then held by the
other Indians and sent to the village and I saw him no more

9th In [the] morning went tu see the I ndi^ms catch Salmon which
is done by entangling them in their passage up the creek among
dams which they erect and spearitig them they catch an im-
mense quanity the operation commences in the morning at a
signal given by their chief. This chief is a good sized man atid
veiy intelligetit and the President would do well if he could pre-
serve the res' •"ot of his subjects as well or maintain as much
dignity

326]

WVKTirS FIRST HXI'I^IUTION.

ift*^

(o Moove»l dowti the main river ill a S. VV. direction which
here runs thron^h moderate bniiks in u moderate curretit We
are told that the next creek has ^)eaver by the chief and that it
is 4 days raaich The main river is here fnll of salmon which
contiiiually jump alwve the the surface like sturgeon.

loth Mooved camp along the Bank of the river 3 miles there
the river diverging to the Northward we left it and followed the
niaiii trail the river here goes[?J through cut rocks about 30
miles We made this day 20 mils in all in a W. X. W. Direc-
tion and encamped in poor grass on a small creek i mile fnrni the
main river during the march we rrossed a small creek up which
alxiul 2 "mils is a fine camp.

I ith Moved at 3 a. m. and followed the trail 24 mils in a W.
N. W. Direction and encamjjed on the bank of the main river
which is here a fine stream about a • .< mile or over. I swam
across it and found it over my head all the way here we found
Indians and Iwught Beaver 3 skins for i shoe knife and 4
charges powder tt lead we also got salmon of them the Basalt
here occurs resting on sand and gravel in some places the rock
is not more than 4 feet thick and appears to have suflFered from
intense heat the countn.' is barren in the extreme there is us-
ual[l]y a difference of 40 deg. between the day & night the heatat
noondav about 7^s to H5 deg. The Indians here have large nets
made in the luiropean manner of the hemp of the country. The
trail on the river so far is fine and much used.

12 .Moved camp 15 miles on the trail in a W. N. W. direc-
tion and following the bank of the river which is here a gentle
stream of about 4 miles and 4 mile wide, (inats here trouble
us »nuch and the days are extremely hot about S5 deg. and the
nights warm enough for comfort The river is full of salmon and
a plenty «)f them are to lie had of the Indians whom we meet
every fe\v mils fishing on the banks of the stream Some of the
grass is here so salt that it can be washed in a pot of water and
enough seasoning for Iwiling obtained grass is generally poor.
The banks are here generally sand Many kinds of water fowl
frequent the river here today we Iwught a fish of the Indians
dried excessively fat and when alive a large fish, sturgeon
probably

13th moved camp along the bank of the river and following
the trail 24 miles only deviating from the river about 3 mils
of the last of the travel. The first 6 miles the river is W. the
next 3 X. W. then S. W. 3 then taking a circular sweep
round to N. by E. which was 9 miles then left the river and in 3
miles struck a creek about as large as Charles River at Water-
town, where we found grass, salmon and Indians and the first
timber we have seen since leaving the Mts. in sight on what ap-
pears to Ix; a river coming in from the X. side this I mean to
ascertain tomorrow and the next day I shall start to explore the

190

JorKNAI,:

["7

11'

creek for Heaver This foreiiocm and yesterday foremxin were
cloudy and the first cloudy weather for 2 months except as men-
tioned before. \Ve[alther still as warm as 8o deff. in day time
huy sjilmon for a hook apiece.

i4tb Mooved camp in a N. N. W. Direction 5 miles and en-
camped on the main river being out of provisions I sent a man
on a mule to buy some salmon he went up the river about .^
miles and called to some Indians oti one of the Islands to brinji;
some these he bought afterward another Indian came over witli
some the man thinking he had got nearly enough offered him a
less price this displeased the Indian who slapped him in the
face and at the same time hit the mule a kick which set him out
on the run and the Indian ran (|uick enough to avoid vengeanci-
the man came to camp much displeased having had to walk m<>st
of the way and carr>' his fish this day also visited by Indians
from below with salmon

j.Sth vSent ,^ men and 4 animals to examine the small river
for i)eaver this day a N. \V. wind much like the N. K. of the
Atlantic with some little rain (at the same camp) this day took
a ride down the river to examine for a camp i6th X. \V. wind
still took a ride up the river to find a camp where timl)er, fit for
a raft which we projxjse to build to carr>' some of the loose bag-
gage and some men who are on f(x)t can lie found, fouiul none
saw some beaver «ign in trading for some salmon an Indian
attempted to sna[t]ch a paper of fish hook[s] from me but he did
not make out returned to camp and sent two men to trap for
the l)eaver they left their horses and went into the willows to
look [for] the sign during which time the Indians none of whom
were in sight stole a cloak from Mr. Ball. They found the beaver
had lately l)een trapped out say within t, weeks next morning
they returned to camp

17th Mooved camp X, by W. 16 miles and encamped on a
creek alxiut as large as the last near a few lodges of Indians the
main river about two miles to X. K. This creek appears to run
,S. W, The Inds. say there is leaver on it the main river here
makes a considerable detour to the X. Yesterday had hail and
rain ^St snow and today the Mts. to the Xorlhward are wliite
with it.

iSth With 2 men I went up the creek this I followed aliout
50 miles and found its general course abcnit VV by X. the first
15 miles S. \V. then \V. 20 then X. X. VV. 15 where the cut
rocks liegin This is a large stream when the waters are high in
the spring but now is sluggish here we got a few beaver It had
been trapped by the H. B. 2 years before we .saw no Indians
on it during the 9 days I was up. On the loth day I returned to
where I left the party and feeling in the mood of banter I told
the Indians at the mouth of the creek (the party having left) that
I had eaten nothing for two days this to see if they would give

aa8]

\VVi:Tns I'IKST IvXPHDITION.

»7«

tnc atiythiii); for charity sake. One of them went and looked at
ray saddle and pointed to me the fresh bUxKl of n l>eaver I had
that morning caught and left with the two men I then bought

2 silm'Mi for one awl afterward I told him I had three children at
home he brought forward three tawny l)rats and his s({uaw who
was big I backed out of story telling with Indians. I then pro-
ceeded on until the moon went down when seeing a light 1 made
for it after traveling s miles I found it to b»«an Indian camp on
the other side of the river I then unsaddled my horse and slept
uhtil 4 ock when I mounted and at 9 ock found where my
party had camped the same night and a notice in the trail
of their motions at 1 1 ock I overtook them with my horse lame
and jaded. 1 fo.itid an Indian with the party who seems to know
the route to Wallah Wallah and he intends going with us Dur-
ing my absence the three men sent up the creek above the one I
went up returnetl without accident, and during the same time Mr.
Sublette with Mr. Frapp & party joined our camp and crossed
by fording to the othei side of the river intending to divide into

3 parties and trap up three streams coming in opposite the up-
per one of which we thought to be salmon river it proves to l>e
called Big Woody on account of the timl)er on it. They
attempted to come down on the creek above the one I
asscended- but after toiling long and wearing down their horses
in a cruel manner they crossed to the one that we decended and
arrived at the Indian village the day after we left it he left be-
fore I returned I regretted much not seeing this party, from
Information gained here we suppose that we shallmeet no Indians
l»etween this and the fort have threfore provided as much salmon
as we could get and put ourselves on allowance. Subblette who
went to 2 creeks further than I did saw a large stream running
S. W. this must either turn andl)e some large river coming in-
to Lewis below here or be the head water of some river going to
the (Uilph of California. After joining camp we proceed[ed] on
to a creek coming from the N. W. which is our route the river
here being impracticable and taking a great bend to the \. and
shall wait here until the two men who went up with me come to
camp The river from where I lef[t] camp runs about X. 20 miles
then west 10 miles then X. again into cut rocks found the party
all well and the horses much recruited

29th We lay at same camp.

30th Mooved alx)ut 5 miles the creek rutuiing a)x)ut W.

I Oct Mooved camp along same creek about 5 miles still W.

2nd At same camp at this place the bears dung was plenty
but we saw but one.

3rd Moved camp about 15 miles creek still west and trail
good.

4th With an Indian and 4 men I left camp in order to explore
this creek the X. W. trail here leaving it after leaving camp I

[OIRNAI,

I J^»

j)rocee(l[ed] over 1)ad hills al>oiu iS miles au'I fiioamped anions
cut rocks on the same creek it here beiii^ W. by vS. during; the
march we obs^Mved a ratine of hi\(h snowy mountains to the N.
of us but wLhlether on our >ide of the river or not could not de-
termine.

Sth Made alnrnt 5 miles throui^h intolerable cut rocks some
beaver

6th At same camp.

7th 5 mils on same creek which l>ears W. !)y S here left it.
liavitiK sent a messenger to camji with orders to proceed on the
route to W'dlah Wallah and ste[e]rinK north pas.std some snow
clad mounts, which we walked up with bare feet and after 25
mils struck a sm.ill run ^i)ing into the next creek during this
day we passed through an immense forest of pine of difierent
kinds and unknown to us altho very similar to some of ours
on these mountains we found unripe .service berrys, cherrys and
thorn apple all of which are gone on the rivers it snowed and
rained most of the day many of the pines were 4 feet through

Hth Moved 4 nules to the main creek and laid down cold an<l
hungry and supperless hoping that our traps wotdd give us
l)eaver in the morning

9th (fOt 7 beaver and went to eating like good fellows moov-
ed this day 6 miles down creek here ruiuiiug about N.

loth Mi)ved N. and down creek alwut 15 miles and found
the rest of the party who had come on the mail trail in an average
N. W. direction alK)ut 45 miles This day rain this creek
fnmi where we struck it to this place runs in an extensive plain
of fertile snile equal to the best I ever .saw of about 5 mils average
width here we raised a great smoke and am told by our Indian
that the Nez Perces will s^e it and cnm^ to smoke with us

nth To the S. W. of us is a range of snow clad Mts. the
Indian says it is 7 days to Wallah Wallah. This creek runs
about N. Iv. by l\.

nth Started at S ock and moved alnnit N. N. W. 30 miles
over high ground of gtx)d soil.

1 2th Left the party after killing a horse of the poorest kitid
for food in order to go ahead to find indians or whites or food
The party here remained one day in a valley of alx)ut 20 miles
long and 1 5 wide of a very fertile soil in this valley saw exten-
.sive camps of Indians alx)ut one month old here they find sal-
mon in a creek running through it aud dig the Kamas root but
not an Indian was here at this time we put out in a N. W. di-
rection and assended the hills which soon became wooded with
good timber our course this day was about N. N. W. and 40
miles I had with me an Indian and three men and a little horse
meat we camped this night in the woods without water.

13th Arose early and continued our route until 9 ock and
stopped for breakfast of bad Horse meat on a creek of some size

2.V»1

WYirrirs riRsr hxi'iidition.

•73

where we fouiiU the red thorn upple uiul a few cherries after ^^
hnur.H step we moved across the creek which runs West and is
called Ottillah on ascending the op|H)site t)hiff we saw a smoke
al>oul 20 rails down on it to which we went and found some
poor horses in charf^e of a sciuuw and some children the men
were all out huntiti}; they had no fiK)d but rose lierrys of which
we made our supper they were much friKht[en]ed at our approach
there having lieen some Indians of this tribe vi/ Walla Walla
killed by the snakes above, and this family was murdered the
ni}(ht after we left them

In the morning of the 14th we put out about N. and arrived at
fort Walla Walla about 5 ock in the evening distance 30 miles
near the fort the river Walla Walla was crossed which is aUiui 75
feet wide and atmut 2 feet deep current motlerate the size of the
last creek passed I was received in the most hospitable and
gentlemanly manner by Peanbron [ Pambrun] the agent for this post
the fort is of no strength merely sufficient to frighten Indians
mounting 2 small cannon having two bastions at the opposite
corners of a square enclosure there were 6 whites here. My
party arrived on the iHth having fared for food in the same man-
ner as myself but for a longer time. They met a Nez Perce vil-
lage on the 1 6th and got a supply of foo<l they passed my trail
and went X. of it and struck the main river alx)ve the fort the.-
broughLt] in all the horses At the post we saw a bull and cow &
calf, hen & cock, piitikins, pDtatoas, corn, all of which looked
strange and unnatural and like a dream. They gave me a de-
cent change of cloth[e]s which was very acceptable I took a ride
up the river 9 miles to the junction of Lewis River which comes
in from the S. K. and soon ♦.akes a »S. course the Columbia comes
here from the N. W.

On the 19th I took leave of my hospitaole entertainer in one of
the Cos. barges with ray party leaving my horses in his charge at
the fort and proceeded down the river about 4 mils and s[t]opped
to tighten our boat the river forms fine eddies to work up with
and about 3 mile current down the 2nd run of fish failed this
year in the river and the Indians are picking up the most nause-
ous dead fish for food the course of the river [is] about S. W.

2oth I«eft the beach at sunrise the River still S. W. and kept
on until about noon when a furious wind arose from the S. \V.
and stopped our further progress the sand flew so as to oliscure
the air Here we traded a few fish from the natives for Hooks
awls powder &c made 10 miles during which we passed some
rapids of a l>ad character at which in times of high water jwrtage
is neces.sar>' the ge[e]se are numerous seated on the banks of the
river. River W. by S. a large snowy mountain S. W. by W.
ahead which the river leaves to the left called by the French
"Montague de Xeige" made 10 miles

'74

JOURXAI,

[2^1

2 1 St W'itid same but more moderate Put down the river st.iU
W by S. passed a large Island at the lower end of which we
stopped for the night. Ther. 22 deg. Made 16 miles during the
day our boatman bought a colt which we found fine eating
shagg and ge[e]se plenty

22nd Made 30 miles wind raoderatt and no rapids of much
dif[f]iculty stopped at night at a village where was a chief sick to
whom our conductor administered some medicine and bled him
his eyes were exceeding yellow and his blood after standing a
short time was covered with a scum of yellowish green he gave
us a horse to eat of which he had 260 in fine order and of good
breed we found the meat equal to any beaf and quite different
from the poor and sick old ones we had eaten. They here sell
Horses for roo loads am[mlunition i Blankett and % lb tobacco.

23rd The chief much better and we left him Yesterday our
people in search of wood of which there is none but drift here
found a pile which they brought to our fire but were soon told
by the natives that they had robbed the dead we will avoid the
like mistake in the future we made this day 28 miles during
which distance we passed one bad rapid and the river John Day
from a trader of that name. This river is large but ob.structed
by rapids and enters from the S. is 79 miles below VV%illa Walla
no rain as yet but we are informe<l that the rain is now constant
l)elow the falls we see Indiatis every few miles who come off to
trade what little articles they have sometimes with nothing to
beg a chew of tobacco sometimes with a little wood for fuel
sometimes with two 3, one or '^ a fish a few berry s our conductor
appears to have a wife at each stopping place
how many more sable beauties god only knows
are tolerably honest but will steal a little.

24th vStarted about 9 and after about [6 miles]* passed the
grand falls of the Columbia just above which a small river puts
into the Columbia about the size of the small rivers above the
Wallah [Wallah] for instance these falls now the water is low are
about 25 feet when the water is high these falls are covered the
water not having a sufficient vent below the water here rises
about 40 feet just before arrivitig at the falls are considerable
rapids the falls are easily passed in boats at high water we
hired the Indians about 50 for a quid of tobacco each to carr^' our
boat about i mile round the falls the goods we carried ourselves
shortly after passing the falls we passed what are called the
dalles (small) or where the river is dam[m]ed up between banks
steep and high of not more than 100 leet apart through which
the whole waters of the mighty Columbia are forced with much
noise and uproar I passed through with some Indians while my
men wetit round they not being good Iwatmen enough to trust

4 already and
these Indians

11 '1
If

■*So written but crossed out.

23i]

WYKTirS FIRST r.XrHDITION.

'75

.ind ftighl[en]ecl withall. VVe are now camped at the Great Dalles
which are still narrower and more formidable than the small
having stopLpJed after making 20 miles the wind being high and
unfavorable for passing at the gorge of this pass the water
rises[?] by the mark on the rock at least 50 feet forming a com-
plete lock to the falls above the back water covering them en-
tirely. The Indians are thieves but not dangerous before us
and apparently in the river rises the most formidable mountain
we have seen the country- ahead is clothed with forest to the
river side which has not been the case before and the western
horizon is covered by a dense cloud denoting the region of con-
stant rain during the winter.

25th Made this day 6 miles and passed the great dalles similar
to the small ones which we passed yesterday but still narrower
being 75 feet about in width through this pass we went with an
unloaded boat at an immense speed the goods and Baggage were
carried past on the backs of my men and some Indians hired for
that purpose my men not being good boatmen and timorous I
hired Indians to work ours through going with them myself to
learn the way during part of this day we hud a fair wind the
river still W. by S. here we saw plenty of grey headed seals we
bought some bear meat from the Indians which we found very
fine. VVe encamped for the first time on che river among timber
among which I saw a kind of oak and ash. Indians Plenty one
chief at whose lodge we stopped a short time gave me some
molasses obtained from [the] fort below to eat He had a large
stock of dried fish for the winter 4 tons I should think roots &c
he was dressed in the English stile Blue frock coat pants. & vest
comported himself with much dignity enquired my name particu-
ularly and repeated it over many times to impress it on his mem-
ory his sister was the squaw of an American of the name of
Bache who established a post on the river below the great dalles three
years ago last fall and who was drowned in them with 1 1 others the
following spring the remainsofthe fort I sawasalso thegrave of the
woman who died this fall and was buried in great state with
sundrj' articles such as capeau vest pantaloons shirts &c. A
pole with a knob at the top is erected over her remains at the
foot of the Dalles is an island called the Isle of the Dead on which
there are many sepulchers these Indians usually inter their dead
on the Islands in the most romantic scituations where the souls of
the dead can feast themselves with the roar of the mighty and
eternal waters which in life time afffjorded them sustenance
and will to all eternity to their posterity.

26 After 30 miles of beautiful navigation with little current
and fair .strong wind and no rapids we arrived at the Cascade or
lower obstruction of the river here it is necessary to carry the
boat and the Indians are all dead only two women are left a sad
remnant of a large numbsr their houses stripped to their frames

176

JOrRNAL:

[233

are in view and their half buried dead this portage will l)ea hard
job during this day I went ashore to a small lake near t.ie river
I killed at one discharge of my double barrelled gun 5 * of them
which gave 5 of us a hearty supper no rain as yet but constant
appearance of it ahead at these rapids are a great many seal it
is a mystery to me how they assend them. The direction of the
river is here about W bA' S. and a little snow on some of the highest of
the hills this day we passed the high mountain covered with snow
her[e]tofore mentioned it is on the left of the ri v£r and is a more
stupendous pile than any of the Rocky Mts. Always covered
with snow and is called the Snowy mountain.

27th in the morning commenced carrying the boat and goods
which we finished at i ock. and making 9 miles in all stopped to
repair the boat which was leaky from damage su.stained in carry-
ing rained all this day and saw but two[?] Indians.

28th With a fair wind and a little rain we decended the river
at a great rate on the route we killed a goose which dropped in
the water a white headed Eagle from a distance seeing this took
occasion to come he seized it and lifted it i'lto the air a few feet
but our near approach fright[en]ed him away made this day 26
miles and stopped at a saw mill belonging to the H. B. Co under
charge of a Mr. Cawning[?] a gentleman who came bere 22
years since with a Mr Hunt he is in the service of the Co. We
were treated by him with the greatest kindness he gave us moc-
[cjasiii^ and food in plenty.

29th Started at 10 ock and arrived at the fort of Vancouver
at 12, 4 miles Here I was received with the utmost kindness and
Hospitality by Doct. McLauchland [McLoughlin] the acting Gov.
of the place Mr McDonald Mr Allen and Mr Mckay gentlemen resi-
dent here Our people were supplied witn food and shelter from
the rain which is constant they raise at this fort 6000 bush, of
wheat 3 of Barley 1500 potatoes 3000 peas a large quantity of
punkins they have coming on apple trees, peach Do. and
grapes. Sheep, Hogs, Horses, Cows, 600 goats, grist 2, saw mill
2. 24 lb guns powder magazine of stone the fort is of wood
and square thej' are building a Sch. of 70 Tons there are about
8 settlers on the Multnomah they are the old engages of the Co.
who have done trapping. I find Doct. McLauchland a fine old
gentleman truly philanthropic in his Ideas he is doing much
good by introducing fruits into this country' which will much
facilitate the progress of its settlement (Indian corn 3000 bush)
The gentlemen of this Co. do much credit to their country and
concern by their education deportment and talents. I find mj'-
self involved ?n much difficulty on ace. of my men some of whom
wish to leave me and whom the Co. do not wish to engage no[r] to
have them in the countrA- without being attached to some Co.

*A wonl is omitted from thr iournal.

2.34]

WVirrH'S FIRvST RXI'KDITrON.

177

able to protect them alledgiiig that if anj' of them are killed the^'
will be obliged to aveng[e] it at an expense of money and ami-
cable relations with the Indians. And it is disagreeable for me to
have men who wish to leave me. The Co. seem disposed to
render me all the assistance they can they live well at these
posts they have 200 acres of land under cultivation the land is of
the finest quality.

30th to 5th. Nov remained at Vancouver and except the last
day rain.

6th started down the river to look with a view to the Salmon
buisness we decended the river at about 4 mils per hour and ac-
complished the journey in parts of 4 days the river is full of
islands but they are all too low for cultivation being occasionally
overflowed as also the praries (what few there are; on tne main
land with the exc'.;ption of these small levells the country is so
rough that a great part of the earth must be inhabited before this
but the soil is good and the timber is heavy and thick and almost
impenetrable from underbrush and fallen trees the description
of Mess. Lewis & Clark and others is fully borne out as to size
and more also the river is so well known at this part of it that I
will not insert any observations of my own there are a great
number of fowl on this river at this time and there will be more
as they say soon there are large swan white ge[e]se a goose
with a motled breast and yellow bill a trifle smaller
than the goose of N. E. A white goose almost exactly like the
domestic goose of N. E. yellow feet and legs as also the former
there is another goose like that of N. E. but I think smaller there
is the tame duck of N. E. with 19 tail feathers and a fine duck to
eat there is the grey duck of N. E. green winged teel Buffle
heads Cape Races Dippers of the Sea loons seal deer I killed
one swimming the river I saw no elk but only tracks fort
George now occupied as a trading post by the H. B. Co. is well
scituated on a sloping bank of the river about 2 miles outside of
Tongue point and 6 miles inside of Clatsop point Chinnook point
is opposite the latter and inside Chinnook is a river of small size
is also inside Tongue point alwve Tongue point about 6 miles
are the Cathlaraetts they arc an archipelago of reedy Islands
overflown at high water Here are ducks innumerable, the
Indians in this part of the river are of late much reduced they
appear good and hosptable as far as an Indian ever is that is they
are willing to sell provisions for all they can get for them they
appear to live well and I believe any oiie may with plenty of
powder and lead on this river either as a purchase or to shoot
there are no beaver here We arrived at the Fort of \'. on the 15-
th Nov having had no rain during this time. I must here men-
tion the very kind gentlemanly conduct of Mr. Jas. Bernie
suprintendent of Ft. O. who assisted me to a boat and pilot for
the outer harbor and acted the part of host to perfection I had

I7S

JOrRNAL:

[235

much pleasure with a little liquor and a pijie in his company he
has seen much of this country and is of the old N. W. concern I
derived much information from him on my return to the fort my
men came forward and unanimously desired to be released from
their engagement with a view of returning home as soon as pos-
sible and for that end to remain here and work for a main t[ en lance
until an opportunity should occur. I could not refuse they had
already suffered much and our number was so small that the
prospect of remuneration to them was ver>' small I have there-
fore now no men these last were Mr. Ball Woodman Sinclair,
Breck, Abbot, Tibbits they were good men and persevered as
long as perseverance would do good I am now afloat on the great
sea of life without stay or support but in good hands i. e. myself
and providence and a few of the H. B. Co. who are perfect gentle-
men During my absence Guy Trumbul died on the 7th of Nov.
of the Cholic an attack of which he had on the Platte of which
he nearly died in this case he was taken in the evening and
died early in the mng. His funeral was attended by all the
Gentlemen at the place and prayers were said accordCing] to the
form of the Church of England for this attentivni to my
absense was considerate to my feelings and
be duly appreciated service is here perform-
and on the days prescrilxjd by the church
down the river was performed in
we hired for a 3 Yz point Blankett[?]
but withall -a good craft for sailing
the men were exceedingly awkward.

19th From this to the 29th I remaitied at Fort Vancouver eat-
ing and drinking the good things to be had there and enjoj'ing
much the gentlemanly society of the place.

On the 29th. with Abbot and Woodman in an Indian canoe I
started for a journey up the Wallamet or Multonomah River this
river which is highest in the winter was so at this time but is not
rapid until near the falls the subjoined scetch will shew its
course as I made it distance by the river by my estimate 27 >^
miles to the falls which are perpendicular about 20 feet past
these we carried our canoe about yl mile and launched a]x)ve the
falls the water though generally more rapid above would admit
of the running of a steam boat. In this river at this time there is
more water than in the Missouri and not of a more difficult
character to navigate the tide flows to within 8 miles of the falls
below the fall the banks of the river are not suitable for cultiva-
tion being overflowed as far as the bottom extends which is not
far and beyond these the country rises into rocky hills unfit for
tillage but producing very large timber mostly if not all of the
pines On the lx)ttoms there is con sid[e]r able oak of a kind not
found in the States but of excellent quality for ship building and is

affairs in ray

I hope will

ed on Sunday

of Eng. our excursion

an Indian canoe which

We found it ver>' kittish

and easy to paddle but

2^6]

WVKTirS riRvST HXl'HDITION.

the otily kind of oak found in the country of the Columbia I
noticed but two streams coming into the river below the falls
the river to within 6 mils of its junction with the Columbia runs
along the N. E. side of a range of bills or as thej' would be called
in N. IC. mountains at the falls it passes through this range
this river has two mouths the East one is the one I assended the
west one follows the range of hills above described to Iheir falling
on the Columbia about 3 miles Ijelovv the eastern entrance [of]
the mouth of this river is in Latt 45 deg. 36 min. 51 sec. Long.
122 deg. 48 min. Above the falls for 22 mils by estimate the
banks of the river are high enough to prevent [overjflowing but
timbered and not fertile and rough and the country apparently
not valuable except for timber which is here mostly of the pines
except a small quantity of cotton wood and alder the latter is
here a tree of sometimes a foot and an half through at the falls
the H. B. Co. are erecting a saw mill to which they contemplate
adding a grist mill the scituation for mill priviledges is beyond
any thing I have ever seen 22 mils from the falls are 3 or 4
Canadians settled as farmers they have now been there one year
have Hogs, Horses, Cows, have built barns, Houses, and raised
wheat, barely, potatoes, turnips, cab[b]ages, corn, punkins, mellons
The country here becomes opeji, but still wood enough and a
much greater proportion of oak prairies of from i to 30 miles in
extent bound by a skirting of timber this country seems a
valley between the mountains to the East and West of about 50
miles wide including both sides of the river and is very level of
nearly uniform soil extremely rich equal to the best of the
Missouri lands. Accounts vary much as to its southerly extent
I have seen it at lej^st 75 mils in a southwardly direction and
from all I can learn I think it extends with but little inter[r]uption
as far south as the valUeJy of the Buneventura which is also of
the same description of country, and I have never seen country of
equal beauty except the Kanzas country- and I doubt not will one
day sustain a large population 10 mils by land above the first
settlement and 30 by the river is another bj- a Mr Jervie which
was a very fine beginning of one 3'ears standing of the same
character and product as the one below in all about 9 settlers
are on this river if this country is ever colonised this is the point
to commence the river is navigable for canoes to its ver^' sources
but as I understand very circuitous deer abounds in this district
and wolves one of which a large devil I shot these settlers I
found exceeding attentive to my comforts especiall)' Mr Jervai
at whose house I slept 2 nights I was absetit from the fort this
time 10 days.

To the 4th Jany. the weather was little better than a contin-
ual rain not however a hard rain often V>ut a drizzling uncomfort-

able air during December there fell gy^ inches
ometer on the 4th the wind came strong to N

rain by a pluvi-
N. E. with fair

I So

JOT-RN'AL:

[2M

and "ool weather Ther. averaging alx)ut 19 Deg. this continued
to the 8th when there is much floating ice in the river and those
here think that with two days more of this weather the river will
close. The readiness w[it]h which the river fre[e]i.es must arise
from the water getting intensely cold in the upper country-. Du-
ring this month Mr. McKay gave our room a treat of Buffaloe
meat salted and smoked and this being the first opportunity of
comparing good Buffaloe meat with other good meat was highly
acceptable. I think it equal to the best meat ever eaten, l^p to
the 4th there was no frost in the ground and ploughing is com-
monly done all the winter during the latter part of January the
River rose about 4 feet which must have arisen from the rains as
there could be no melting of snow on the Mountains at this seas-
on these rains must have I think extended farther back than is
described to be their range viz the falls at which the timbered
country terminates. Carrots are here finer and larger than I have
ever before seen one I think was 3 inches through and of fine
flavor. There appears much sickness amon[g] the people here es-
pecially among the common people which I think arises from low
diet and moist weather for as far as I can observe the gentlemen
who live well are not much subject to disorders, the main dis-
order is an intearmittent fever which has carried oflfall or nearly all
the Indians who live even worse than the engages. The Lima which
sailed a month since had not to the ist Jai.y. got out of the river.
I have been Informed by Mr Douglas and Mr. Finlesson that ves-
sells have laid off the bar 7 weeks before they could enter.

I ith Jany. The River closed with ice and I am detained here
until it opens. Last winter the river remained frozen 5 weeks
there is yet no snow. Today heard by Mr Herraatinger of the
death of Mr Vande[r]burg killed by the Blackfeet up to this time
the weather continued clear and cold for this country the Ther.
varying from 1 2 deg. to 20 deg.

On the 1 8th at 2 oclock it commenced hailing and at day light
the hail was about 2 inches on the ground the River closed
on the loth and so remains at present on the 14th I walked
across the Columbia and found the ice about 6 inches thick where
it lay smooth but it was much turned up edge wise afternoon of
the 1 8th commenced Raining and on the 19th rains still the hail
was at one time from i "^ to 2 inches deep on the i8th.

19th after raining hard all night there is no snow left it is

Ther. 54 deg.
Ther, 52 deg.

River not vet cleared

warm and showery to day

20th Raining stil[l] and
ice stationary.

2ist 22nd war'U and Rainy,

23rd The river Broke up still warm
informed by Mr Dav. Douglas that a Mr
saw in Calafornia was intending to come to the Colurrbia for Sai-
mon he is a Brother-in-law to Capt. Ebbets and is from New

Ther. 51 deg. I am
Woodard whom he

23«1

WYHTH'S l-IRST FvXPHDITION.

rSi

York Mr. Douglass saw him in Calafoniia in July 1832. I am
informed by Doct J. McOlauclatid that he has seen strawlierrys ripe
here in Dec. and in blossom in Jany. the weather warm up to
the 28th with occasional rains there is now little ice on the river
on the bajiks the wreck and rubbish of the breaking up of the
river. The H. B. Co. are now making a fort at Nass. to counter-
act the Am. vessells on the coast.

28th Warm still and fair the Co. are about sejiding a party
under Mr. Manson to make a fort at Milbank Sound.

30th Today a party sent to enquire after another reported to
be cut off bej'ond the I'mquoi r near the Clammat River
under a man by the name of Michelle returned having as-
certained that one white and two Iiids. only of said party had
l)een killed this party I [am informed] was utider a man by the name
of Duportt I requested to accompany him but the Gov. would not
consent alledging tlie[y] would conceive that I came to avenge
the death of Mr. Smiths party ivho was cut off by the Umquoi
Indians, all which I interpreted into a jealousy of my motives
this party brought back 200 skins which they had traded they
did not^go beyond the Umquoi, they were gone 2 months lost no
men and but 2 horses which Died of fatigue.

31st to the 3rd. Feb. we had warm and wet weather on the
3rd at 10 ock. we started for Wallah Walla I had with me two
men and am in company with Mr Ermatinger of the H. B. Co.
who has in charge 3 boats with 120 pieces of goods and 21 men.
I parted with feelings of sorrow from the gentlemen of Fort Van-
couver their unremitted kindness to me while there much en-
deared them to me more so than it would seem possible during
so short a time Doct McGlaucland the Gov. of the place is a
man distinguished as much for his kindness and humanity' as his
good sense and information and to whom I am so much indebted
as that he will never be forgotten by me this day we came to
the Prarie Du LiLs] 15 miles raining most of the day.

4th Left the prairie Du LiCsJ on the lower end of it this piairie
is about 3 miles long and through it the River Du L,i[s] a small
creek enters the Columbia we made but 2 miles v.'hen one of our
boats ran foul of a rock and was stove it landed its cargo without
wetting much this accident detained us till '4 before 1 2 ock
when we started and kept^ on till 2 ock and stopped 20 minutes to
dine then kept on till % past 5 ock making 17 mils this day
this River is at medium water the rivers banks high precipitous
and|rocky from the Lea prairie in one place the bank on the N.
side rises to 200 feet perpendicular I saw a hawk light on a pro-
jecting crag about half way up which gave me a good idea of the
height of the rock from this rock a small stream casts itself into
the Com. w[h]ether a permanent one or not canijotsaybut should
think not there are here many white headed Flagles one skvink
we saw today the timber a])pears much smaller than below no

IS2

JorRNAI.:

[2.^9

rain but cloudy this day wind west and Ther. about 40 deg.
now at iS ock at night the full moon is looking down calmly up-
on usap[plarently thinking that the cares of us humble individuals
concern her little.

5th We left camp at 7 ock and made 4 miles to breakfast and
in 7 mils more the foot jf the Cascades our breakfast was made
on a small island abreast of a rock rising perpendicular from the
l>ed of the river as I should think 400 feet high Lewis & Clark
call it I think 700 feet this rock is nearly surrounded by the
waters of the river

The Cascades occasion a portage of 100 rods our goods were
carried across this day the river is here compressed into a very
small place and the l)ed is full of rocks I should think the fall
to be about 8 feet in the space of the 60 rods There are here two
fishing villages both now deserted as the people here say from
the inmates being all dead of the fever but I suspect some are
dead and the rest and much larger part fright[enled away we
made the portage by the North side on which i« one of the above
villages it is near the river on a little clear spot with a little lake
iti the rear here the Inds were once hostile and great caution was
once used in passing now but little is requisite it rained all the
latter part of the day and night and morning of the 6th finished
the portage but our boats were so bruised that the rest of the day
was taken to gum tliem took a look about me the rest of the
day found that the tripe de roche grew on the rocks here
but small here there are many petrifactions of wood in a bank of
gravell some of which are perfectly petrified and will not burn in
the fire but others appear only half so and burn and cut freely
they are found bedded in stone composed of ru'nble of some
former world the gravel is cemetited together by finer gravell
the whole l)eing volcanic and water worn.

7th At I Yi mile above the Cascade is a small river from the
N. and 4 ]^> above this a creek from the X. rained all the 6th
and rains a little today came in aU 27 miles passed many
Indian habitations on the river and canoes 15 mils above the
Cascades is a Torrent that precipitates itself into the river from
about 60 feet 17 mils from same on same side viz south is a
creek both small one between them on the N. side tim-
ber growing gradually thinner.

8th We found that a Capeau and 2 bianketts had been stolen
by some Inds. from one of our men and went to the village
ju.st below our camp to recover them they acknowledged the
theft but the thieves had run off we took two canoes to our camp
and breakfasted immediately after break fa.st the man who had
lost the articles took an ax and broke the worst canoe for which
he was reprimanded by Mr Ermatinger the other he left and a
little after we left I saw the Ind. come and take it we made 29
mils to the Dalles which are one mile or therealx)uts long and en-

24«>1

wvirrn's imrst i:\pi;i)rrio\.

camped hnvitig passed two of the boats the other owiiif? to
some mistake had she[e]red out and forced the line from those who
were towing and forced one Indian into the stream and was
drowned he was on a hank about 15 feet high he swam until
he got into a whirl pool and went down. Just below the Dalles
the timber ceases there are here many Indians Tilky &
Casineau are here the chiefs and very clever ones all this day we
saw Indians on the banks the water passes even now at a furious
rate atid at high water it is impassible and boats are carried as
much as two mils and all the goods for assisting through this
place a little tobacco is given the Inds. we gave the usual
quantity and saw a personal struggle for the division of it.

9th Left the (ireat I)all[e]s a«)d in three miles came to the lit-
tle dalles which we passed by towing in which we were delayed
by reason of having only two lines one having been lost at the
time the Indian was drowned in three miles more I arrived at
the Shutes or falls of the Columbia which are not in this stage of
the water more than ten feet perpendicular but much more than
that including the rapids above and below in the immediate vi-
cinity these falls once during the times the whites have been
here have been sailed up owing as I suppose to the Dalles at such
times affording a slow ou«:let to the accumulated waters and their
being raised by this circumstance to atx)ve the level of the falls
this day got our baggage and goods o- er at the O. .Dalles I tra-
ded one horse which I sent on by Abbot at the Shutes we found
about 150 to 200 Indians who were very trouble.sorae [having] to
pay for very trifling services however they stole nothing.

loth Passed over and gummed the boats and at ^4 pa.st 12
started up the river having traded another horse and sent it on
by Woodman one mile above the river Aux Rapide comes from
the south the size of the stream I cannot tell as I only saw the
mouth of it here on the N. side of the river Abbot came to me
having lost the horse entrusted to him I took Mr. Woodmans
and gave [left?] Abbot with orders to wait until 10 ock tomorrow
and then to come on whether he got the horse or not we came
today 9 miles and 6 yesterday here we have to give a piece of
tobacco for every stick of wood we get last night was the first
frost I have seen since the river broke the grass is somewhat
green this part of the river affords trout in small quantity.

I ith Started at an early hour and made the mouth of a con-
siderable stream coming from the S. called John Days River
from a hunter of that name formerly in this country- distant
from our last camp 7 '/4 milles we campod 22)4 miles from this
on the North side of the river having had a strong and fair wind
all day one thing I observed in this part of the River is that the
savages are civil and as much as one in ten has lost an eye as I
suppose from the effects of the fine sand of the river being blown
about or the violent wind U>r which this part of the river is noted

|S4

[OrRNAI,:

[341

we found some few roots and little ^nnxi; with tlie natives the
ni^ht was windy and uncomfortabUe] but no frost but a little rain

1 2th At '<; past 6 we started and made 2 miles to breakfast
on the N. side tair wind and clear one boat stove and must
stop to repair and gum found two small logs of drift wood at
to ock. recommenced our journey with a fair light wind and
made in all this day 17 miles during the day had the satisfac-
tion of seeing Abbot come up but without finding the lost horse.

13th Calminmng. but after breakfast had a fair and mid[d]ling
strong wind at i ock passed the upper end of (irand Island an
Indian to day brought me a pouch and horn stolen from one of
my men going down but the balls and powder used up which I
redeemed for a little tobacco last tjight a frost not severe
made this day 25 miles found wood enough for use on the banks
l»ut it is a custom of the Indians to run along the beach and take
jH)ssession of the wood there may l)e and sell it [to] you for
tobacco which appears to be their greatest luxury a ([uid is pay
for almost anything.

14th We started at 6 ock and in one mile passed the River
Ottillah one mile alx)ve which rapids commence the[se] we
passed one mile long making 3 to breakfast and started at !.>
past 10 with a fair and strong wind and reached Wallah Walla
at 5 p. m. just befor[e] reaching this place the cut rwks close into
the river iti such a manner that there appears but a small per-
pejulicular sided gap to look through past these and at W. W.
l)oth bank[sj fall down to a nearly levell p!ain we were again
hospitably received by Mr. P. C. Pambrun we reraaiiie<l at this
post until the 19th. of Feb. the weather mild and clear but high
S. W. winds \V. W. is a place noted for high winds a little
frost during the nights only gras[s]just getting green My horses
in tolerable good order and all found eat horse meat all the time
at this post On Sunday took a ride up the river W. W. found its
bottoms good but not extensive and no wood the corn for this
post 150 bushells last year was raised at least 3 miles from the fort
none was stolen by the Indians a good test of their honesty as
they are all most always starving. This place is kept by alwut
5 men I nds. are freely admitted itiside of it about 1200 skins
traded here it is kept up mostly tor trading horses and the
saf[e]ty of the communication the course of the Wallali [Wallah]
river is l\. by N. near the fort when I saw it.

19th Just as we were leaving the fort an
the horse which Ablx)t lost at the Dalles and
leaviii>< the fort an Indian sent by Mr. l\
which had strayed from Abbot at this place
miles to a branch of the Wallah [Wallah] river here coming from the
X. the space nearly a plain and barren and sandy but good grass
this branch appears to be about half the Wallah [Wallah] river
encamped a little after sundown and for 12 3'ards blue clths. i Blkt.

Indian brought in
a short time after,
brought one other
W2 made ihisday 17

a4a]

WYKTIT8 FIRST KXPKDITION.

I«S

2 >4 pt 50 balls & powder 2 knives i lb. Tobacco bunch l>cads,
ID fish Hooks traded a good horse this apiiears a fair price here.

20th We made a late start and after travelling 9 hours without
water arrived at the Snake river here running W. our course
was this day N. by K. 22 Yt miles over a country which would
be considered light sandy land with little sage grass gixxl and in
tufts very level except some trifling roundly swelling hills these
makeone think of gently swelling breasts of the ladies. Day warm
aiul clear We in the first of the day followed the branch ot the
W. W. mentioned yesterday say four miles on which I saw
blackbirds which Mr. Pambrun says stay at W. W. all winter.

21st No frost in morning. Crossed the river to the mouth of
a creek coming into the river from the N.for 10 miles which was the
length of our march this day this creek is through cut rocks of
moderate height for this country. We followed the stream on
the east Imnk. These banks were al)out 300 feet high
to the levell of the plain if that can be called a plain
where the hills rise to an almost equal height and the
gullies are abrupt and narrow. The soil was what
would be called in N. E, a poor sandy soil producing good grass
but still no wood Traded two horses this day at the usual rates
The people who are most used to this country are so little afraid
of the Indians that they either travel without guns or with them
unloade<I.

22nd A pretty hard frost in the morning followed the river
one mile on the North side then crossed it and made North 3 miles
and crossed a branch of it coming from the N. W. Our course
this day N. by H. and encamped at a little run of water runnings.
E. This is inconsiderable Saw about 20 antelojie this day in
one herd at our camp this nigh[t] observed about 2 inches of frost
in the ground this days ride over very rocky countr>' the val-
leys of which are very good but small otherwise more sandy than
common grass good Made 22 yd miles

23d N. 17 miles over a rough and Rocky countrj' with a few
small bottoms which are good land at 9 miles from last camp
passed some of the best specimens of Basaltic colum[nls which I
have seen They were 5 sided and about 50 feet high some
standing independent others tumbled down to the foot of the wall
like demolished Towers This days march [passed] many small
lakes whether formed by the snow or not I can not say but I
think some of them are permanent none larger than a few acres
Camped at a stream coming from the N. and were visited by three
Indians who report the road to Colville impassable for snow a
hard frost last night and frost in the ground beside the lakes
mostly frozen over but not thick these made me think of the old
buisness of my life.

24th 20 miles N. through timber in the first of which we en-
camped last night the stream wlllch we camped on here forks

i86

JOURNAL:

[243

no game except two small prairie hens passed many little lakes
one of which is as large Fresh Pond and one nearly so the rest
smaller Patches of snow and one third of the trees prostrated
last year by southerly gale their trunks much obstructed the
path before us on the right are snow covered and moderately
high Mts. found good wood at our camp by the light of which I
now write the scene reminds me of my Ice men at work by
torch light not frost enough in the ground to prevent driving
tent stakes the little [rain] and snow made stream.^ [which are]
runCning] Southerly

25th in a N. direction 15 miles to Spokan River a stream
now about half as large as the Snake River it is now high from
the melting of the snow its sources are not distant and in a range
of Mts. in sight this Range runs about N. W. which is here the
general course of the stream but how far I cannot say as it is
visible but a short distance at this place are the remains of the
olu Spokan House one Bastion of which only is now standing
which is left by the Indians from respect to the dead one clerk
of the Co. being buried in it the banks of this river are here rocky
and precipitous I observed among the rocks of its bed Granite
Green Stone Quartz sandstone Lava or Basalt the country
on approaching this river from the South resembles the pine plains
of N. Hampshire near Concord we passed the divide between
the waters of this i:nd the last river about 5 mils from our last
nights Camp striking then after passing the isolated wood in
which we had camped and a large plain devoid of wood a deep
valley running N. Crossed the most of our baggage today

26th Arrived[?] After perusing the enclosed loose papers I
proceed*

27th Marchf due N. E. by N 24 miles we made this day
This line cuts the Spokan river This point we turned but I
call the course direct for convenience this course is through a
tolerable fertile prairie the grass good and flowers plenty on
the W. side are low range of rocky hills which are granite and a
better development of the broken rock named yesterday I
find it to be volcanic by its being [a word omitted]
blending with porous rock on our left and about half
way of the days march passed a mile distant a little

*The loose papers referred to were probably pinned to the preceding
leaf of the journal, but have been lost. They no doubt were the journal
notes made by Mr. Wyeth while taking a trip from the "Spokan House"
to Fort Colville and back.

That Mr. Wyeth took such a trip is evident from the fact that one of the
letters bearing the date of March 12th 1833 was written from Fort Colville.
The journal of March 28th refers to such a trip and the return to the "Spo-
kan house".

tThe word "March" is to be read as part of the date. The trip referred
to above seems to have consumed exactly a calendar month.

244]

WYRTH'vS FIRST EXPEDITION.

187

lake Yi mile across to the E. by N. of this is a lake 3
miles across from which the Spokan flows neither of these I
have seen but take this from hearsay arrived at our camp and
all well and in better order I have forgot to mention that the
stream that comes into the Spokane near the House brings down
peb[b]les of volcanic rock also that the streams near our present
camp come from the hills enter the prairie of the Spokan River
and disappear in the ground.

28 Made 18 miles N. through a level and wooded country and
camped with only snow water and poor grass the rocks seen to
day are holders of granite and observed that the compass in one
place would not Traverse this happened while going to Colville
from Spokan and coming from there hack also observed Today
and yesterday the effects of some former gale in prostrated trees
direction here S. W.

29 horses missing in mng. and not found till noon went
N. 9 miles and struck Flat Head River compass again refused to
traverse through deep snow today and yesterday and thick
young trees and fallen timber observed here the white pine and
Hemlock snow and rain all yesterday found our people at the
river with the boats.

30th Remained at the same place crossed the river I here
saw an Indian who was entirely blind he seemed to be taken
good care of by his relatives made him a small present for
which he thanked me parted company with Mr Ermatinger he
to go on with the goods by water myself with horses by land
last night the coldest for some time today warm and pleasant

31st Moved early N. 7 miles passing a point and two little
streams Excessively bad going in crossing the point from snow
and brush E. two mils along the river N. N. E. 5 miles to
the Lake then a line to our camp cutting the lake 5 mils more
N. N. E. This lake is abou*^ three miles broad and indeed the
river so far resembles a long lake little or no current and ^ miles
wide plenty of pa[r]t ridges,ge[e]se,and Duck and some deer meat of
the Indians all clay country mountainous one Horse gave out
and left him a good lo[d3ge made of Branches of Pine had
almost made me forget that it had snowed and rained all day
ourselves and goods were wet through we had no human com-
fort except meat enough to eat and good.

ist April E. 2, N 3, E by S. 3, and found that from this spot
the place where I entered on the lake [it?] bore S. W. N. by E. 2,
E. by S. 5 N. 3 and made the traverse of a large peninsularat one
mil[e] E. by N. struck the head of a creek which after . 3 miles
more led us back to the Lake at the entrance into it of the River
Fete Plate. This Lake is a large and fine sheet of water it appears
of a good depth There looks as if a large river entered on the
S. side at the east end it is widest and there are two Islands it
is surrounded by lofty and now snow^' Mts. but their summits are

i88

JOURNAL:

[245

■ f

timbered yesterda^^ saw nothingbut Granite today saw Slate and
Sandstone not the least volcanic appearance in this part of the
Country.

2nd Made E. S. E. 6 mils through a difficult swamp over a
hill and to the main river again during which time we passed
two small streams this swamp had the largest cedars apparently
the same as those of the N. E. that I have ever seen I measured
one at my height from the ground of 31 feet circumferance and I
presume some were larger no rocks to day but sandstone and
slate camped on ace. of my horses having had no feed lately

the slate is tortuitous and I think mica slate here my Indian
brought me in some onions and two kinds of trout some of the
trout I have bought of the Indians as large as 10 lbs. they
are plenty and taken with the hook there are plenty of ducks
and ge[ejse the Ducks are the [same] as the tame ducks of
N. E.

3d ID mils almost due E. cutting a mountain and through
almost impenetrable wo[o]d and deep snow much trouble and delay
to keep the trail from the mountain 4 mils from last nights
camp saw our last camp on this Lake which bore W. by N. to
night we camped without grass but could not go further
some of the horses strayed in the trail behind

4th Started our Indian early to find the strayed horses and
started camp ahead 9 mils E. following the river the whole way
altho the trail cuts off the point and encamped where the trail
again strikes the river at this place there is a considerable [creek]
coming from theE. by N. into the river here for the first time
since reaching Walla Walla I saw fresh Beaver sign the
Indian has not yet come up with the horses and little feed
for those we have with us to day saw a small sized Bear but
he was off too soon for a shot

5th 1 2 mils E. S. E. through deep snow and thick wood
most of the way sometimes miry sometimes slippery with ice and
always obstructed by the great quantity of fallen wood Last
night late the Indian brought up all the lost horses

6th 9 mils E. S. E. trail better slate rock only Camped
on the river last night in the mountains. Yesterday two horses
gave out left a man to keep them and bring them up if possible
to day one gave out which I will leave at this camp for same
man

7th Arrived at the Flathead post kept by Mr. Rivi and one
man after a ride of 17 mils E. S. E. through thick wood not
very good trail and a snow storm which loaded the pines in such
a manner as to bend them down to the ground frequently load-
ing me with the snow as passing I disturbed the branches trees
loaded down in this way and frozen so as to be firm constitute much
of the difficulty of the route from Flathead or Ponderay Lake to
this place want of grass at this time of the year the residue with

246]

WYETH'S FIRST EXPEDITION.

189

some mire rock mica slate this place is scitiiated on a fine prairie
2 mils long i wide and seems pleasant aftet coming through
thick woods and mountains counting my horses found 32 of
47 with which I started but think I shall recover all but one
left on the I^ake having sent men and Indians in search of tliem
Mr E. came in the boats in 5 days I have now news by four
Indians who came in on the 6th on foot the Nez Perces have lost
all but 4 horses of their band of about 500 stolen by the Blackfeet
The Flatheads expected in about 15 days on the nth start-
ed out to see if there were many beaver in the country with
intention of staying 1 2 days but was recalled by the arrival of the
buffaloe Indians found few beaver and the country can only be
trapped on foot plenty of pa[r]tridges to be found in this country
arrived again at the post on tho 17 th of April my route was
back on the Flathead River.

iSth to 20th . remained at the post having now found all my
horses started camp 2 miles East up the river and to the upper
end of the prairie on which the house is built at this place is a
large creek coming from the N.

2ith rained hard last night and from the 17th to this day have
had one or more slight showers each day the plain is now good
grass we are much an[n]oyed by the dogs of the Indian village
which are numerous they eat all our cords and fur flesh they
can get at in the night this is always a great trouble while travel-
ling with Indians until you get to Buffaloe where they find bet-
ter food for jthree nights no frost This valley is the most
romantic place imaginable a level plain of two miles long by
I wide on the N a range of rocky and snow clad Mts. on
the S. the Flathead river a rapid current and plenty ot good fish-
ing running at the immediate base of another lofty Snowy and
Rocky range of Mts. Above and below the vall[e]y the mountains
of each range close upon the river so as apparently to afford no
outlet either way about 200 horses feeding on the green plain and
perhaps 15 Indian L,odges and numerous barking dogs with now
and then a half breed on horseback galloping gracefully with
plenty of gingling bells attached to all parts of himself and horse

it is reallj' a scene for a poet nought but man is waiting to com-
plete it •

22nd Moved 8 rails E. N. E. along the river at 6 miles
passed a very bad rock called le Roche Mauvais the mountains
as yet closely follow the river on both sides but seem declining in
height as we stopped early we spent the rest of the day in pre-
paring to prevent the blaLc]k Foot from stealing our horses they
have have never but once passed the bad rock and then the Flat-
heads gave them such a beating as keeps [them] since in better
order the[y] infest much the country we are now about entering

100

JOURNAl,:

iH7

23d Moved 8 mils E. N. E. to Horse plain thence N. E.
5 mils cutting a hill and leaving the River which we had her[e]-
tofore followed decending the Mts E. N. E. 6 mils to a large
open vall[e]y in the hills with little timber and much grass op-
posite to our Camp is a mountain where 200 Flatheads Conteray;^,
Fonderays and other Inds. were killed by the Blackfoot Inds.
During the first part of the last division of the days march passed
a small lake with many waterfowl and one sand hill crane. We
are now fairly in the dangerous Country through Horse plain
and into the R Flathead is a small brook to day 2 Indians or-
r[i]ved from the main Flathead Camp at Porte D'enfer with news
that the Blackfoot have made 2 h[a]uls of horses from them the
Flathead Camp consists of men of various tribes

24 mooved E. by S. down the valley to Flathead river then
4 miles E. following the river then Forded it and made 3 mils E.
by N. and encamped on it at a place where last year a man by
the name of La Couse was [killed] by the Blackfoot Inds. the
river is not now high when so it is not fordable and is here
a good sized stream the salts here whiten in the ground and the
animals are almost crazy after it which makes them bad to drive

the morning was sult[r]y and I travelled without my coat but in
the afternoon we had a fine [s]hower with some thunder of good
quality the vallLe]y we left today abounds with the finest
Kamas I have yet seen as provisions are scarce in camp the
women dug much of it

25th Mooved Camp up the main river 12 mils E )4 N. then up
large but fordable branch 3 mils E. by S» trail fine grass go^
weather beautiful no frost for three nights the Climate a\
pears much as at Baltimore at this season

26th made E. along the creek last named 5 mixes then crosses
and followed it 4 mils S. E. then recrossed it and followed it E.
S. E. 3 mils crossing a small branch then 2 mils recrossing
the main creek again then followed i mile E S. E. and recross-
ed it and followed a small branch of it S. E. i mile crossed the
branch and followed it 2 mils S. E. to Camp clear except i
shower but only comfortably warm Count[r]y hilly but open

E. lay a heavy pile of snowy Mts. 5 mils distant ap[p]arently
running N. & S. the rocks for a few days have been Sandstone
mica slate this day saw a white bear which we surrounded to
kill but he broke through and escaped earth in some places
whitened with salt which makes the horses bad to drive horses
getting fat grass good as also the bottom lands which are toler-
ably extensive

27th Remained at same camp snowed a little this day the
Inds went hunting and got one Deer

28th Abbot brought in one Beaver started Camp 2 mils S. E. 2
S.S.E.2 S.4 S.by W. thus far through woods and a defile crossing the
vide between the creek which we were on and another going to

[»47

248]

WYRTH'vS FIRST EXPEDITION.

191

the

that branch of the Flathead river to [which] we came this day.
then into open plains snowy mts on each side 3 mils S. S. K.
then 5 mils S E by E crossing two slews of the Flathead river
and Camped on a third and larger one which we shall be obliged
to raft over I judge it twice as large as the one we crossed
some days since the river here runs S. W. a little snow today
quarrelled and parted with my man Woodman he appeared to think
that as I had but two he might take libertys under such circum-
stances I will never yield an inch I paid him half as I conceive
he had gone half the route with me here we met some Inds from
the great Camp which they say is a moderate Camp distant

29th Forgot to mention in proper place that I saw Plumb
trees at the place we left W. branch of the Flathead
river these are said to be good about [one] inch through ripe
in Sept. and found nowhere else but at this place I tried hard to
get some stones but could not Moved this day S. S. W. we
crossed by fording contrary to expectation by loading high
and taking high horses at 8 miles struck another branch of
same river as large as those already passed at 4 miles further a
creek from opposite side ford tolerably good at 20 miles
came to main Camp of no Lodges Containing upward of 1000
souls ,.'ith all of which I had to shake hands the Custom in
meeting these indians is for the Coming party to fire their arms
then the other does the same then dismount and form single file
both sides and passing each other shake hands with men women and
children a tedious job buifaloe have come here and even further
but thej' are killed at once and do not get wonted herfe] the
racine amani or Spetulum is found this Camp is on the river
good grass river direct S. S. W. six nights since the Blackfoot
stole horses from this Camp here I found thre[e]
Canadians one of whom was one who came to us the night be-
fore we were fired on on the heads of the Spanish River this
days march between two parralled ranges of Mts now Snowy but
I think not always so there is much kamas in this region we
find little meat in the Indian Camp and are therefore much short-
[e]ned for food

30th went out to collect some flowers for friend Nuttall after-
wards to see the Camp find 1 20 lodges of us today some having
arrived they are collecting to go to the Buifaloe in force to meet
the Blackfeet looked at their games one is played by two men
at a time a level place is made on the ground about 15 feet long
by 3 feet wide with a small log of wood at each end to stop a
small iron ring which one of them rools from one end of the
all[e]y to the other both following it each having an arrow
which they endeavor to throw after and under it so that when
stopped it will rest on one of them the one on whose arrow it is
wins at least this is all I understand of the game the game is
kept by a third by means of placing sticks on one side or the

192

JOURNAL:

[a49

other another feat much in practice from the smallest to the
largest in Camp is two with some arrows throw them so as to
go as near the first thrown as possible advancing continually untill
all are expended then throwing them back again in same manner
another game is two or more opposite the one side having some
small article in their hand keep changing it from one hand to
the other as swift as possible accompanied by a tune and motion
of body and limbs except feet (for they sit all the time) the get
is for the other party to designate the hand in which it rema[ijns
at the last this is the most practised game and requires much
dexterity on both sides it is kept with sticks as the first every
morning some important Indian addresses either heaven or his
countrymen or both I believe exhorting the one to good conduct
to each other and to the strangers among them and the other to
bestow its blessings he finishes with "I am done["] the whole
set up an exclamation in concord during the whole time
Sunday there is more parade of prayer as above nothing is done Sun-
day in the way of trade with these Indians nor in playing games
and they seldom fish or kill game or raise camp while prayers are be-
ing said on week days everyone ceases whatever vocation he is about
if on horseback he dismounts and holds his horse on the spot un-
til all is done Theft is a thing almost unknown among them and
is punished by fiogging as I am told but have never known an in-
stance of theft among them the least thing even to a bead or
pin is brought you if found and things that we throw away this
is sometimes troublesome I have never seen an Indian get in an-
ger with each other or strangers. I think you would find among
20 whites as many scoundrels as among 1000 of these Indians they
have a mild playful laughing disposition and their qualities are
strongly portrayed in their countenances. They are polite and unob-
trusive and however poor never beg except as pay for services and in
this way they are moderate and faithful but not industrious, they
a re very brave and fight the blackfeet who continually steal their
horses and kill their straglers with great success beating hollow
equal numbers They wear as little clothing as the weather will
permit sometimes nothing on excep[t] a little thing to cover the
privates and sometimes but rare this is ommitted at play but not
when there are women and allways at a race the women are close-
ly covered and chaste never cohabiting promisc[u]ously with the
men the pox is not much and perhaps never known among them
it dies here of itself when brought from the coast where it is rife
the young women are good looking and with dress and cleanliness
would be lovely today about 100 of them with their root diggers
in their hands in single file went out to get roots they staid about
two hours and returned in the same order each time passing the
chiefs lodge it was evidently a ceremony but the import I could
not learn in a lodge or other place when one speaks the rest pay
strict attention When he is done another assents by "yes" or

25o]

WYETH'S FIRST EXPEDITION.

dissents by "no" and then states his reasons which are heard as
attentively it is a practice when a woman has her courses to make
a little lodge outside her husbands lodge and there remain until
they are finished. The more peaceable dispositions of the Indians
than the whites is plainly seen in the children I have never
heard an angry word among them nor any quarrelling altho there
are here at least 500 of them together and at play the whole time
at foot ball bandy and the like sports which give occasion to so
many quarrells among white children

May I St. Same camp the day reminds me of home and its
customs it is a fine and almost summer day altho the nights
have been frosty of late but the days are warm This morning
the squaws left camp with their root diggers singing in good
accord the tunes of their country Yesterdtay] Mr. Ermatinger
traded 29 beavers I find an Indian Camp a place of much
novelty the Indians appear to enjoy their amusements with
more zest than the whites altho they are simple they are great
gamblers in proportion to their means bolder than the whites

2nd Moved Camp 2 miles S. E. by E. 4 miles S by E. over a
hilly but open country and diverging a little from the main river
to the Eastward and Camped on a small river going to the same
river the two parallel ranges of Mts. still continue on either side
of the river It rained a little of the last night and some this morning
the day is cloudy and moderately warm The absence of quarrells
in an Indian Camp more and more surprises me when I come and
see the various occasions which would give rise to them among
the whites the crowding together of from 1 2 to 1 800 horses
which have to be driven into Camp at night to stake in mng. to
load the starting of horses and turning of loads the seizing of
fuel when scarce, often the case, the plays of men and Boys &c.
At the Camp yesterday saw the bones of a buffalo bull not old
being the first sign of buffaloe yet seen.

3d. Same Camp.

4th Same Camp To day heard a sound like a heavy' piece of
ordonance and I suppose arising from the fall of some mighty
fragment of rock from the mountains The sound seemed to
come from the N. I suppose the sound heard in the Snake coun-
try arose from the same cause altho then no heavy mountains
were in sight but there were cut rocks enough weather some-
what smokey but warm and clear A party of hunters who pro-
posed to go out for beaver deferred the thing on ace. of the water
being too high to set a trap. A Thunder storm in the afternoon
with high wind from the S. W. and Rain.

5th. Sunday according to our reconing there is a new great
man no[w] getting up in the Camp and like therestofthew[o]rld
[he] covers his designs under the great cloak religion his followers
are now dancing to their own vocal music in the plain perhaps
1-5 of the Camp follow him when he gets enough followers he

194

JOI'RNAL:

[asi

will branch off and be an independent chief he is getting up
some new form of religion among the Indians more simple than
himself like others of his class he works with the fools women
and children first while he is doing this the men of sense thinking
it too foolish to do harm stand by and laugh but they will soon
find that women fools and children form so large a majority that
with a bad grace they will have to yield. These things make me
think of the new lights and revivals of New England rains a lit-
tle today

6th. Bright and clear found all of my horses three of
which had been missing Moved 4 mils S. and encamped on a
creek of the main river about i ^ mils from the latter

7th. Same Camp cloudy all night and today but warm

8th. Same Camp last night had a false alarm Some inds.
of the camp who were gambling for a gun discharged it before
laying [it] on the stakes This though a common occurrence
gave the horses a fright and one frightens another in those cases
until all are alarmed the running of those that have got loose the
snorting stamping and rearing of those who cannot when
there are at least 1 500 the Howling of dogs men running with
guns the contrast of firelights with the darkness of the night
make altogether a scene of confusion to be recollected This day
hunters "'ent out 2 only one returned sun two hours high with
one antelope the other at night wHh 4 To day a small boy
broke his arm but as I understood that the Indians reduce frac-
tures well and as I am quite ignorant I did not meddle with it

9th. Moved S. by E 6 mils and camped on the main river
on the march saw two bla[c]kfeet who ran with all the speed of
their horses to the mountains a little rain but warm high
wind and somewhat dusty The rain does not seem to lay the
dust in the least Tbo country covered for the first time with
sage and so far the same kind of minerals aj> near the Ponderay
Lake This afternoon came to us a Snake a Nez Perce and
a Flat head on foot they came from Salmon River and bring no
news except that the Nez Perce Camp is at Salmon river and
that they are mostly without horses

loth Mooved 7 mils E. by E. [?3 rained a little shower but
clear in the afternoon. This moment Chief Guineo is saying the
usual afternoon prayers I observe that he first makes a long one
which is responded to by the usual note in accord then a short
one followed by the same note on horse back the whole time
walking about the Camp hat on in an audible voice and
directed as though addressing the men below rather than "him"
above To day 1 1 Flatheads started on foot to steal horses from
the Blackfeet

nth Started out early hunting for the first time this trip
We are now short of provisions. The Camp moved 10 mils S.
by E. and camped on the river the wide bot[t]om of which is

25a]

WYRTH'S FIRST EXPEDITION.

the river is
long prayers
singing as an

done it is now jammed in between the hills during this dis-
tance passed two small creeks big enough for beaver only saw
four antelope killed nothing saw two olived green snakes about
2 Yi feet long blunt tail but slender afternoon clear and warm

1 2th Being Sunday remained at same Camp the hills here
are of Granite with large bed of quartz. Mica slate is common
Gneiss also in some places the same rock as at Kittle falls ob-
served in one place a black mineral like that found at Franconis[?]
covering iron ore it looks like horse hair in a mass combed
straight the hills are now well covered with grass
now at its highest but is fordable this morning
in form as usual at some lodges the Inds. are
act of devotion

13th Went out hunting killed one N. E. pa[r]tridge only

saw 4 cubs 4 deer Camp moved 6 mils S. S. £. and
camped on the W. side we approach the head of this river fast

14th. remained at same Camp snow and sleet all day An
Indian died in camp to <lay but I do not think the Camp was de-
layed on that account it was a bad day which I think the reason

his friends are now singing over him according to their custom

15th Made 6 miles S. S.K. and crossed the river and camped on
a little creek crossing two on the W. side all too small at low
water for beaver, snowed last night and until 8 this mng. altho
as much as 4 inches of snow has fallen it is at 11 oclock all gone
except the hills which are white grass good Granite country
and fertile in the bottoms and and on the hills and mountain
sides

1 6th Made 9 mils S. E. following a creek of the main river

about y-i the size of the same this we crossed 6 times during
the day this morning 4 inches snow which fell during the night
but all gone at 9 ock fair at 4 in afternoon this day finishes
all our provisions in above distance river crooked .

17th. 2 miles S. E. 3 E and cutting a high mountain i
mile S by E. and struck the river again in a large and fertile
plain here crossed the main branch of it and followed 2 miles a
creek running S by E at the place where we left the river it
receives a small creek from the S and where we struck it again
another quite small from the N. The main branch appears to run
about E. from the plain when arrived at Cimp finding no meat
I took my traps out to catch beaver when returning saw
the squaw bringing in moss and roots when I came in found the
hunters had come in with one bear one Elk and several deer and 5
beaver this makes a timely supply Indiaiis are gone ahead to see
the mountain is passiable This mountain divides us from the
heads of the Missouri.

I8th 2 miles up the creek S. by E. then assending the
mountain S. E. 2 more then 2 S by E down the mountain
and struck a little thread of water which during 28 mils

196

JOURNAL:

[253

increased gradually to a little river and S. E. to another coming
from the S. and both go off together N. this is one of the heads
of the Missouri we crossed it and camped here we found both
Bulls and cows which makes all merry this pass is good going
when there is no snow now there was about one foot in places
drifted more we took 8 hours to pass there is a visible change
in the appoearance vegetation is not so forward the trees appear
stinted and small the land poorer and covered with Sedge

the other side there is Httle on the W. side all is
granite as soon as I passed the divide I saw Pudding Stone we
had showers of snow and rain this day but this I believe is con-
stant in this region at this time of the year the Mt. is much
higher [on] the W. than [on! the E. side This I observed also at the
Trois Tetons The grass is poor and has started but little the
prairie in some places has snow The vall[e]y runs N and S. and
is bounded E. and W. by a range of Mts. this day my horse
keeper left me taking an offence at some misinterpretation about
a horse. The i6th. Woodman came to camp from his hunt for
beaver tired and famished having eated nothing for three f^.ays

19th Same Camp snowed by fits most of the day being
Sunday the medicine chief had devotional exercises with his fol-
lowers he formed them into a ring men women and children and
after an address they danced to a tune in dancing the[y] keep
the feet in the same position the whole time mer[e]ly jumping up
to the tune keeping the hands in front of them at intervals he
addressed them at night Blackfeet were seen prowling about the
camp at least so the Indians say erected myself a lodge for the
first time in the country and paid a treat of rum &c to the whites
in Camp and some of the principal Indians to wet the same as it
is called.

29th. Snowing hard in the morning one horse so lame that
if we move Camp to day he will remain for the Blackfoot or
wolves. Much the same. Started at half past 12 found
the horse could be drove a little got him along about four miles

shall return for him to morrow this day 9 miles E. S. E. over
a level plain of rich deep soil wet and mir>' in the extreme saw
our Indians running buffaloe ahead At 5 mils crossed a little
brook running N by E and camped on a considerable creek run-
ning N. by E. and all falling in to the same as the creek we left

At about the junction it doubles round a point of mountains
and apparently takes a north [?]eastwardly course rain snow and
and sunshine as usual today. 4 hunters left us to day to hunt
beaver in the Blackfoot country, Pellew, Charloi, Narbesse.Rivej'.

2ist. Same Camp sent back and brought the lame horse into
Camp Went out to the mountain to cut log poles found a
Blackfoot lodge recently occupied snow as usual saw the Indians

254]

WYKTirS FIRST RXPKDITION.

197

cooking a root resembliti}? the yellow dock, but not so yel-
lov\ tasted like parsnip raw, informed by them that it is bad
before ))eing cooked suppose it is more or less poisonous

2 2d Same camp Blue Devils all Day Turned in

23d 6 miles S. S. K. and up the valley 3 vS E by vS. 3 S. K.
This valley is all good land al)out four miles wide and perhaps 50
long and how much further it goes N. I cannot say. Went out
to hunt buffaloe killed one Klk out of a large band mountains
with snow each side of valley snowed a little as usual

24th A double portion of the usual weather viz. rain Hail
snow wind rain and Thunder into the bargain we are so near
where they make weather that they .send it as if cost nothing
Course S. E. 6 miles up the creek then by N. E. 3 cutting a
height of land but low and perfectly good going to the head of an-
other river running S. E. down this two miles and camped
hunted today killed one cow saw some hundreds

25th. Followed the creek 5 miles S. S. E. then it turned
round a point more eastv;ardly We continued same course 4
mils and struck a creek going into the same about 2
mils below the point spoken of rain snow & Hail today with
sunshine grass better to day had a long ride before sunrise after
the lame horse which I brought to Camp.

26th Same Camp A blnckfoot Trail discovered in our vicini-
ty a numerous camp of them better weather than usual to day Sun-
day according to our reconing. At night one of two Indians who
started on an express to the Nez Perces Camp returned with
three blankets one white shirt and [some] tobacco and powder
which articles they found buried with a Blackfoot Indian who
was unscalped two bullets through his head and one through
his body We apprehend that there has been a battle between the
Blackfoot Indians and perhaps the whites.

27th 17 mils S. crossing two small forks of the Missouri and
camping on the third of small size near Camp found a red
blankett Hat and some small articles but no body, soon after
Camp arrived one Indian with news and soon after 2 more and
three squaws comprising the only survivor[s] of the battle which
happened thus 21 Nez Perces 18 Flathead and two Iroquois
and I Ponderai started with intent to steal horses from the Black-
feet near the head of Salmon River they saw 4 and some
horses these they attacked just at this moment a horse threw
one of the Flatheads he seized on one of the horses of the Black-
feet and ran after him up a mountain he looked back and saw a
large number of Blackfeet killing his companions not one surviv-
ed but himself he made the best of his way to the Nez Perce
Camp to tell the sad tale to the wives and children of the dead

in this Camp [where] the relatives of the deceased Flathead are
there is weeping and wailing. Fair all day and comfortably warm,
there were 46 lodges of the Blackft. do not know if women were

198

JOURNAL:

[3S5

with it or not if not it is a much larger Camp than ours, the
blanketts &c found are accounted for in the practice that the
Blkft. have of cutting a piece of flesh from near the shoulder
tying it to an article and throwing it away to propitiate the
Deity the circumstance of the flesh being tied with them I did
not at first know.

28th Moved S. 8 miles following the left branch of the creek
which forks at our last nights camp then S. S. W. 4 miles and
camped on the same creek a little rain just after we came to camp
a band of Buffaloe passed the camp which gave a fine chance to
the Indians to run them one of them they chased into camp and
then killed her a fine cow.

29th Moved S. by E. 6 miles cutting the divide of waters and
struck a small creek going into Salmon river then 7 miles S by
B. following the creek through high hills of lime rock on which
wc found plenty of sheep some of which were killed then
3 miles S. W. and struck Salmon River here a small creek run-
ning through a fine open plain valley about 6 miles wide and ex-
tending each way as far as the eye could reach the river runs
here about W. by N. On the S. side is a high range of snowy
mountains perhaps not covered the whole year this range is
parrallel with the river, the country I should call for two days
back volcanic flints are found in abundance some of the stones
have a white crust on the outside of them whether of lime or
Epsom salts can not say both abound the lime rock is most-
ly slate blue but is found in layers of all shades from white to
deep blue and very much contorted and forming frequent caves
and holes. It is the intention of the chiefs to remain at this
camp until the Nez Perces come to us and then to move together.
This morning left my wounded horse.

30th. Same Camp rained all last night and all day Went
up into the mountains to hunt sheep wounded one but a snow
storm coming on his trail was covered and I lost him Saw plenty

it is surprising to view the places where they go no one would
imagine it possible for 'n animal to climb the rocks they do Got
nothing and hearing a iiring hast[en]ed to the top of a hill to see
if the Camp was attacked but found that the Nez Perces had ar-
rived with 9 whites a Mr. Hodgskins at their head. This
party is 16 lodges and only escaped the Blkft. by the latter filling
in with 31 Indians 30 of whom they killed It is supposed the
30 killed about 50 of the Blkft. They mustered about 700 all
men and were sufiicient to cut off" all our Camps if they would
trade man for man.

31st Got news that 20 lodges of Blkft. are now camped at our
camp of 2 1 St Inst, and I think likely that these are the same who
killed the 30 Indians and as usual 10 times over rated. This
day moved 7 miles S. E. up the river and following a small creek
near our camp of last night a creek comes in from the S. one

[aS5

356]

WYKTirS FIRST EXPEDITION.

199

which we followed coming from N. W. this one frolm]the S. S.
Iv. the main river S. K. went into the mts. saw antelope kill-
ed nothing in the mountains heavy thunder with a snow and
hail storm and high wind.

June I St Same Camp some snow on Mts. got wet.

2nd 17 miles S. E. i K. by N. through an open plain nearly
level finished the streams of Salmon river and struck one called
little Goddin it terminates near the three butes in a little lake

here goes S. £. through the valley the mts. appear terminat-
ing on both sides a fair day the S. r ange comprises much more
of a stone which I will call quartz the same as is found at Kettle
falls there is also lime stone Blue and without organic remains.

3d 1 5 miles S. E. through the same vall[e]y gradually de-
cending the stream became a rapid and pretty large one as
large as some that pass 300 miles We camped at a narrow pass
formed of low hills here is between the hills a slough of clay
saturated with Epsom salts the hills are of Basaltic rock in
coUumns the first I have seen in this region lime rock is found
here in pudding rock Killed plenty of BufTaloe here

4th. Moved through the vall[e]y following the river called as
I am informed little Goddin in a S. E. by E. 6 miles during
which space I found the lower hills of Basalt the mts. are ot
lime rock the same as passed her[e]tofor[e] Wind high N. W.
which brings warm weather here and clear grass very bad.

5th. Clear warm day moved S. E. by E. 8 miles went in
search of Buffaloe found none Saw an old Blkft. Camp of 65
fires half as large as our present camp Saw several whirlwinds
which raised the dust at a distance and appears much like smoke.
Saw the three Butes come in sight one by one and then theTrois
Tetons the Butes S. E. by S. 20 mils distant about so far
this river rapid and little brush and no beaver grass worse and
worse.

6th. Same Camp last night arrived 3 Kootenays with 25
beaver who left us on Flathead river being on foot the whole
time last night sent out Indians to see in what direction were
the most Buffaloe one came back this mng. reports cows to
theS.

7th Moved E. N. E. 15 miles and without water the whole
route the Trois Tetons bearing E. perhaps 90 miles distant over
a level and dry plain without grass or extremely lit*le in the aft-
ernoon had a gale from the S. W. which blew dowti the lodges
accompanied with a little rain and enough dust to sufi*. ile one

on our left there is a range of high hills from wl ich come
numerous streams but they sink in the plain and are warm and
muddy went out this evening to bring in the meat of a cow
killed in the forenoon and found a horse extremely fat it is sur-
prising how fat a horse gets by being left to himself no groom-

200

JOURNAL:

[257

ing that I have ever seen will make a horse appear as beautiful as to
be left to his own resources the Rutes bear due S.

8th 5 miles N. following the same creek up which grows
larger as we assend had a fine rain & Hail and Thunder today
which is Sunday. Water very muddy grass little and but a
little

9th. 10 miles N. and following the creek has some tolerable
wild[?J cotton wood and willow on it wind N. clear and windy

country sams Three Nez Perces arrived at camp Bring news
that Payette is with four Nez Perces Chiefs. Capt Serrey with
7 is detained by snow that the Blackfeet village is camped at
the spot where we met the Nez Perces. We find that Payette
will meet us at the forks Capt Serrey has got 31 horses this
day a bull was run into camp which I shot at my lodge door To
day an Indian was running bulls he turned the horse stopped
and threw him the bull gored him into bis chest so that his
breath was made through the apparture by the help of the
women he reached camo. When Mr. Ermatinger dressed his
wound he very composedly made his will by word of mouth the
Indians responding in concord at the end of each sentence. He
appeared not in the least intimidated by the approach of death. I
think the Indians die better than the whites perhaps they have
less superstition in regard to the future and argue that as the
deity makes them happy here he will also heareafter if there is
existence for them.

loth. Same camp another Indian came to camp who had
been looking out for the Blkft. He was ambuscaded by two of
them and narrowly escaped by the goodness of his horse being
wounded slightly in the nose.

nth Same camp fresh news of the Blkft. Made horse pen
that ray horses might be safe. I do not apprehend any serious
attack but only that they will come suddenly with a great noise
of voices and guns and fright[en] the horses on such occasions
horses become wild one frights another they run over the
lodges this increases the confusion and the yelling firing and run-
ing & snorting of 1200 Indians and 1800 horses is frightfull in-
deed. Sometimes a camp with as many horses as the above
loose every one it is commonly whole or none. Day warm,
clear fiesli wind W.

1 2th. Same camp warm day The Blackft camp about 15
mils from this they are very numerous.

} 13th. Same camp cloudy and cool with high wind from S.
E. Blakft. still near but have attempted nothing yet. Child
died in camp yesterH-.y remains to bury today. Find I have
missed one day in tuy journal which has been done while laying
at some camp and accordingly date tomorrow the 15th.

15th Last night some Blackfoot fired into our camp a ball
passed through a lodge some straggler disappointed of stealing

25«1

WVHTHS I'IRST HXI'IvDITH^N.

^oi

horses I suppose. Moved N. N. K. 5 miles atid camped 011 a
creek now almost dry and soon will be wholly. There is little
but cotton wood on this creek.

i6th. 8 miles N. R. by N. to a small cieek which about a
mile below this joins another larger one. Country nearly level
day windy S. W. wind cool and cloudy Trois Tetons bear E.
S. E. Today saw the Indians carrying the man who was wound-
ed by a Buffaloe no one could receive more attention, one person
to carry water he was on a good bed made on poles the
front of which like shafts were carried by a horse led by his wife

the hinder part by 6 men and women on their shoulders the
camp moved slower than usual for him these things gfive a fav-
orable impression of the Indians.

17th. Same camp rained very hard all last night and until
noon of today an alarm of Blkft last night but I believe little of
these things in so large a camp when it is known that there are
Blkft. near a man straying out of camp is enough to give rise to
a report and a report once raised it gathers like a snow ball.

1 8th. Same camp Severe hail & snow yesterday afternoon and
rain most of last night and until noon today. Camp alx)ut out of
provisions so we are in hopes of moving soon. Nothing but ne-
cessity and that immediate will induce an Indian to do the least
thing, any excuse serves to stop buisness with them and a small
party of whites who are not strong enough to move alone will
find in traveling with them occasion for all the patience they may
have.

19th. 1)2 miles to the main rive here going S. W. this we
found quite deep enough to ford for horses the mules I was ob-
liged to unload and put the loads on the horses 3[?] miles more
passed

three slews of our stream joining the last river mentioned. 3
miles more camped on another branch of it making io><i miles
N. E. by E. day cl>ar snow in patches in shaded places but the
country green with herbage and mostly in blos.som. All rocks
for some days past volcanic. This stream looses f*self in the
plain.

20th. Moved 1 1 miles E. by N. and camped on Kamas River
so called from the abundance of that root in some spot" it is so
abundant as to exclude other vegetation. This Prairie is very ex-
tensive perhaps 15 miles each way and is intersected by numerous
little streams which form otie going to the S. and ends in a small
lake on the plain between this and Lewis river day clear & cool

frost last night snow on all the high hills Trois Tetons bear
E. S. E. I should think about 80 miles distant found Buffaloe
here the first for 10 days when we found the last I think at least
100 were killed in otie day 42 tongues were given to Mr. E. H.
and ravself.

'- i

20 2

JOURNAL

[259

2ist. Late last night arrived 5 hunters Pillew, Nasben, and
Churboye and two Indians who left us on the head of the Mis-
souri having seen plenty of recent sign of the Blkfeet but happily
saw none they killed 94 Beaver. Today went out to hunt kill-
ed one Bull, forenoon showers and lowery Kamas in bloom the
Indians are taking large quantities of it this plain is extensive
but about 7 miles across of it only is rich and that is as good as
any land I ever saw the main plain is much of it bare rock the
surface of which looks like a pan of milk when you push together
the cream evidently it was once a fiery and fluid plain or lake of
of lava, probably the whole plain between these mountains and
the Trois Tetons the rock is porous like honey comb the sur-
face shows plainly the heads of Basaltic colums and in some places
the colums stand not perpendicular but at an angle of 5c degrees
about, same camp.

22nd. Same camp arrived this mng. an express from Bon-
neville this express came from the forks in three days they saw
Blkft. b ' ae way this afternoon Mr. Hodge left to go to Bon-
neville day clear and warm BufFaloe were run into camp.

23rd. Sunday Indians singing and dancing as usual day
warm and clear. These Inds. do nothing on Sunday.

24th. Moved across the plain 3 miles N. E. Day warm and
clear.

25th Yesterday at night some Inds. came in from hunting
Buffaloe reported that they saw two Blkft. and fired on them

at night we saw their fire in the Mts. Same camp fine clear
warm day emploj'^ed in making a saddle.

26th. Same camp went out hunting .saw a few BufFaloe but
killed nothing but a grouse as I had some dispute with Mr.
David Douglass about the grouse of this country I subjoin a dis-
cription; the bird had 10 pointed drab colored, mottled with white,
tail feathers the outer edge of the feathers are only mottled until
you approach their end when both sides are mottled under the
tail are 10 or 12 dark brown feathers ?i as long as the tail feath-
ers white at the termination. The tail feathers are about 8 inches
long. The wing feathers are nearly white underneath and dark
drab outside. From the head of the breast bone to the tail are
many black feathers. On the body under the wings are redisli
grey feathers above the breast and nearly on the neck is a place
devoid of feathers of a dirty olive color each side and a little be-
low this is a tuff of .short sharp pointed dirty white feathers they
look as if they had been clipped with a shears. The tail feathers
look as though they had been burnt off leaving the stalk of the
quill projecting. The bill is short and curved downwards above
the bare spot on the neck are short mottled feathers crtam, white
and black. It is feathered to the toes which are threeandasmall
one behind. The hinder part of the leg is not feathered from the
knee downwards Toe nails short and obscure, its liack pretty

26o]

WYKTIT'S FIRvST BXPB:niTION.

203

uniformly mottled with deep brown dirty white approaching dirty
yellow and dun colored weight 4 y^ lbs, length from point of
tail feathers to tip of bill 25 inches from tips of wings 3 Yi ft.
We were regaled by thunder shower on our leturn to camp saw
Blkft. trail and a cow recently killed by them.

27th. Same camp nothing remarkable.

28th. Same camp nothing but lice and dirt. Cool today.

29th. Same camp a« vesterday went out to hunt killed one
Buffaloe which fell into the liver and had to butcher him up to
my middle in cold water. Some hunters who went out today
came in with news that they had seen the Blkft. camp on Tobacco
river one of the heads of the Missouri they say it is larger than
ours.

30th Same camp Sunday Indians praying, dancing & sing-
ing.

I St July. Moved 2 miles S. and down the creek clear moder-
ately warm day the first for three days nights have been frosty

ice made in our pots & pails. Men came from Bonneville in the
evening.

2nd. Moved S. 12 miles and camped on same creek on the
way observed some fine luxuriant clover grass good about 9
miles down the creek w[h]ich rapidly increases in size from num-
erous springs w[h]ich are of fine cold water we camped in a clus-
ter of large cotton wood large for this place about 10 inches
through,

3rd. Last night a Bear made his way into camp among the
horses and gave a considerable alarm but was off before guns could
be got out. Today moved 16 miles S. S. W. and camped on
same creek with Mr. Bonneville with about 40 men bound for
Green river. I have heretofore forgot to mention that at our
camp of I St July we left about 40 lodges of the Flatheads coun-
try this days route dry and barren day warm.

4th. Same camp at night saw a band of Blackfeet a little
above camp clear warm day.

5th. Same camp.

6th. Same camp very warm weather.

7th. This morning our camp forked in three directions Mr.
Hodgkin[?] for a trapping excursion with ihe Nez Perces, Mr.
Ermatniger with the Ponderays to go to Flathead river, ourselves
East 18 miles to Henrys fork here wooded with narrow leafed cot-
ton wood our route over a v&cy dry plain passing at about half
the distance some low hills of pure sand with not the least ap-
pearance of vegetation. The party is 26 all told.

8th. Followed up the river where we were much annoyed by
mosquitos about 8 miles N. N. K. there forded it about belly deep

going E. by S. 5 mils to a large river which must be Lewis
fork here we found Buffaloe these two rivers form a junction
about 15 miles from this point as I believe near two butes but

2CJ4

JOURNAL

[261

■t

some say not until you get as low as Three Butes on this river
are not many mosquitoes.

9th. Made this day 22^ miles due East toward the Trois Te-
tons at 8 miles struck a small creek with cut rock banks run-
ning N. W. and to the river last crossed, which is not Lewis forkr
At 20 miles cut a mountain which rises and is wooded to the vS
W. and diminishes to the plain to the N. E. We entered Pierre's
Hole and camped on the N. W. side of it. Here we found Buf-
faloe.

loth. Moved 12 miles S. E. crossing a difficult swamp and
camped about 2 miles from the battle ground of last year with the
Ciros Ventres Day warm and a great quantity of grasshoppers for
several days past so much so as to discolor the ground in many
places.

nth. vStarted early and made 3 miles E. S. E. to the foot of
the mountains then 8 miles E. S. E. to the summit then 6 miles
E. to Lewis fork and i mile E. across it at the same place we
crossed last year found it very high for fording but succeeded
at last. Wind strong N. W. clear and moderately warm. Hors-
es troubled with horse flies on the mountanis but not in this plain

found buffaloe in the bottom also mosquitoes The river is here
much choked up with islands and heaps of drift wood and a great
quantity of mud in coming over the mountains lost one mule and
sent a man back for it he has not returned yet [at] sundown

got a wet jacket in the river trying to find a ford. There is
the trail of about 8 men who have passed through this defile be-
fore us as I think about 14 days they marked a name on the
trees and we suppose that they are men of Dripps & Fontenelle.
We as yet see no appearance of the Blkft. except very old forts
and lodges. Lewis fork here runs vS. E. about 9 miles then turns
S.

1 2th. This morning my man came back having been out all
night he found the mule at our last camp. Made this day 9
miles vS. E. along the river then 3 miles E. S. E. to a small creek
running into the river. At this place 9 men under Capt. Stevens
were attacked by about 30 Blkft. a little later than this time last
year and several of them killed. Mr. Bonneville informs me that
wh'^n he passed last year in August their bones were laying about
tht; valley. I am apprehensive that More, a sick man whom I
let.: in charge of Stevens, must be on of them. 6 miles moreover
a hilly broken limestone country S. E. to a considerable fork of
Lewis river this stream is strongly impregnated with sulphur.
This camp is almost without grass. In the first place this morn-
ing we moved 3 miles and crossed a creek putting into the river.
At our camp of to night there is a small branch joining the creek
irom the S. E.

13th. East 5 miles N. E. 'j mile through bad cut rocks on

I 26 1

Ca6a

WYETH'S FIRST EXPEDITION.

ao5

the N. side of the river there is also a trail on the S. side then
y2 mile E. then % mile S. E. then following a left hand fork
of the river a few rods N. E. crossed it and made E. 3 ^iles to
the right hand fork again which we followed E. 2 miles then S.
E. 4 miles to camp crossing it several times a good trail most
of the way one horse of the Indians killed by falling from the
cut rock trail down to the river in the first of the cut rocks there
is a handsome cave rock lime & sand a few boulders of granite
seen today as also on the E. side of the mountains of Pierres hole.
The river which we followed this day is rapid and too deep below
the branches to ford during the last of the route several small
forks from each side.

14th. Made 9 miles S. E. to the height of land between this
river and. Green river then 5 miles S. S. E. to a creek running.in-
to Green river, there are good trails all the way and to the di-
vide much timber The creek on which we camped last night just
above the camp divided into three forks. We followed the most
southwardly for awhile then mounted the hill on the left side of
it. There has been for two days a high range of Mts. on our left
about 10 miles distant apparently of sand stone and limestone

these [trend] E. S. E. & N. N. W. and on the divide between this
and Wind river also on our right there have been a range of Mts.
of same composition about 1 5 mils distant. Both ranges have
snow in patches Many alarms today but still no enemys killed
plenty of BufFaloe.

15th. Made E. S. E. 12 miles to Green river and to Mr. Bon-
nevilles fort day clear and fine. Found here collected Capt.
Walker, Bonneville, Cerry, of one Co. Dripps & Fontenelle of the
Am. Fur Co. Mr. Campbell just from St. Louis, Mess. Fitzpatric,
Gervais, Milton Sublette of the Rocky Mountain Fur Co. and
in all the Cos. about 300 whites and a small village of Snakes

here I got letters from home. During the last year among all
the Cos there has been in all about 25 men killed two of my ori-
ginal party with them, viz Mr More & O'Neil. [O'Neal?]

1 6th. Same camp.

17th. Moved 10 miles down the river S. E. it is here a large
and rapid stream and to be forded only in a few places. Here we
were followed by the Snake village we encamped with the Rocky
Mountain Fur Co.

1 8th to the 24 remained at the same camp during which time
the weather was pleasant and warm for several nights we were
an[n]oyed by mad dogs or wolves which I cannot say but believe
the latter as one was killed. I think one animal did the whole
mischief as when men were bitten at one camp none were at the
other about nine persons were bitten at Dripps & Fontenelles
camp and three at ours. D. & Fs. camp i.s 4 miles above us on
the same side of the river we hope he was not mad as no sim-
tons have yet appeared.

2o6

JOURNAL

[263

24th. Moved E. 1 2 miles cutting a small divide came to a
wide valley parallel with Wind river Mt i. in which we crossed 3
large creeks and camped on the 4th. which has much pine timber
on it and is called Pine fork they all come into one quite soon
by appearance and are not near as large as the main fork on
which we first found the whites and which we have now cross-
ed. In coming here it passed to our left that is up stream. Found
plenty of Antelope and Bulls.

25th. Crossed the stream and moved E. S. E. 3 miles to a
creek the same on which I made a cash last year and crossed at
a good ford just below two stony hills then on 7 Yz mile E. S.
E. following a branch of the same creek and camped to noon.
Buffaloe throwing the dust in the air in every direction and An-
telope always in sight. This day a- Mr. Worthington in running
a bull fell from his horse, the Bull furious ran at the horse and
passed him within 3 feet then turned again and passed him he
having got up from the ground ran and escaped he killed the
bull and found he had but one CA'e owing to which circumstance
he escaped. Afternoon made S. E. 13 miles leaving the last creek
of what is called New fork to which all the waters we have pass-
ed since leaving rendesvous belong the one we camped on last
night heads in a lake about i % miles over and not far from
where we slept. We now struck t\ e west fork of Sandy and
camped at an old camp of last year at a place ^^ here Ball left his
rifle[?] Country covered with Buffaloe.

26th. Made S. E. 9 miles and camped on another fork of San-
dy then S. E. by E. 15 miles to Sweet water all the country is
granite from rendesvous so far Buffaloe quite plenty also Antel-
ope Today shot a cow with ^ very young calf the calf ran after
our mules for a long way until it found the difference.

27th. Made down the creek i y2 miles E. S. E. then E. 8
miles to another branch of Sweet water then 6 miles E. b)'^ N. to
another branch of same then down this branch S. E. 2 miles and
camped. Saw one band of Elk and many Antelope plenty ot
Buffaloe.

28th. Made E. 2 mils to another Creek running vS. by E. cross-
ed made E. 6 miles E. by N. 4 miles at the creek a sort of
slate prevailed but soon ran into a red sandstone passed at 1 1
mils a small pond to our right few Buffaloe today last night
Capt. Stewart had some sport with a bear near our camp in the
willows which he wounded but did not kill He represented him
as large as a mnle. In the afternoon made E. by N. 6 miles to
Sweet water river thenN. E. 3 miles up it and camped. I came
ahead and found a white bear in a thickett and after firing a pis-
tol and throwing stones into it started him out be came as though
he meant to fight us but I gave him the shot of my rifle through
the body He then rushed on us and I ran as fast as I could Mr.

264]

WYKTH'S FIRST EXPEDITION.

207

Kamel [Campbell?] snapped at him Mr Sublette ran also being on a
mule

the bear followed us no great distance and turned and ran up
creek some horsemen followed and killed him after putting 4
more balls into him.

29th. Same camp, rained all day two men went out to hunt
and at night one returned alone the other in the morning being
still absent.

30th. Started out to hunt the man and in about 8 miles came
to the place hunted the whole country over and found nothing
but a white bear the largest and the whitest I have yet seen run
him about a mile and fired one shot but could not kill him. After
a long ride returned to camp found the party had moved on
followed them N. N. W. in 6 miles struck Po[r]poise in a small rapid
thread running through sandstone banks this we followed N.
W. 3 miles then N. by E. 9 miles more thousands of Buffaloe in
sight and the red bottom of the streams deep and muddy with re-
cent rains and found camp a little after sundown. The afternoon
of the 29th we found lime rock almost entirely today sand stone
and a kind of glassy stone resembling Carnelian a coarse kind
of which I think it is.

31st N. N. W. 8 miles through a muddy Bottom and little
grass to some large willows found a party of 4 whites who have
lost their horses and one of them wounded in the head with a Ball
and in the body with an arrow very badly they suppose the
Snakes did it but I think not. Little grass. In the afternoon
moved N. 9 miles to the junction of Great Po[r]poise river which
comes from the S. W. then N. by E. 4 miles to the junction of
Wind river which comes from th*^ W. turning around as I supose
and running along Wind River Mountains which run N. W. Al-
together they form a large and muddy river bvt fordable now
which is after a heavy rain.

Aug. ist. Same camp find Mr. Bonneville camped a few miles
alwve us. On farther inquiry I changed my opinion expressed
above in regard to the Indians who stole the horses I think they
were 15 Snakes who left our camp at Green river a few days be-
fore we left that place. The case was this. Mr. Bridger sent 4
men to this river to look for us viz Mr. Smith, Thomson, Char-
boneau a half breed and Evans. Two days before it happened 1 5
Inds came to them (Snakes) and after smoking departed the
second day after they were gone Thompson having been out hunt-
ing [hobbled?] his horse to the others and thought he would
sit down by them until it was time to water them and having been
on guard much of the time previous fell asleep he was waked by
a noise among the horses which he supposed to [be] his comrades
come to water them raising his head and opening his eyes the
first thing that presented itself to his sight was the muzzle; of a
gun in the hands of an Indian it was immediately discharged

208

JOURNAL

[265

and so near his head that the front piece of his cap alone saved
his eyes from being put out by the powder the Ball entered the
head outside of the eye and breaking the cheek bone passing
downward and lodged behind the ear in the neck this stunned
him and while insensible an arrow was shot into him on the top
of the shoulder downward which entered about 6 inches, the Inds
got 7 horses all there were. Charboneau pursued them on loot
but wet his gun in crossing a little stream and only snapped twice.

2nd, Found the river unfordable and assended to west cross-
ing Po[r]poise & Wind river 5 miles up and madetheno 2c miles
N. E. by N. to a little creek going to Wind now on our right.

3rd. II miles N. N. E. to the summit of the mountains which
are called little Wind River Mts. and run E. &: W. then N. 5
miles to the river.

4th. 2 miles N. along the river to a clurap of sweet cotton
wood.

5th. 7 miles N. by W. to the River which between makes a
considerable bend to the eastward camped in good grass and some
large cotton wood trees' this morning past beautiful camps aft-
ernoon N. by E. 12 miles 3 horses found this day and yesterday

probably left by some party of Inds. who have passed this way

saw the tracks of several more we think that when the Crows
stole horses of the Snakes last winter they came this route and
left their animals on account of giving out for want of food in the
snow. Few Buffaloe and those running indicates Indians near.

6th. N 10 miles to the River again to noon found little grass

day cool afternoon 10 miles N. N. E. to the main river again.
Since crossing the last Mts. we crossed a creek the second
forenoon afternoon one yesterday 2 today 2 all small and I
suppose sometimes dn,-^

7th. 12 miles N. N. W and camped on Grey Bull River here
I found a piece of about 5 lbs of Bituminous coal which burned
freely It had in it some substance which I took to be Amber al-
so an impression of wood It looked like and as good as Liverpool
Coal. Its fracture was too perfect to have come far. 20 miles
above and on the E. side comes in the River Travelled [?] in after-
noon 6 miles N. N. W. and again struck Wind river. Shell
river comes in 3 miles below Grey Bull on the E. side and from
the Mts. in the direction E. by N. Grey Bull is from the S. W.
and much the largest stream on this side since Wind river. For
three days have found no Bufifaloe and from the nature of the
country think it is not often found in abundance along here ex-
cept in the winter no antelope a few Elk and deer.

8th. W. N. W. 3 miles then 21 miles N. E. toward the right
of two considerable Mts. where W^ind river passes. We camped
West of these hills on a river larger than Grey Bull called Stink-
ing River coming from the S. W. This days travel was made be-
tween parrallel ridges of broken lime and sand rock some of it ap-

-r^fcj^^j^

[269

WYETH'S FIRST EXPEDITION.

2og

peared calcined and much like fine caked salt. This day picked
up some shell they are very numerous also a round concretion
which are found also on Cannon Ball River from which the
name also a concretion of much the same substance but long
pointed at one end with a core in the middle a hole at big end.
During this space there was no water to our right there is a
range of Mts. running N. W. about 9 miles distant and the other
sid? of Wind River.

9th. 10 miles N. striking a small stream of water This days
travel and yesterday was over ground naked of vegetables in
which the animals sank near six inches deep at every step per-
fectly dry and resembling, but of different color, lime in the op-
eration of slacking full of holes down which the waters at the
wet season sink the rock is sand and lime stone.

loth. N. 15 miles passing near but not exactly on the river
and through rocky hills of no great height. The river here looks
tranquil but flows between two perpendicular banks of stone of
perhaps 5 to 800 feet high the chasm even at the top of no great
width the rock of lime and sand this days march saw Plaster
of Paris found for first time this year ripe Service berrys. Kill-
ed one mountain sheep which was all the meat killed this day for
48 men short commons, hard rains last night.

nth. Went out hunting killed 2 Cows and 4 Bulls the
camp made about a N. course at six miles crossed a small creek

at 5 more another probably another branch of the same at
9 more a creek separate from the others but not large all these
creeks have high perpendicular banks and are very bad to cross
in the course of the day saw 4 Bears white. A fine grass country
and a great many Buffaloe.

1 2th. 4 miles N. E. to Big Horn River this day went out to
get Bull Hydes for boat got enough and employed the rest of
the day in making a Boat this day followed down a little stream.

13th. Remained at same camp made a Bull Boat day fine.

14th. Same camp day fine.

15th. Made a start in our Bull Boat found it to answer the
purpose well large enough runs well leaks a little made 3
miles N. E. stream rapid shoals at places 2 feet. Too much
liquor to proceed therefore stopped.

i6th. Made a start in our boat found travelling quite pleasant
but requires much caution on account of some snaggs and bars.
We frequently took one half of the river which dividing again gave
too little water for our boat which draws i Yi feet it is quite too much
the [boat] ought to have been flatter We grounded about 6 times
this forenoon it is surprising how hard a thump these bull Boats
will stand ours is made of three skins is 18 feet long and about
5 Yi wde sharp at both ends round bottom. Have seen on the
banks of the river this forenoon 3 grisly bears and some Bulls in

9X0

JOURNAL

[267

the river and on the banks they stare and wonder much the
direction of this march was as near as I can judge N. by E. we
went from 5 to 1 1 as I think about 6 miles per hour the indirec-
tion I suppose to be not more than ^. All feel badly today from
a severe bout of drinking last night. Afternoon made 4 hours at a
good 6 mile rate grounded three times saw a few elk and much
Beaver sign all day there is here the best trapping that I have
ever found on so large a river it is about 100 yards wide when
all together but is much cut into slews which makes the naviga-
tion very difficult. The musquitoes have anoyed me much today

they affect me almost as bad as a rattle snake this afternoons
course about N. N. W. at 6 miles from our noon camp passed a
place where we supposed the Little Horn River came in from the
S. K. at least there is a considerable river at that place but it is
difficult to tell a returning slew from a river this afternoon a
severe thunderstorm which compelled us to put ashore until it
was over

17th. This day the river made nearly a N. course and we made
about 7 Y-i hours at the rate of about 6 miles the river winding
about ^ of the distance we started at 5 ock. at about 9 ock.
saw several persons ahead on the bank of the river which we at
first supposed to be whites from the fort but soon found to be
Crow Indians they informed us that the whole nation was be-
hind we were anxious to avoid them but could not as the river
afforded us no hiding place they showed us that they meant us
to land very soon by stepping and swimming into the river seeing
this we chose to land without further trouble in this way we
were obliged to make the shore 6 times during the daj' we ar-
rived at the Yellow Stone which was of clear water and did not
mix with the waters of the Bij: Horn which was at this time dirty
for some miles about 3 miles (lelow the mouth of the Big Horn
we found Fort Cpss one of the Am. F. Co. at which post we trad-
ed about 10 packs of Beaver and 15c to 200 pack robes goods
are broug[t] up in boats of about 15 tons burthen 2 of which are
now laying here and one of them preparing to descend in two days

we were treated with little or no ceremony by Mr. TuUock.who
we found in charge which I attributed to sickness on his part well
knowing that a sick man is never disposed to be over civil to oth-
ers we therefore pushed on next morning. Just as we arrived
we saw 31 Indians with two American flags come to the other side
of the river they were Gros ventres du Baum the same we
fought with last summer at the Trois Tetons they came to make
peace with the Crows they were treated civily at the Fort and
before night followed the river up to the Crow village where I ex-
pect their scalps will be taken for the Crows informed us that not
long since a few Blkft. came and made peace with them shortly
after three Crows went to the Blackfeet two of which they killed
and they were determined to make no more peace with them.

268]

WYETH'S FIRST EXPEDITION.

911

1 8th. Started down the river made 3 hours with a hard wind
about 4 miles an hour \nd put up to noon seeing some elk which
we were in hopes to get to eat course about N. afternoon the
river tended more Eastwardly and at last came to E. N. E. We
made at the rate of 5 miles an hour for 3 ^ hours and camped to
fish and hunt having no meat on hand there is along this river
pretty bottoms and great quantities of sweet cotton wood which
would be fine for winter camps. We saw some large bands of elk
but our hunters were more conceited than good which I have gen-
erally found to be the case with the hunters in this country they
are not willing that a new hand should even try, and are far
from good shots themselves and commonly have miserable flint
guns which snap continually and afford an excuse for not killing.
The river sometimes cuts blufs which are mostly of sand stone
but the river brings down granite and porphry. Fort Cass is sci-
tuated on the E. bank of the Yellow stone river is about 1 30 feet
square made of sapling cotton wood pickets with two bastions at
the extreme corners and was erected in the fall of 1832. The
Yellow stone comes from the S. W. till it meets the Big Horn
then the two go about N. until they bend to the eastward.

1 9th. Made 5 Y^ hours in a calm fine day I should think about 6
miles the hour the river going E.N.E. stopped early to try a band of
BufFaloe that we see on the left of us, at first we were careful to
see if they were really Buffaloe for yesterday we were near ap-
proaching a band of Indians which I suppose were the residue of
the Blackfeet which I saw at the fort as they appeared coming
down from that way. Nooned in a fine cool place under the shade
of a large Cotton wood in a large green bottom the rausquitoes
take much from the pleasure of the trip which is otherwise fine
but I believe for a party like ours rather dangerous in afternoon
2 y^ hours about 6 per H. River E. stopped on hearing the
bellowing of Buffaloe on shore to get meat. Our hunters as usual
having failed went myself and killed a cow got a good ducking
from a shower and returned loaded with meat much fatigued.
About 4 miles before we stopped we passed the mouth of Rose
Bud a river coming from S. S. W.

20th. Started early and made this forenoon 6 hours at the rate
of about 5 Yt. miles. River about E. N. E. last night a smart
rain which wet our clothes much caught just at dusk last night
plenty of Blue Catfish and a small one which resembles an Ale
wife soon after starting this morning found an immense herd of
Buffaloe close to the river stopped and killed 2 fat cows and
could have killed any number more but this was enough they
keep up a continued grunting night and day now that we have
fairly got into them in the afternoon made 5 Y^ hours current
about 6 miles and E. N. E. at 5 hours found bad rapids but at
this low stage of the water it is said to be better passing on ac-
count of the chanell being more visible we had a good joke on

ai3

JOURNAL,

[266

much as usual during the afternoon we had a good joke on
the old hands as they call them selves in distinction to those who
have been a short time in the country two bald headed Eagles
being perched on a tree on a point and ranged to the other side
of the river our motion made them appear moving the old one
cried out Les Savvages others of them said on horseback with
white scarfs I looked long but not supposing that they meant the
eagles I said I saw nothing but the eagles they soon found out
their mistake and we bad a good laugh at them and a pleasant
one as all the Indians we meet here we expect to fight. This day
and yesterday whenever the river makes perpendicular
banks we saw veins of poor bituminous coal in 5 to 7 veins
horizontal from 3 it. to 6 inches thick and lo to 15 feet above
each other rock sandstone.

2 1 St. Made 5 hours river about E. N. E. passed the mouth
of Powder River at 4 hours and half an hour below a bad and
rocky rapid but without accident the coal still continues and
thousands of Buffaloe day fine stopped to noon a little l)elow
the rapids in the afternoon made 5 hours current about 5 miles
per hour in about E. N. E direction no rapids of consequence

the blufs have ceased these blufs are a part of the Black hills
as I am informed the Black Hills I am also informed make the
Falls of Missouri at the Three Forks just on leaving *e blufs
the coal veins appeared thicker day fine. Buftaloe p!

22nd. Made at 5 >^ per hour 6 hours in forenoc ...ing a
sail which we found of little advantage and but a little course of
the river N. N. E. and from the junction on the E. side of first
Rose Bud then Tongue and then Powder Rivers it is of about the
color of the Missouri altho the Yellow stone above is of clear
water quite so above the junction of the Big Horn. Our boat get-
ting quite rotten in afternoon made 5 hours same course 5 miles
per hour river better not so [many] bars and country not
mountainous the coal appears to have given out.

23rd. Made in fDrenoon 4 hours at the [rate] of 5 [miles] per
hour river about N. E. Day fine and hot plenty of Elks in
herds afternoon made 4 hours N. then 2 }4 hours E. N. E. cur-
rent about 4 miles per hour saw but little game only 2 Elk river
broad and shoal.

24th Made N. N. E. 2 hours with a heavy head wind about

4 miles per hour then the river turned Westwardly and when it
enters the Missouri is running W. by S. this made one hour
more when we found the Missouri which we assended N.W. about

5 miles to Fort Union where we arrived about noon and were met
with all possible hospitality and politeness by Mr. McKensie the
Am. F. Co. agent in this country.

27th. This day at % past 10 oclock we took leave our hospi-
table entertainers and on the experience of a few days with pre-
possessions highly in their favor we found Mr. McKensie a most

l»7"

WYnTII'vS riRST ICXPKDITION.

213

polite host I was particularly pleased witli a Mr. Hamilton and I am
perhaps presumptions in saying that I felt able to appreciate his
refined politeness he is a man of superior education and an Eng-
lishman. I was here supplied with a peroque traded from the
Blackfeet. A Mr. Patten shewed me a powder flask which he
traded from the Blkft. I immediately knew it to be one of mine
and on examination found N0.4 H.O.O.M. graven with a point on it.
It was Mores flask who was killed in lyittle Jacksoji Hole last year
on his return home after rendesvous. Fort Union is pleasantly
scituated on the N. bank of the Missouri 6 miles above the junc-
tion of Yellow stone there is no timber on a high bank above the fort
I am told that there is not enough moisture here to raise vegeta-
bles potatoes grass ect, Some corn is traded from the Inds. lower
down the fort is of usual construction about 220 feet square and
is better furnished inside than any British fort I have ever seen
at Table we have flour Bread Bacon Cheese Butter they live well

I here saw a small sturgeon but they are very rare Cat fish are
good and plenty they have cows and bulls milk etc. I saw
lime burning also coal here they are beginning to distil spirits
from corn traded from the Inds. below. This owing to some restric-
tions on the introduction of the article into the country. Above
this we have met plumbs, pfrapes, cherrys, Currants, ash, elm. The
river being already well laid down shall no longer give the course

we left the fort and went 2 hours and stopped for Mr. Sublette
who remained behind to finish some business he came accomp-
anied by the gentlemen of the fort after leaving us we made 4
hours then supped and made one hour more and found Mr. Wm.
L. Sublette at anchor with a large Bull boat this gentleman we
had expected to have found on our arrival at the Missouri he is
come to trade furs in opposition to the Am. F. Co. he treated its
with much politeness his brother preferred to remain and come
to the states with him we are therefore left without any one who
has decended the Missouri but I can go down stream.

28th. Pulled one hour put by from wind and to regulate then
pulled 6 hours and stopped to supper the banks continually fall-
ing in after supper we floated through the night 1 1 hours.
Calm

29 While breakfast was preparing went out to hunt killed
one deer and found a severe time in the thick swamp and mosqu-
toes pulled 8 ^ hours and drifted 1 1 hours through the night
which exposed me to much rain and wind from two thunder
showers. I had much difficulty to keep the boat from bars and
snaggs ran several times on to Bars all hands being asleep had to
jump over board to get [her] off In the night elk keep up a con-
tinual sque[a]ling it being now the commencement of their run-
ning season.

30th Day pulled 9 hours Saw three white Bears this day and
some Elk and a herd of Buffaloe night floated 8 ^ hours and

ai4

JOURNAI,

[271

were stopped by a gale from the S. E. not thinking it expedient
to pull with a head wind and in the dark.

31st Blowing a gale. Made about 4 hours about the rate of 2
mils per hour and finding it too bad laid by at a considerable river
coming from the S. entering by 2 mouths this I look to be the
little Missouri as laid down in the maps. In this vicinity we find
primitive peb[b]les and bo[u]lders much petryfied wood other
al[l]uvial productions stopped all night on ace. of wind and
rain v/hich made our scituation uncomfortable in the extreme
the weather had heretofore been ver}' warm average as much as
90° this day cold like an Eastwardly storm.

rst. At seven the weather having abated a little made a start.
At 3 o'clock found some of Sublettes men cutting timber for a
fort and learned from them that the upper Mandan was 9 miles
ahead we made it at 6 this day made only about 3 per hour
this village was about i ^ miles from the river taking my Indi-
an and a man with me I went to it and was well received by Mr.
Dorherty, Mr. Sublet [t]es clerk and the Inds. Stopped about
one hour with him and then pulled 3 hours more passing 3 vil-
lages of Mandans and not seeing the fort and being afraid of pass-
ing it stopped for the night.

2nd. Pulled Y^ hour arrived first on a high point at the village
then immediately round the point found the fort and was well re-
ceived by Mr Kipp. the Am. F. Co. agent for the Mandans
Stopped 2 hours took breakfast the[y] presented me some dry
corn and some roasting ears. All these villages cultivate corn
peas beans pumpkins ect. At Yz past 7 ock pulled a short distance
when we had a good breeze ar.d sailed until 5 ock then stopped to
supper then floated from 6 until 1 2 ock then stopped owing to
fog with head wind.

3rd. Floated 2 hours and stopped to Breakfast having found
no game have lived much upon the stores we have taken from the
forts above At the last place we were presented with some green
corn which we are now roasting Makes us think of Old Lang
Sine. We have had for tour days rainy cloudy & foggy weather

our bed clothes are wet and musty in consequence after Break-
fast pulled 6 hours when I thought best to go on shore to cook
I sent a man out to hunt in the meantime as soon as he assended
the high bank he perceived horses on the other side we after[-
wards] counted 21 lodges and from the number of horses I have
no doubt there might have been from 75 to 100. I immediately
had the boat put into a little thicket and fortifj^ed as well as I
could then went to fishing and spent the afternoon caught but
two large catfish as soon as it was dark we proceeded forward
with a high wind and a cloudy sky and no Moon all went well
until we were just opposite the village when we perceived lodges
and fires on our side also On seeing this I ste[e]red the boat to the
middle of the river but unluckly took groxmd on a sand bar

£72]

WYETH'S FIRST EXPEDITION.

215

here we worked hard for some time to get off and had the Indi-
ans seen or heard us herCe] we were in distance for shot from
both sides and could have made little resistance but they did not
and after some time we got off and glad we were. We proceed [ed]
in all 4 hours pnlled, then stopped for the night these were prob-
ably the Aricarey and would have scalped us. I feared much for
my Nez Perce for we could not speak to any Indian on the river
and all would without explanation have made some fuss and per-
haps have killed him.

4th. With almost a gale of wind from the W. pulled 6 hours
and then stopped to eat having twice nearly upset in carrjnng sail
and wet all our things after drying and eating started on still
blowing fresh and pulled 3 hours then floated through the night
1 1 hours It was a beautiful still night the stillness interrupted
only by the neighing of the Elk the continual low of the Buffa-
loe which we came to soon after starting the hooting of large
owls and the screeching of small ones and occasionally the near-
er noise of a beaver gnawing a tree or splashing into the water
and even the gong like sound of the swan it was really poetical
but sleep at last laid in his claim and I gave the helm to a man.
Oak is now plenty in the Bottoms and for a few days past has
been seen The uplanu along the river is here pretty good plumbs
we occasionally see and have since we first took water on the Big
Horn frequent squalls of rain yesterday.

5th. Pulled 7 hours stopped to eat pulled one more came
to a deserted village on the S. bank fired two guns to see if there
was any one in it but had no answer pulled one hour more then
floated 7 hours more then pulled 3 to Breakfast saw in morn-
ing a band of Elk playing like children in the water failed of
killing any of them owing to the impatience of one of the men
who fired too soon pulled through a dreadful rain 7 hours and
camped wet and cold rained all night strong east wind.

6. In the morning made 8 hours pulling seeing an Elk on
the sand Bar stopped and killed him very aceptable as we have
had nothing to eat since yesterday noon and saved his horns for
my best of friends Mr. F. Tudor of Boston pulled 2 hours more
and the night being dark and appearance of a storm did not run.

7th. Last night about 11 ock was awakened by the water mak-
ing a breach over the boat got her off the shore but was obliged
to make the shore again on account of some of the men who were
so frightened that if I had not they would have jumped overboard

laid the rest of the night on a lee shore thundering in a loud
strain and raining at no allowance spent a most uncomfortable
night an[d] rose iti the morning benumbed with cold and all
hands as dead as loggs started after eating at 8 ock and pulled
until 2 ock when we had a fine breeze which gradual[l]y increased
to a gale before which we scudded at a good rate almost despair-
ing of seeing Fort Pier[r]e which we began to think we had pass-

ai6

JOURNAL

[273

ed at about sundown we saw people on the hills which we sup-
posed to be Inds. therefore kept on they fired but we did not
choose to hear about an hour after sundown we smelt the flavor
of coal and landed and found people who had just burned a kiln
who informed us that the fort was 3 mils ahead we though [t] to
go to sleep at the fort but soon found that night and a gale of
wind was a poor time for travelling and also that 3 miles was in
fact 3 leagues after being near filled by the surf and running
afoul of several sand bars and getting overboard to push off we
concluded to stop for the night which we did cold and tired and
wet we spent the night as we best could one comfort plenty of
elk meat stopped at 10 ock.

8. Made by sailing 3 miles and found Fori Pier[r]e pleasantly
scituated on the right bank rather low but withall romantic
were received with all hospitality imaginable by Mr. lyaidlow who
is in charge of the Am. F. Co. post here was much pleased b /
the order and regularity apparent about the place we stopped
here for the day and visited Mr. and Mrs. Sublette who is scitua-
ted about one mile below we here ?aw melons of two kinds corn

pork cows horses and stacks of hay.

9th. Remained at the fort until about i ock. when we made
by pulling 2 hcurs an Island 9 miles below the fort on which the
Co. have about 1 5 acres of ground under cultivation here I re-
mained all this day eating and drinking of the good things afford-
ed by the earth and the cellars of the Co. Found cucumbers
water dr musk mellons beets carrots potat'^es onions corn
and a good cabin and the Company of Mr. Laraiow and Doct.

loth. At 8 ock. began pulling the water has v;*'^un two days
risen about 2 feet in consequence of the rains wbicb .0 an[n]oyed
me above and the surface of the water is covered w.th all manner
of drift rubbish and the water as muddy as possible. Wind ahead
all day but current much improved stopped at 6 ock at the com-
mencement of the great Bend and remained all night.

nth. Commenced pulling at *^ past 6 after having sent a
hunter across the foot of the Bend and after 6 hours got past the
Bend and found our hunters who had hid themselves in the brush
being alarmed by seeing Inds. whom we also saw and gave some
amunition to took them in and in two hours more came to the
agency for the Sioux & Poncas Mr. Bean agent but not at the
post we found it a miserable concern only three or four men but
poorly fed and buildings out of order though new and shabbily
built at best we were hospitably received by the young man in
charge.

12. Pulled against a severe head wind 9 hours in hopes of
finding White River but camped without seeing it got plenty of
good plumbs which were an object to stop for as we are about out
of food and the vicinity almost destitute of game.

[274

WYETH'S FIRST EXPEDITION.

217

13th Pulled against a severe wind 3 y^ hours finding we did
not make much headway laid by for the day.

14th. Blowing still fresh ahead we started and made 15 hours
night and day continuing until 12 ock at night it was dark and
we were nearly upset by a snag but our fears of starvation impel-
led us to haste did not see an animal all day during the latter
part of the night it rained in torrents and wet all our things and
persons.

15th. Commenced pulling at 7 ock. Still blowing fresh ahead
and raining a little about 3 ock cleared off and stopped to cook

during meal time killed a fawn which was very good luck aft-
er supper pulled 5 hours more and found a keel boat of the Am.
F. Co. alongside of which we stopped for the night in the morn-
ing of

i6th. Put ahead with a fine wind not having been asked on
board of her and immediately passed the Ponca village but I be-
lieve not in its usual place saw and delivered a message to Mr.
Sublettes agt. here and gave the Chief some tobacco. Made with
a wind which as usual soon died away and pulling 13 hours when
we ran on a sand bar and was unable in the dark to extricate her
and slept all night on it the musquitoes almost murder us rain-
ed most of the night.

17. Started at 5 ock. Pulled this day to hours rained some
in the course of the day saw Povvquet the first since leaving the
states also mulberry trees Bass wood.

1 8th. vStarted early after a rainy night and pulled 10 hours
saw wild Turkeys this evening but killed none nearlv out of all
kinds of provisions saw this day a herd of Elk tryed hard to
get some but failed

19th. Made with a strong and fine w'ind 12 hours and camped
without meat supped on a little flour boiled in water Saw dur-
ing the da}' 3 deer looked with folly at them and fired two shots
and they ran off.

20th. Stopped until % past 6 to hunt caught one goose which
we eat for breakfast afterward put ashore the hunters for game

thej' were fortunate enough to kill a fat doe on which we feast-
ed right merr^'h' and having lost so much time we concluded to
run until the moon went down altho we were before informed
that it was not safe a few hours we got along well enough but
at last went over a snagg with limbs above which taking our
mast and the boat swinging broadside she was taking in water at
a jolly rate and in a little she would have gone with the suck un-
der the rock I immediately had the mast cut avvaj' just in time
to save her escaped from this T determined to try more we ran
a little and were driven head foremost on a large tree lying across
the river We stopped about midway and lay swinging like a
pendulum with much danger and difficulty we extricated her
not being yet discouraged we ran on but soon were driven into a

2lS

JOUKNAI.

I>7^

large dritt we narrowly escaped being carried under and half full
of water and our oar broke we made the shore as soon as possible

resolved to run no more nights, after making lo y^ hours.

2ist. Made 9 hours with a head wind and camped at the old
post of Council Bluffs it is now grown up with high weeds a
memento of much money spent to little purpose it is a beautiful
scituatioTi the magazine and three or four chimneys only remain .

22nd. After 5 hours in a dead current we arrived at a trading
post of the Am. F. Co. Mr. Josh. Pilcher agent by whom we were
entertained with the utmost hospitality I had met Mr. P. at St.
Louis on ray way out on this account I had much pleasure in
stopping we found a good assortment of vegetables and a sup-
ply of such things as we wanted. Dined with him and made
three hours more and stopped to hunt Killed a fat deei ai'.d
camped for the night.

23rd. Made 2 hours pulling and pas.sed an agency y^ mile
farther a trading post of Mess. Dripps & Fonter.ellc. Made in all
13 hours and camped during the dav killed one deer from the
Boat from Council Bluffs to this have found the Hic[k]or5'
Shagbark Sicamore and Coffee Bean trees not seen above also
Night Shade Brier. Ducks Qe[ejse and Pelicans have been very
numerous bu shy for about 8 days stopped at the above trading
post found only an old negro at home the rest out cutting wood.

24th. Made this day 10 }4 hours Killed one goose saw
plenty of deer

25th. Made 11 hours Killed one Turkey from the boat saw
this day the first Pawpau fruit and trees wounded one deer from
boat and stopped to search for him but without success

26th. Made 1 1 hours at 8 hours came to a trading house of
the Am. F. Co. called Rubideau Fort at the Black Snake hills
and on the N. bank of the river on a little rise of ground in the
rear of a beautiful bottom. Today saw the Black Locust for the
first time the lands are here quite fine and the hills as far back
as we can see clotlied with timber and verdure of the most luxuri-
ant appearance the country is one of the most pleasant I have
ever seen

27th. After 7 hours pulling arrived at the Cantonment Leaveii-
worth on the route we saw several Indian janoes with Souaws
children ect. I had no letters 01" introduction at the fort and
therefore could not expect any great extension of tlic laws of
hospitality but was received with all the politeness that [could be]
expected was offered all the stores which I might require by
Leiut. Richardson the officer of the day. My boy Baptiste and
the Indian wer[e] vacinated by Doct, Fellows. It was amusing
to observe the actions of Baptiste and the Indian when I went
from the boat towards the Barracks the Boy followed me until I
was hailed by the sentry at view of one so strangely attired and
with a knife on the end of his gun he broke like a quarter Nag[?]

:76]

WYKTII'vS FlRvST KXPKDITIOX.

^19

crying Pegoni and the Indian was only prevented from taking
the run also by being assured that he would not be harmed. I
took the two to Doct Fellows quarters to be vaccinated the Docts
\vife and another lady happened to be present they were really
beautiful women but the eyes of the two were riveted on the
White Squaws Baptiste who speaks a little English told the oth-
er Boys when he returned to the boat that he had seen a white
squaw white as snow and so pretty.

28th. Made about 45 miles to Liberty where I found Mr. E.
M. Samuel an old acquaintance who received me with all hospitali-
ty supplyed me w[it]h money and all that I wanted.

29th. Raitied all day did not start

30. Went to the landing after breakfast a boat arrived going
to the Garrison and joined her as I shall arrive at St I,ouisas soon
by this means as any other and more comfortably

Shall close memorandum here with Boat I after[ward] return-
ed to Leavenworth and was treated with great politeness by the
officers of the garrison especially a Capt. Nichols who invited
me to dinner.

Memo of distances on the Columbia according to the estimates of

the English Traders.

From Boat encampment to Colville 309 miles

" Colville to Oakenagen 150 "

" Oakenagen to W^alla Walla 207

*' Walla Walla to Vancouver 203 "

" Vancouver to Cape Disappointment 80 "

949 [with
pencil]

From Ermatinger.

2nd JOURNAL. [With pencil.]

On the 5th of May having crossed the Kanzas at the agency
without accident and in one Half of a day and traded as manv
cuds and apishemas[?] as I wanted and some deerskins for which I
paid Bacon. We started with 3 less men 4 having deserted and
one new one engaged. Made this day along the Kanzas about 16
miles on a small stream having crossed one called the lyautrelle

6th. Moved along the Kanzas and made about 12 miles to
noon and took an observation
made this day about 18 miles

found the Latt to be -10°

39° 38'

7th Made about 15 miles and camped on Uttle "^^ermillion
8th. In the morning Mr Sublette finding that is leg would

not bear travelling turned back made this dCa"" • about is miles

This day left Kanzas River

9th. Made about 20 miles and camped on a small river this
<lay our hunter killed our first deer

loth. Made 15 miles to Big Vermillion and then 5 miles more
and camped in the praire with but little wood and a little stagnant
water

II. Made 9 miles to a small run then lost the trail and crossed
a sluggish muddy stream running N[?] and recrossed the same it
rounding and heading North and camped, at noon this dav Latt
40" 18'. Sent a man to hunt the trail.

1 2th. Spent the morning mending hobbles and endeavored to
get an observation for Long, but it was too cloudy in afternoon
started and in about 8 mils found a camp of Sublettes for nooning
and marched until dark aiid camped the horses having had noth-
ing to eat all day did not tie them up at i. ock at night was
awakened by a furious running & snorting of the animals who all
broke from their hobbles and left camp running in their course
over any thing opposed to them spent the night in looking
them up and found all but two about sun one hour high three
Otoes came to us who I suppose occasioned the fright and got the
two horses.

13. Started and travelled 7 hours and camped on a fork of the
Blue and found the lyong. to be 96"^ 7'.

i4tli. Made W. S. W. 21 miles and .struck the main Blue

333

JOURNAL

[279

15th. Made about W. 9 miles and found our Lat. to be 40°
17' then made 12 mils W. by N. over a very level prairie and
again struck the main Blue and camped

1 6th. Made 10 miles about \V. by N. to Dinner Latt. 40"
23' and 1 2 more to the Pawnee trail to the head of the Ar-
kanzas and found that a very large party hid .passed it about 10
days before and a smaller one this morning.

17th. Made 3 miles up the stream crossing a very small run
course W. by N, then struck out N. W. 3 miles and crossed a
little run the same as passed in the morning then same course 6
mils and took an observation for Latt and found it to be 40^ 22'
then 5 mils more same course and got sight of the Platte then
W. N. W. 5 mils to the river and camped

i8th. Raining in morning caught some Catfish found fresh
track of Indians a small party

19th. Rained hard all day moved camp 15 miles to a small
grove of timber on the main land foutid our horses very skittish
during- the night.

20th. In the morning had just raised camp when we discover-
ed two Indians who were shy of coming to us but after a while
suffered us to approach them they said they were Pawnees hut as
we did not not know the Pawnees this might be so or not per-
haps Ricarees afterward saw several more on the blufs who did
not come to us at noon found our I^at. 43^^ i' after traveling 13
miles W. N. [?] in the afternoon traveled 13 miles W. and found
our Long, to be 98° 30' this night doubled guard.

2ist. Moved camp from the pickett and 12 miles W. to break-
fast fine clear weather old BufFaloe sign and antelope after
dinner started and soon saw a band of elk one loose horse took
fright at them and ran back on our trail there being no person
mounted on a swift horse in camp I followed myself after going
to a little creek where we nooned ihey struck out S. 15 miles to the
heads of some little streams with timber probably the Blue
where I overtook three of them my horse having failed I lost 2
fine horses. After riding about 12 miles found the Platte at our
nights camp and followed it to the camp making in all a ride of
about 50 miles arrived about midnight camp moved on 11
miles.

22nd. Moved about N. 10 miles Lat. 40" 33' afternoon 10
miles W. and camped after a little 3 Pawnee Scouts came to us
and slept with us in the morning 12 more came and wished to
persuade me to go to their camp i •{> days travel N. over the riv-
er which they forded here they stole some small things from us

23rd. Moved from the pickett and 15 miles W. about to Latt.

just before nooning passed a little creek then West 11

miles and camped.

iSl

:So]

WYETH'S vSRCONI) KXPRDITIOX.

213

24th. 20 miles W. to the crossing of the South fork of the Platte
about 8 miles above the forks found Latt. to be 40'' 41'

25th. Crossed without difficulty and made up the N. side of
the South Fork about 4 miles W. then struck N. W. about i
mile to the North fork which is here the largest then made about
VV. by N. about 15 miles and near to some cut blufs which come
close to the river

26th. \V. by N. 12 mils passing another place where the blufs
cut the river and here found much cedar on them and camped on
the river in a wide bottom found no Buffaloe today killed one ante-
lope. Afternoon 10 miles W. N. \V. at nighi found the variation of
the compass i" 30' west at midnight our horses took fright but
being strongly picketed and hobbled but few got out of camp.

26th. I date this the 26th having over noted one dav hereto-
fore in afternoon 12 miles W. N. W. passing some steep cut
blufs which cut the river afternoon made 12 mils and camped
still no buffaloe Latt. 40" 22' at night.

27th. Made this day 20 mils during a severe gale from the N.
N. W. the sand cut like a knife and it was altogether a most
disagreeable daj^ this day saw a little timber on some hills to the
south of the river about 5 miles distant also 2 bands of wild
horses killed one Bull so poor as to [be] uneatable.

28ih. Killed Buffaloe plenty today Came in sight of the
chimney about noon made 22 mils wind still high N. N. W.
Qne of our outriders saw six Indians mounted today.

29th. No[o]ned at the Chimney Lat. 41^ 51' After travel-
ling this forenoon 1 1 miles afternoon 10 mils

30th. Passed through between two high blufs through a pret-
ty good pass and avoided going between one of them and the river
where there are bad ravines. Made this day 22 miles to Horse
creek.

31st Made after crossing Horse creek at starling about 20
miles.

June ist. Made 15 miles to Laramies fork just before coming
to which we made a cut off of about 3 miles over and about 5
miles b)' the river forded this fork with ease and made 8 miles
up the Platte in afternoon. At the crossing we found 13 of Sub-
lettes men camped for the purpose of building a fort he having
gone ahead with his ?"»st animals and the residue of his goods
lie left about 14 loads

2nd. Made along the river 5 miles then struck out into the
hills about W. N. W. and made 12 miles to a little creek in the
afternoon made 13 miles to pretty large creek and cauiped tor
the night the whole course this day about W. N. W. Left at
Noon camp a bull and cow whose feet had worn out.

3rd. Made 15 miles and nooned on the river this course N.
W. bv N- and out over the hills about \4 the way the river tak-

'1:1

ii4

JOIRNAL

[281

aloti^

ing a bend quite to the N. and passing through had rocks. After-
noon made 6 miles cutting two very had hlufs hut still following
the river and camped on it

4th. P'orded the river and made W. N. \V. 17 miles
the river and camped on it vSuhlette one day ahead.

5th. Made along the river 24 miles along the River

6th. Made along the river 24 miles W by N.

7th. Made 1 2 miles along the river to the red Butes so called
and is the place at which the river turns S. W. and we leave tf)
strike for Sweet Water Sublette 2 days ahead weather chilly
and windy. Poor grass for several days.

8th. This morning I had intended to have turned out the
horses at 2 ock. and guarded them but during the night the
horses appeared uneasy and appeared to think there were Indians
about which induced me to keep them up until sunrise when we
started W. S. W. from the Red Butes and made 18 miles to the
high ridge of land and then one point more to the South and 12
miles more to a small creek with poor grass Several of tlie horses
nearl)' done up for want of grass and from fatigue this day kill-
ed two grisly bears and many Buffaloe a little shower toward
night

9th. Made S. W. 10 miles and made Rock Independence on
which W. Iv. Sublette had noted that he had arrived on the 6lh
but I think he could not have done so before the 7lh. I noted
ray name then made S. W. along the creek 4 y2 miles to a pface
where the creek puts through cut rocks each side perpendicular
and about 60 feet high the trail goes through another place on
a level atid about 100 feet South of the river the rock
ing then made 6 miles W. S. W. between mountains
level and along the creek.

loth. General courses W. vS. W. and along vSweet Water
high granite hills on each side made 25 miles

nth. W. 10 rails then N. W. q mils to camp on ySweet
Water

1 2th. S. W. forenoon a cut off of 10 miles to Sweet Water
afternoon S. W. 9 miles along Sweet Water. Long, i ro-^" 30..

13th 3 miles along Sweetwater S. W. then took up a ravine to
the W. X. W. about i mile then W. by S. 9 miles to a creek of
Sweet Water run[n]ing into it about 8 milei oflfand vS. H. then
W. by S. 7 miles to another creek of Sweet Water running about
S. E. and eratying into it at about 10 railes vSweet Water ippears
to run in cut rocks

15th. Made due West 5 rails and crossed a small creek of
Sweet Water which comes from a point of granite rocks about 2
miles from which we passed then W. 7 mils to a spring of good
cold water and good grass. Wind river mountains now bear X.

interven-
bul on a

2H2]

wYirnrs skcono kxprdition.

the
the

N. W. and aCreJ covered with snow alx)ut 20 mils distant, Latt.
42*^ 44' Afternoon made W. 6 miles to Sweet Water creek
main ix)dy going about S. K. and coming out of cut rocks then
VV. by S. 16 miles over broken ground to one fork of »Sandy run-
ning S. by E. here horses wer[e] tired Kuifaloe plenty.

15th. W. N. W. 9 miles to Big Sandy where we found Buf-
faloe plenty My hunters not yet come in been out 4 days fear-
ful they have been scalped.

1 6th. Made down the Sandy S. W. by W. 15 miles then 4 S.
K. by K and camped on this stream so far the gr?ss is miserable
and the horses are starving and also at last nights camp they eat
something that has made many of f hem sick, the same thing
happeneti two year since on the next creek west.

17th. S. S. W. 10 miles down Sandy which makes here a
bend to the right afternoon S. 9 miles passing at three miles the
mouth of little Sandy and camped without any grass

i8th. 12 miles in the forenoon S. S. W. making small cut off
afternoon W. S. W. 7 miles camped in good grass.
19th. About S. by W. 8 miles and camped i mile auove the
mouth of Sandy on Green river or Seckkedee on the night of the
17th I left camp to hunt Fitzpatric and slept on the prn.:«if; in
morning struck Green river and went down to the forks and find-
ing nothing went up again and found rendesvous about 12 miles
up and much to my astonishment the goods which I had contract-
ed to bring up to the Rocky Mountain fur Co. were refused by
those honorable gentlemen. Latt. 41'' 30'.

20th. Made W. S. W. 8 miles then S. by E. 15 miles to Hams
Fork running liere vS. I*, and a small stream.
2 1 . Same camp.
2 2d. Same camp

27th. Moved up the river N. W. 10 miles grass lure pretty
good but little timber and none but willows for the last 6 miles.
To 3rd. July. Same camp then up Hams Fork ro miles N. W.
moved up the fork about W. bj' S. 12 miles too many Indians
with us for comfort or safety they let their horses among ours so
that it is impossible to guard any of them.

4th. Moved up the creek about i mile then leaving it made
\V. by N. over a 'livide and by a pass which occurs in the lowest
part of a high range of hills 7 miles then W. 13 miles down a
ravine which had a little water in it to its junction with another
small run and the two are called Muddy here we celebrated the
4th I gave the men too much alcohol for peace took a pretty
hearty spree my. self. At the camp we found Mr. Cerry and Mr.
Walker who were returning to St. Louis with the furs collected
by Mr. Bonnevilles company about 10 pack and mengoingdown
to whom there is due io,ooo$

5th. Made down Muddy 5 miles W. then N. W. cutting a
divide into a small ravine which has a little water in it 8 miles

336

JOURNAL

|J83

'•V

then leaving the ravine cutting moderately high land to Bear riv-
er 4 miles. Then down Bear river N. by W. 4 miles to camp

6th. Made down the river N. N. W. 5 miles to Smiths Fork
which is a short stream from the N. E. by N. and nearly as large
as Bear river then same course 3 miles more then N. W. 5
miles here comes in Kamas creek from the N. then W. N. W. 3
and crossed Bear river three more and recrossed then cut over
some high hills same course 8 miles more and struck the river
again then down the river same course i mile to camp nothing
to eat due south of this camp about 5 miles is the little lake so
called which is about 20 miles long.

yth. Made 3 miles N. N. W. and passed a little creek the
same course 6 miles along the river, then 3 miles N. VV. to camp
all day fine grass. During this day a multitude of fine springs
coming into the river, today killed one bull.

8th. Made N. W. lo miles then 10 miles W. N. W.toa place
where there is soda spring or I may say 50 of them. These springs
'hrow out lime which deposits and forms little hillocks of a yel
lowish colored stone there is also hero a warm spring which
throws water with a jet which is like Bilge water in taste there
is also here peet beds which sometimes take fire and leave behind
a deep light ashes in which animals mire Killed one Bull today
but so poor as to be liardly eatable having in the course of the
day lost a horse will remain here to hunt him up

9th. Same camp asstuded a mouf.ain and from it could see
that Bear river took a short tu' 11 round sheep rock about 2 miles
below the spouting steam and goes south as for as I :onld see
there are in this pi:iCe many hu^'ir^ds of mounds of yellowish
stone vit'i a crater on lop f •; me<i by the deposits of the impreg-
nated wateis of this place. Killed one Biiffaloe.

loth. Moved N. by W 3 -.iris cuttii,^- a range of hills then
N. N. W. 17 miles to Blackfoot oa which I found Bon[n]evill?
again and plenty of Buffaloe and killed 3 Grisly Bears during
the day passed many small funnel shaped holes in the lava hav-
ing the appearance of small craters.

nth. Made W. 6 miles cutting a range of hills then following
in a valley formed by these hills and another range Made W.
X. W. 10 miles to a little brook running N. by W. to camp Buf-
faloe today saw one Blackfoot on foot in the hills who ran like a
good fellow.

12th. Made W. 3 miles and caine upon r small creek \vh!di
was said to be Portneuf it may possibly bt the sarae wuter as
that we camped on last night but running S. by E crossed this
and a high range of hills and struck a stream which is said to be
Ross creek this runs al out \V. after 9 miles more camped saw
but few Buffaloe today.

13th. No Buffaloe saw f Ik on Snake River which we struck

2H4]

WYKTH'.S vSKCONI) HXPriDITION.

after 6 miles W. by N. in some small slew saw a great quanti-
ty of fine trout about 2 lbs. weight

14th. Went down the river about 3 miles and found a location
for a fort and succeeded and killed a Buffaloe near the spot

15. Commenced building the fort and sent oui 12 men to hunt
to be gone 12 days and continued at work on the fort a few days
and fell short of provisions and was obliged to knock off in order
to obtain food sent out some men tor Buftaloe they returned
in two days with plenty. The 12 returned the 28th day at night.
On the 26th a Frenchman named Kanseau was killed horse racing
and the 27th was buried near the fort he belonged to Mr. Mc-
Kays camp and his comrades erected a decent tomb for him service
for him was performed by the Canadians in the Catholic form by
Mr. Lee in the Protestant form and by the Indians in their form
as he had Indian family, he at least was well buried.

30 Mr. McKay left us and Mr Lee and Capt. Stewirt with
him

6th. Having done as much as was requisite for safety to the
Fort and drank a bale of liquor and named it Fort Hall in honor
of the oldest partner of our concern we left it and with it Mr.
Evans in charge of 1 1 men and 14 horses and mules and three
cows we went down the river S.W. 4 miles and found a ford crossed
and made N. VV. 7 miles to the head of a spring and camped in
all 29 strong. Fort Hall is in Latt. 43" 14' Long. 113*^ 35'

7th. Started at day light and traveled 10 hours as fast as pos-
sible N. \\\ by W. 30 miles to the Bute, being the most south-
wardly one and from it the other two Butes bear N. N. E. the
farther al>out 20 miles off the other midway the Three Tetons
about 100 miles off and bearing N. E. the day was hot and we
suffered some for water and found but a small supply on the N.
side of the Bute a miserable chance for our horses and not a good
one for ourselves

8th. Started it sunrise and made N. W. 10 miles to Godins
river then crossed it and made in the same direction 12 up the riv-
er and camped in fine grass where we struck the river there is
no grass nor until we camped above I am told it is fine found
no appearance of buffaloe

9th. Made due W. 16 miles striking for the N. side of it a
pretty high hill and struck up the mountains close on the X.sideofit
then wound into the mountains in a S. W. course finding water
several times and cutting a divide struck a small thread of water
at 5 mils this we followed 3 miles N. W. and struck a pretty
large creek which we followed N. N, E. i mile and camped just
at starting killed a Bull and separated from Abbot and a small
party of trappers accompanied by Antoine Godin whom I sent
out for Beaver.

loth. Made 7 mils down the creek N. X. E. to Godins river
the same we left day before yesterday then N. \V. 3 miles then

22S

JOl'RNAL

['^H5

West 14 miles today saw a large fire in the mountains on our
left suppose them to be Diggers keeping for safety in the hills

the B* ckfeet trouble them even here saw one band of BufFoice
cows touay killed one calf the party I parted from viz Antoine
anu Abbot are before us on this river.

nth. Made W. 9 miles then 18 S W the angle of the ':wo
courses occurs at what is called the Spring prairie which is about
ID miles over in the center of which there are three tolerable
Butes these Butes when you approach from the East look like
three but when from the West show but as two this day killed
an old Bull very strong

12th Moved 3 miles up the creek S. W. at which place the
creek divides into about equal parts the one going south I took
by the advice of one who said he had passed before followed
this up one mile and a branch going E 3 farther another E.
4 miles farther looked so bad camped took a horsa to explore
the route ^2 tnile above camp the stream branches the right at
small distance heads in an amphitheater of inaccessible mountains
followed the left 4 miles S. by E. and this also heads in an amphi-
theater. We drove 2 Bulls before us which we killed they being
unable to pass. I climbed up the clefts an[d] in passing over the
snow had liked to have been killed in the foUowl'.ig manner pas-
sing over some snow and on which the water was running and be-
ing afraid of caving in I missed my foothold in a slipper^' place
and went gradually sliding down to a precipice but succeeded at
last in averting m)' progress to destruction by catching the only
stone which projected above the icy snow I however reached the
summit and looked into another defile running E. like the one
I came up. Got to the bottom again and found one of our two
mules gone and being in want of meat packed the other with part
of one of the Bulls r.nd walked barefoot to camp during L'le night
through an infernal rough rocky prickly Bruisy swampy
woody hole.

13th. Moved down creek back to the commence Ucnt of the
vSouth Fork then took the other about S. W. by W. at two miles
up a creek from the N. forming about half of the stream then
three miles farther \\ here the rest divides into two parts very small

passed the mountain in a south course between these last forks
up a gentle fine trail and not more than i mile to the top then
down by a very steep bad trail. South still along a branch of
Malad 5 miles to tolerable grass and camped this last part of the
route about the worst road that I ever passed.

i4.th. After shoeing some horses that were lamed yesterday
started and made 9 miles S. S. W. at 2 of which got a small
creek from the N. E. at the end of the 9 miles got a fork of
about equal size to the one 1 came down from the S. W. then
made S. I^. by S. 10 miles and camped got a creek from the N.

\i J

286]

WYKTH'vS vSKCOND EXPEDITION.

229

E. at 2 miles of it ai.d at 7 one from the S. W. Saw no game
today the dusky grouse plenty for three days past Horses
much knocked up with sore feet.

15th. After crossing the stream passed up a ravine S. W. to
its head then crossed some low grassy hills and at 12 miles cross-
ed a small creek going S. E. this creek forks at this place then at
two miles in all 14 miles S. W. crossed another which we follow-
ed two miles S. S. E. then left it on our left and cut a pretty
high hill 4 miles S. S. W. and came dov> .1 to the plain of Snake
\^iver then 3 miles W. to a creek with a fine bottom but no water
except what remains in little pools, but excellent grass here found
two lodges of Snake Indians.

1 6th. Made 28 miles W. following the main trail which is
good perfectly level and distinct except in one place where it
crosses several small branches which in the spring I presume are
miry which occasions the traveller to go in no particular place
during this days march I observed some low hills on the South
side of us which gradually approach and at this camp are about 8
miles distant bet ween us and them a little river appears to ru!i to the
W. which I am in hopes is Reeds oiher wise called Big Woody.
Toda}"^ the travelling was fine and many little streams of water
croL".s the trail at this camp which is on a very small thread there
commence small irregularities just enough to note the place.

17th. Made 20 miles due West over a country with easy Hills
gcod and distinct trail and often water in very little streams.
Country mostly burnt out by the Indians who have passed here
lately going up to Buffaloe. Killed some dusky grouse and dug
some karaas which assisted our living a little also found some
choke cherries and saw one Indian at a distance on Horse back
who fled.

1 8th. Made over a liilly country 12 miles W. until we passed
a high stony hill then bending N. W. made 10 miles more over
a stony Hilly but distinct trail with not much water saw a track
of a Bull made this morning altho there is very little old signs in
this section. Campe<l on a iiearly dry creek rutniing W. today
lost 2 Horses.

19th. Left the little run on which we camped last night going
here X. X. W. on our right and put out as near as I could judge
W , ID miles the first three over a divide of high steep hills
then taking a little run followed it out of the worst hills along
this run were many little Indian camps we then left it and went
W. X. W. 15 miles and struck Woody River in cut rocks at about
7 miles of this last course struck the run on which we camped
last night at Woody we saw plenty of vSalmon but had no means
of catching any of them this day found a colt in the Rush
probably left by the Indians on which I mean to Breakfast tomor-
row morning being short of provant.

230

JOURNAL

[287

20th. Followed the river down W. by N. 22 miles in the
course of the day traded of some Inds. enough salmon for a lyunch
and consumed the remaining provisions.

2ist. No Breakfast. Feel very much purified [?] in the flesh.
12 miles down the creek W. at noon found Indians of whom we
traded enough Salmon with a dead one we picked up in the brook
and a few birds for a dinner afterwards traded 2 Bal[e]s Salmon
of the Inds.

22nd. Made 5 miles W. then the trail cut a point of higher
ground of about 2 miles and again struck the river and crossed it

made on the other side 7 miles W. in all this day 15 miles W.

23rd. Made West 9 miles and found a small village of Snakes
of whom we could only trade a very few salmon then 5 more
in all 14 miles along the Big Wood W. and arrived at Snake Riv-
er which we forded by wetting our packs a little here we found
a few lodges of very impudent Pawnacks of whom we traded a
half Bale of Salmon afterward 4 miles N. along the W. side of
Snake River and camped near a few lodges of Inds.

24th. 6 miles N. then made a cut off N. N. W. 4 miles to R.
Malheur where we found but three or four Indians and consequ-
ently got but little Salmon and consequently may starve a little
between this and Walla Walla afternoon 7 miles N. passing not
far from ihe River. I had forgot to note that on Big Wood Riv-
er the Indians attempted to steal some of our horses but the horse
guards discovered them and they failed. Scorpions are here quite
common two nights since I was just about laying down when on
my Blkt I saw something move I folded it in the Blkt. and on
carrying it to the fire found it to be a very good sized scorpion.
This day at noon parted from Richardson and S men to go up
Malheur and other creeks to trap there is something melancholy
in parting with men with whom one has travelled so far in this
uncertain country. Our party is now 17 boys Indians literati
and all.

25th. This days march was in many different courses but I
average them at 22 miles N. W. and camped just before where
the trail finally leaves the vSnake river and at the same camp where
I overtook two years since my men who without orders were leav-
ing I he country while I was up Malheur trapping. Traded this
day about 70 salmon which makes a tolerable supply of provisions
for the cut to Walla Walla.

26th. Made about 20 miles in about a N. W. direction up
Brule lAst night lost two Horses which I think were stolen and
today two more gave out. I now think of leaving two men be-
hind to bring up some of the worst animals otherwise I fear I
shall loose many of them.

27th. After leaving Sunsburj' and Briggs to bring up the worn
out horses I left and making a cut ofl" to the right going up a
ravine across another and down a third came again upon Brule,

388]

WYETH'vS vSKCOND KXPRDITION.

331

at the open Prairie and camped for noon at the upper e id of it on
a little run and cashed 24 bars lead and 18 Traps ger *ral course
N. W. 14 miles afternoon 9 miles N. W. W. foUowit g the little
creek up and camped on a little prairie near the h id of it of about
20 acres here there is two trails one N. \\\ the other N.
the N. W. one I shall try.

28th. Here taking the left hand trail we followed it 12 miles
N. W. when it disappeared I then took a N. course and at
8 miics came on Powder River which we followe<l down about 5
miles and camped this afternoon I shall go out to see where the
trail crosses the river. This day killed an antelope and a Fawn
and saw fresh Elk Track.

29th. Turned up the creek again and after arriving at where
we first struck the river made 6 miles \V. by N. then into cut
rocks then W. N. W. 4 miles more and Nooned on a little water
ill a ravine during the forenoon two men whom I had left behind
with the ]X)or animals brough[t] up all but two also during the
forenoon two men got lost and our hunter got lost yesterday all
missing tonight. Afternoon made 8 miles N. W. and camped in
cut rocks on the main river at a place apparently not frequented
either by Indians or whites but there are Salmon here but we
have no means o^ catching any without waiting too long. I think
by the looks there are Beaver here but will ascertain in the morn-
ing in order that my trip here may not be entirely lost.

30th, Made 8 mile^ up the creek through Cut Rocks during
which time killed one Salmon and Tv;o Otter so much provisions
atid Nooned on the Walla Walla trail West Fork the Fast being
the one I descended on my first Tour afternoon made N. N. W.
on the Trail. Here plain and good 15 miles at 5 of which
crossed another Fork of Powder River but dry at 5 more a little
water and at camp a little and but a little country rolling and
soil goo<l. At our camp two lodges of Kiuses

31st. Made 15, liles N. N. W. good soil and not very hilly
and nooned at the v^irand Ronde where I found some Kiuse Indi-
ans, Capt Bonneville and two of Mckays men and learned that
Capt. Stewart and Mr. Lee passeii two days before. Afternoon
took the Walla Walla Trail N. N. W. 12 miles and camped at a
very small Prairie with a little stream going N. W. Killed 5 Hens
today. On allowance still.

I Sept. After about 5 miles de[s]cended a very bad mountain
and followed a dry creek then assended another )yid mountain
and nooned with out water at 8 miles of \ery bad going after-
uooi: making along a ridge of mountain 16 miles arrived <it the
OttilliC?] the trail plain the ground stony about N. W. course
but indirect so far from the Three Butes every day has l)een
thick smoke like fog enveloping the whole country last night
we camped at 10 nek having found no water and the whole coun-

232

JOIRNAL

[289

t'i

try burnt as black as my Hat affording as poor a prospect for a
poor sett of Horses as need be.

2nd. Left camp behind and proceed across the Utalla River to
the N. and up a mountain then took a slight ravine going N. W.
and crossing several trails until the ravine leads to a dry willowed
creek going N. E with a little water in puddles then N. W. up a
ravine to the height of land which is a gentle slope then leaving
the trail and goiv.g a few Hundred yards to the left followed a Dry
ravine to the Walla Walla River 22 miles in all N. W. then
down the Walla Walla W. by N. 10 miles to Fort Walla Walla
where I found Mr. Pambrum who did the honors of the Fort in
his usual handsome stile also found Caot. Stewart and Mess Lees
who arrived two days since. Mr. Mckay for some reason remain-
ed in the mountains.

3rd. Remained at Walla W^iUa this day and made arrange-
ments for going down at night Capt Thing and the residue of
the party came up.

4th. In morning left Walla Walla in a boat hired by Capt.
vStewart after proceeding 4 miles obliged to come to land to tight-
en the canoe.

5 6 7th. Down the river and landed to Hire canoes at the
Dalles for the party still behind.

Sth. Waiting at the Dalles for party.

9th. Waitii'.g at same place party arrived at night with news
that they drowned one Horse and the Jackass in crossing the
River I valued him more than 10 horses as a breeder.

loth At noon having with Difficulty hired three canoes start-
ed down the river with three Indians on board. Wind high and
.soon increased to a gale swamped one of the canoes which fright-
ed the Indians back. Obliged to lay by with two of the canoes
behind.

Tith. Walked back and brot up the two canoes. Gale still
furious and finding that raj' people were not good boatsmen enough
Vo follow me left the two boats in charge of Capt. Thing and at
noon put ahead made about 10 miles and swamped the canoe,

1 2th. (jale still violent and canoe so leaky as to require one
man to Bail the whole time kept on until noon and camped un-
til night when it calmed and we put ahead and made to the Cas-
cades the loar of w liich warned me to camp. Here overtook
Capt. .Stewart.

13th. Made our boat a little tighter with some pitch obtained
of Capt. vStewart and made the portage of the Ca.scade carrying
our tilings about i mile and letting our boat down with ropes
raining hard made til 9 ock. at night when it rained so liard that
that with the leakage we could keep the boat free of water no
longer and put ashore.

14th. At 2 ock in morning cleared up a little and we put oti
hut it kept drizzling nt 9 ock. made llic .Saw mill above the Fort

iVi

290]

WYKTirS vSRCONI) IvXPKDITIOX.

a.^S

and got some breakfast not having eaten since noon the day be-
fore at 12 ock arrived at Fort Vancouver where I found Doct.
McLaughlin in charge who received us in his usual manner he
he has here povi^er and uses it as a man should to make those
about him and those who come in contact with him comfortable
and happy.

15th. Early in the morning having hired another canoe put
ahead and in a rainy day at about 1 2 ock. met the Bg May Dacre
in full sail up the River boarded her and found all well she had
put into Valparaiso having been struck by Lightning and much
damaged. Capt Lambert was well and brot me 20 Sandwich Is-
landers and 2 Coopers 2 Smiths and a Clerk.

1 6th. Kept on up the river in order to make Fort Vancouver
and pay my respects to Doct. McLaughlin but the wind failed and
we could not.

17th. Took the gig and went up to Tea Prairie to see about a
location but found none.

1 8th. Came on board and put down the river for Oak point
•where we mean to examine for a location.

19th. Came too at Carneans[?] house and concluded to remain
at least for the winter.

20th. After setting the forges at work and commencing a coal
kiln houses etc, started up the river W'allammut in a gig the gig
followed the Wallamraut t mile then took a creek to the right
and after 5 miles came to the farm of Mr, Tliomas Mckay. where
I was treated with great kindness by LaBonte his foreman and of
him procured horses and proce[elded by land until near night over
hilly wooded country near night came out into large plains of good
lands surrounded with good timber some oak and overtook Mess.
Lees who had started the daj'^ before me and camped with them

they are in search of a location.

2 1 St. Put out in the morning days travell through good lands
rolling suflficient and assorted timber and water. At 3 ock. came
to [and] crossed the Wallamut at Duportes^^^ House and from him got
fresh Horses and proceed up on the K. side ot the river to Jervais
10 miles.

22nd. Not suiting myself as to a farm returned to Duportes
and went lo look at a prairie about 3 miles below his place and
concluded to occupy it it is about 15 miles long 7 w'ide surrounded
with fine timber and a good mill stream on it. 2 2d Laid out a
farm afternoon took a canoe and de[s]cended as far as falls.

23rcl. Made the portage of the falls and was taken violently
sick of vomiting and purging probably caused by having eaten
some Lamprey Kels recovered toward night and arrived at Fort
\'ancou\-er and finished an arratigement in regard to trade.

24th. Went down the river to the vessel.

Tliis ti.'iiiK' is tjivoii :is "I )ii]):itty.s" oil tlio map.

234

JOrRNAI.

[291

and

the
do.

25th. Making preparation for sending out parties

26th. Do & sent off Sunsbury to trade Horses

at the Dalles. Sent Stout up the Wallammut with 2 men and im-
plements to commence farm and started myself up to Vancouver
on buisness.

28th. Up the Wallamut with Mr. Nuttall and Townsend
Mr Stout.

29th. Going up to the falls and went a small distance up
Clackamas River to look at a spot there found it would not
Saw there a chalk formation

30th. Returning down the rivers.

31st. At night reached the vessell at Carneans from this time
until the 13th Oct. making preparation for a campaign into the
Snake country and arrived on the 1 3th at Vancouver and was re-
ceived with great attention by all there

14th. Made up the river 12 miles

15th. " " " River 11 miles

16th. " " " River 13 miles to the Cascades.

17, 18, 19 Delayed by strong winds and making portage on
the last day at night sent a division off under charge of Capt.
Thing

20, 21, 22nd. Same camp with nothing to eat but what we
catch out of the river with our lines not liking to broach our stores
for the voyage

23rd. At sundown our boats arrived from above and I im-
mediately started up the river we pulled all night except stop-
ping to cook at midnight

24th. After taking breakfast and giving the
hours sleep we put up the river with a head wind
chill

25th. Arrived at noon at the Dalles and found all the people
well and but one horse traded

26th. Started Capt. Thing with 12 Kanackas and 6 white?
and all the best Horses

27th. Remained at same camp and traded 5 Horses at about
$5.00 of goods each

28th. vStarted the lioats back and Hubbard down by land witli
13 horses for the farm

29th. & 30th. Same camp traded 4 Horses.

31 St. Started up the river Xanackas on foot for want of Horses
and goods on miserably poor animals To the 7th Nov. moving
slowly up the river during which time and before traded 18 Horses
and 600 lbs dried Salmon which I have reserved for provisions af-
ter we leave the river when I know we shall get none and hav-
ing hired a canoe tor Walla Walla dispatched her with ihis salmon

2 loads of traps one woman one Indian and two whites she
sank once but we recovered all 'uid suffered one days delay only
to drj' the fish we have lived chiefly on trash and dogs fearing

Kanackas
dav raw

two
and

292]

UYUTirS vSRCON'I) KXPEDITION.

235

to commence our stock of provisions expecting to get little or
nothing all winter and I do not mean to starve except when I
cant help it.

8th. Traded one Horse a few drops rain today and for more
than two thirds of the days since the ist of the month. Kept
along the river traded 8 dogs today being a 2 days rations.

9th. Moved along the River Traded i dog but no^Horses.

loth. Left camp and went into Walla Walla found Mr. Pam-
brum well and good natured, and got the news that Capt. Things
1 2 Kanac[k]as had deserted him and that he had gone in search of
them on theii trail.

nth. Went to Capt. Things camp and learned from Mr
Baker t hat the Kanackas had taken about 2 bales of goods and 1 2
horses Returned to Walla Walla on the way met the men who
went with Capt. Thing they had not been successfuU dispatched
an interpreter Mr, Richardson and two other men down the River
in a canoe to head the fellows.

1 2th. Moved camp up the river a small piece for grass having
crossed yesterday no success in trading horses today the Indians ap-
pear to think their fortunes are to be made by an opposition but
thej' will find their mistake today got word that the Kanackas
had not touched the Columbia nor passed the Utalla River and
that Richardson had got a party of Indians to accompany him and
horses and had taken up pursuit on land.

13th. Richardson stil[l] out At night dispatched 4 men after
two Kanackas that have been seen by the Indians about 15 miles
below Walla Walla on the main river.

14th. Robinson and Richardsons party returned with 110 suc-
cess Robinson had seen the track of shod Horses withi?i 5 miles of
Walla Walla

15th. At ID [o]ck this morning dispatched Richardson and Rob-
inson with two men to trace out the track seen by Robinson.
'*s^6\.\\. An Indian brot in one slod Horse which had been taken
by the Kanackas he found it at ^ he Utalla River and brot word
that there saw two of the scamps had bot a canoe and gone down
leaving on [no?J horse except fat which they [the Indians?] took
and one alive which he brot in

17th. Robinson & Richardson Returned no news yet of the rest
"" 1 8th. Finding there is no immediate hope of getting the Kan-
ackas I today dispatcii^d Capt Thing to Fort Hall having i9[?]
men viz 4 Kanackas 10 white men and himself a fur[?3 man and
three Nez Perces 19 in all. This is a picked up lot and I have
great fears they will commit Robber\' and desertion to a greater
extent than the Kanackas have done hut I was obliged to trust to
the chance it is late and the Blue Mounts, are now covered
white with snow altho the grass is green here within 30 miles of
them.

lyth. Went up the Walla Walla River about 7 mil[ejs and

236

JOURNAT,

293

raised a deposit of goods which I had made in tlie ground there
fearing that some of Capt. Things men who knew where it was
might desert and raise it and attempt to go to the Spanish Coun-
try. I am now quite sick with a fever hut must keep doing.

20th, vSpent the day arranging packs Tor a move Weather
clear and cold with much hoar frost and mist.

2ist. Deposited the spare goods on hand at Walla Walla fort

22nd. Finished arranging for moving and [have] given up all
the Horses still missing viz. 2.

23rd. Moved down the Walla Walla River and camped on the
Columbia about 6 miles below the Walla Walla taking leave on
the way of Mr. Parabrun the gentleman in charge of the fort
vStill not well.

24. Moved about 15 miles down the Columbia and camped
without wood night quite cold near some bad rapids just above
the mouth of the Utalla where I have a cash of traps which I in-
tend to raise.

25. Moved about 15 mil[e]s down the river and camped I had
forgot to mention that on the 23rd in the morning when I was
about loading the horses I found that Ira Long a sick and as we
have supposed crazy Kanacka was missing I then thought that he
\vou[l]d go at once to W^alla Walla but do not hear of him yet I
am at a stand to make up my mind w[h]ether he went out of camp
and died suddenly or drowned in the river or ran off what he
should run off for no one can conceive as no duty had been required
of him and he had tea and other luxurys given him on acct. of sick-
ness that iio one else had it is a very strange affair to me. To-
day I hear that one of the two Kanackas who went down the
river in a canoe as per former report has lieen killed for killing
horses liy the Indians other reports say a Kanacka has killed
an Indian. I also hear that 6 of the runaways are on the heads
of John Days River the whole of which storys I take to be lies
invented to tell me in the hopes of a small present of tobacco.
We live on dogs chietly good luck traded 4 today.

26lh. Made about 12 mils down the river and during the day
traded a young fat dog. 27th, Moved about 14. mils down

the river traded one poor little dog and 4 dried salmon. We hear
such contardictory and impossible accounts from the Indians of
the Kanackes that I do not know what to believe.

2Sth. Moved down the River 15 miles traded nothing all
day providentially killed one goose which made supper and break-
fast for 5 of us. Snowed a little this day and of course not much
comfort for a little cold and wet spoils all the comfort of our camps.

29th. 16 mils down the river killed nothing traded 2 dogs
and some little deer meat dried. Snowed all the first part of the
day and uncomfortably cold rains tonight very uncomfortable
some of us have no coats[?] [tents?] men grumble.

294]

WYKTH'S vSKCOND KXrKDITION.

237

30th. The rain of last night chatiged to snow and this morn-
ing the Earth is white and the weather cold made 12 miles and
crossed John Days River then 3 more along the main River and
camped with nothing but grass to cook our supper.

31st. Made today 1 2 miles the last of yesterdays and some
of todays march pretty bad travelling for the horses owing to
cut rocks camped one mile up the river of falls called by the
French "RevieudesShutes["J. I do not know if from the numerous
rapids of this river or its proximity to the great falls of the Col-
umbia which are about 3 miles below its mouth. There is here a
a small villeage of Inds. from whom I understand by signs that
the two Kanackes who de[s]cended the river stole horses here or
killed Horses and in some wrangle with the chief concerning it
one of the Kanackas shot him. I shall be sorr>- if this is true as
in such case I shall be obliged to make a signal example of him
both in order to quiet the Indians and prevent their rising upon
the whites and as a terror to the other Kanackas.

Dec. ist After trading 4 dogs and a few salmon and rx>ts and
ascertained that there was no ford above or near us and that the
road lay on the River we moved camp down to the mouth and
and crossed at a rapid and tolerable deep ford then assended the
hill by a ravine and descending again struck a good sized Beaver
Creek at 6 miles due South while on the divide could see far
ahead of a drear>- r.nowy exposed country without a stick of tim-
der to relieve the eye except far in the distarce a black looking
mass like a cloud of pine timber.

2nd. Moved camp early and left the creek on which we camp-
ed by a ravine to the right running S. S. W. followed it to the
height of land then down a ravine to the creek on which we
camped last night 6 miles foll[ow ]ed this creek 3 miles S. S. W
the;] S. S.3C. to the left of the creek by a ravine 5 more and camped
We here find some little oak timber traded today about 30 lbs.
dried deer meat.

3rd. Mnde 16 mils to the River des Shutes S. S. K. and
camped near about 20 Lodges of Indians had to buy what little
wood we used a thing I mortally detest last night about 12 sett
in to snow before morning turned to rain which lasted all day
the coldest I ever knew and blew a gale in our teeth this has
been a miserable uncomfortable day the first part of it we assend-
ed gradually until \\e readied a high ridge then de[s]cended
suddenly to the river on the ridge considerable snow and the
whole country covered with little round cones of earth denoting
that the winds blow over this divide continually and strong.
Grass is far as I could see pretty good.

4th. Moved camp S. S. W. 3 miles and camped on the fork
of the River coming from timbered hills to the W. N. W, We
hear that the two Kanackas have been followed by the Indians
and killed in revenge for killing one of them and their Horses.

338

JOI'RNAI.

['95

'in-

stil. Same camp trying to trade horses get none j'ct.

6th. Same camp

7th. vSame camp

8th. S' nie camp

gth. Same camp During all this time traded hut one Horse,
Imt fared well enough for food as we obtained as many dogs as we
could eat during the time Gully my Indian having lost his horse
went out to hunt him and as Iltelievr with a determination to «[uit
me he found his horse and sent it to cam]) by an Indian with word to
send his things with some trifling excuse but I kept the Horse and
things the Indian whom he sent said he would go and take the Horse
for which I gave him a flogging and he went oft' during this time
we percussioned 3 Rifles our powder being so ])adly damaged
as to render flint looks useless. In this vicinity there are Klk and
Deer as we trade their meat and skins of the Inds. in small quant-
ities the grass here is good and here I cashed some goods our horses
being to[<il j)oor to carrv thetn on.

loth Moved but without our guide whom I had engaged who
was among the missing when we started and I suppose engaged only
to get something but without intending to start W'e took a S. S.
W course and crossed the fork on which we had camped for some
days past and after mounting the lall mountains which range
along this fork found an ext^:isivr , Inn lipyond which white and
high rose a range of mourtain.s disii arieuing to look at but
ahead is the word and the spirit scenis to vaise with ll.c occ:i>siot)

this range runs K. & \V. made this day 1 1 miles to thr foot
of the range along which is a small stream[?| heic we cashed
some provisio!.s for ot'.r return route ami sonic loads of dry goods
which our horses are too weak to carry.

nth. S. S. \\". and luounted the mountains which we found
much less formidable th;m they appearv:d to be the earth and trees
are covered with a heavy hoar frost which at a distance made
them look as if covere'l deep with snow of which there was but
little these mountains have scattering groups of jiine tini'»er and
some oak and the little pi .ins in them have brown[?J cedars sim-
ilar to those of >.'. 1*^. but still of a dilTprent sort but yet the rob-
ins in considerable number feed on the berries which reminded me
of old pleasures and home where I have often been out to shoot
these birds from the lavingC?] hut these are too ])ainful to b.' in-
dulged and the present evil is enough without calJing up old joys
to enhance it made this day 15 miles a;ul camped o;; snow water
with good pine wood day cloudy wind X. ]\. and cold Saw
the first elk and deer sign for some time they say we cai'",ot
cross the divide to Clamat but I will go as tar as I can.

1 2th Engaged an Indian Guide last night but he too it seems
has backed out as I cannot find him this morning Madi- one
mile down the ravine in which we camped and came t(» a small
creek running al)out K. then assended the hills and after 5 mils

196]

wYimrs si^coNi) ivXI'kdittox.

came t< » a hirjjer cn-ek then 3 miles more where the trail ^:xve out ' hen
courses S. S. W. then struck S. by K. 3 mils and crossed a small
creek this and the last ruunititj; K then 3 mils more and amped
on a dry ravine all these last courses S. l)y Iv j>;rass this I'ar pretty
^ood and country timbered and prettily levell today with small
praiiies. vSaw much Klk and Deer signs but killed none.

13th M ' 1e 5 miles S. by IC. over level timbered with small
openings country and came to a crck with very bad cut rock
banks at least 400 feet high we had much tlifllculty in getting
our horses down to the water and up the opposite hank but suc-
ceeded after laming several of our horses this creek is rapid tol-
era])ly larc!:e and runs N. IC. we then made 3 miles vS. by E.
and camped the snow here covers the ground and the horses
have to dig for their food. Saw today 12 deer and a^ieat uan-
tity of IClk and Deer sign and one bear track after camping
went out t ) hunt but cotild kill nothing toda^^ the first clear day
for lour'd.iys the fog lifted a little and enabled us to see a range
of snowy rats on the west side of us and one very high bearing S.
W. •dLsi.>;it about 25 miles should we have any considerable fail
of snow now we should loose all our horses the^ could not sub-
sist with much iwotq than there is now all the dog meat which
we have brot with us from the last Inds. is done
and we have now to look to our guns to supply us
or eat our horses. We have about 4 bushells of rice
and flour in camp for cases of extremity atid a little dog
grease. Small game there is none we have but 10 lbs of
powder along and that damaged Go ahead very cold for the
4 last days.

I4ih Made S. 1\. 4 miles to a v^ry small creek running in an
immense chasm into which we got and campe<l the gra.ss being
irood ar.doar liorses having had nothing last night except what
thev dug up trom beueaih several inches of snow saw many deer
today but killed none sent our hunters out after champing all
but one relr.rned empty and him I suppose has lost 1. nself in the
forests as I heard a gun late at night and returned several shots
weather still quite foggy and very cold.

15th S. K. by 1{. 4 miles and down the ravine the snow grow-
ing less and less visibly in this direction got out f , he woods
and saw the country bare (^f snow here found a lodge i>( Indians
who have 32 Horses traded one of them and have the promise of
trading two 1 ore in the morning the man missing lasi nigh[t]
came [in] thi[s] mug.

i6th. Traded I lie 1 vo horses one of which cost S;? '2 cents of
beads first cost- Mac- Iv. down the ravine 2 mils then struck a
good trail crossing the ravine and going ofFS. S. \V. which I fol-
lowed over rocky high land S mils and came to a very large creek

I should think it must be at least one-half of the River Des
Shutes at least running in an immense chasm into which we de-

340

JOlRNAf.

I.J97

[slcciulcd and cumped in ^ood j^rass and plenty of dry wood
which makes us very comfortable for the tiip^ht is very cold dur-
ing the march f>ver the hiph land saw a chain of mts on our left
and the other side of the river while with stiow and partly wooded.

17th. Went lip the creek W. S. W. 2 miles when it turned
south and we forded it at a deep ford horses suffered mucii from
the coldness of the water then woutid vS. K. up the opposite bank
of the river very hig;h and precipitous 2 miles more here saw
many deer killed none after attaininj; the heigh [t] made H miles
S. S. W. through timber and snow tlicn vS. vS. IC. 4 miles also
through timber saw several places where deer had been killed by
the wolves which are here numerous and very large camped at
a little grass the first seen today where the horses can dig up a
little food. The country ahead appears more open we have now
a little rice to eat and no meat begin to look at the horses still
cold.

i8th. Made S. S. K. 12 miles to a small creek during this
days march a snowy range of high mts. in points lay along our
right and front stretching so that our course today just doubles
their eastwardly termination at a place where probably a fork of
the river Des Shutes passes this range runs N. E. & S. W.
still farther on our left and apparently on the other side of the
same river there is ar.othcr r.iiige ru'i;:!;)'^ X. bv S. today saw a
very great amt. of sign and deer and have concluded to stop and
hunt tomorrow and rest the horses lo';ighL a litlle snow sciiiall.

19th. vSame camp Went out hunting killed 2 deer and several
wolves this day came to us 5 W'alla Walla Inds. who are out
hunting they camp with us tonight they sav tliat the game
comes down from the mts. in the winter on account of the snows
which is the occasion of its being so plenty at this time one
man out of camp tonight probably lost sliall wait tomorrow tor
him if he does not come in the meantime and take another hunt
for meat which is now (juite a luxury.

20th. Same camp killed one deer found the lost man

2 1 St. Made vS. S. K. 15 miles toward the eastwardly termina-
tion of the range of mts which has for some time beeti visible
on our right at this point we can see no mts. but a little farther
on the left they commence again apparently the same range which
we have seen for some time ranging on the Iv side of tliL' river.
Killed no game today but saw plenty.

22nd. S. E. by E. 10 miles and struck a small creek which
though very rapid was so hard froz?n over that we crossed it on
the ice tlien N. E. 1^2 mil[ejs and came to a very large creek
which I take to be the main river it is about as large as the
other fork which we crossed on the 17th inst. country a little
more broken deer plenty but killed none today a little warmer
than .usual.

23rd. vStarted up the river E. vS. I\. and gradually in 4 mil[e]s

398]

WYKTH'vS vSKCOND EXPEDITION

travel rounded to a S. S. W. course and made 1 2 more the last 6
of which the snow increased in such a manner that tonight we
find no grass for our Horses and being afraid to advance with
them another days march I have determined to send them back
and with 3 men I propose to build canoes and assend as far as I
can and ascertain if it is possible to get the horses through and
if so to send back for them and if not to ascertain if there is beaver
and if so trap it if not further advance [in] this quarter is useless.
Tonight set in to snow hard but soon turned to rain.

34th. Snowed and rained all last [night] and still snowing
with a gale o<" wind from S. S. W. nearly all the horses gone
astray about 1 2 having found all but one killed a poor Horse
for food and sent the party all bnt three back to find grass for
the horses cut down two large pines and commenced two canoes
gale all day with occasional snow and rain.

25th. Same camp gale S. S. W. Snow and rain all day a
miserable Christmas worked what little we could on the canoes.

26th. Day fair and calm warm go ahead making canoes

still at the canoes

still at the canoes and eating

Sick with indigestion

27th. Day fair calm and warm

28th. day fair calm and warm
horse meat

29th. Fair weather and mild.

30th. Fair weather and mild.

31st. Fair weather and mild all so far South wind myself
tietter and finished the canoes and horse meat at the same time
viz; this evening at supper the men have called our two boats
Black Snake & Triton.

1835 Jany ist, Started in the morning in the canoes about 5
miles by the river about 2 ]4 miles due south and came to a rapid
in attempting to assend which got filled with water and afterward
in towing with t>\ .'a she broke loose and went down stream
we recovere' her 'aUc % long run and assended again to the rapid
and it Vteiug uia- 1 <jh camped killed today one fine fat goose
warm soutl v.'t;:d rai • snow deeper as we proceed and is now about
2 feet "- irt ,y roii' s and covered with pines set 4 traps for
beavei i^v::;> ;^\.X i.r.i in hopes to have one for breakfast.

2nd. Went to my traps found r.othing then made snow
shoes and set out with one man to explore the river took a due
.south course and in 3 or 4 miles came unexpectedly to the river
there running smooth. I was happy to see it as I was entirely
tiredof this mode of travelling my shoes were too small and I
frequently sunk into the snow and [it] bothered me much to get
out again sometimes I would tread on my shoes and fall down
and on the whole I though[tl I could get along better without
them returned to camp killed three ducks for four of us small
allowance with our men took our boat up to the rapids and
spent the residue of the day in getting our canoe past the rapid
most of the time up to my middle in this cold water had to make

242

JOl'RNAL

[299

a portage at last of about ^ o^ ^ ^^^<^ ^^^ river here makes a
detour to the E. and around S to west to the place where we take
our things across.

3rd. Raised my traps and found one beaver caught the large-
est I ever saw I think he weighed 65 lbs. ai:d killed one duck a
very seasonable su[)ply of food the residue of the day finished
making the portage and sett 8 traps the other Boat also got :',et-
ling above vSnow today and rained hard last night nearly all night.
Wind Strong N. W. the lirst wind beside S. since 10 days.

4th. Found but one beaver in our traps took a jaunt up the
river at aixnit 6 miles straight line vS. the river forks into two
apparently equal streams followed the left one about 2 milsj^-. by
K. and returned to camp ♦ired enough having found only sign
enough in this distance to set 3 traps the river winds so that we
have to paddle twice the real distance rained and snowed some
during the day. Saw for the first time on this route swans they
appear plenty here country still timbered but mucli mo"e levc'l.

5th. Caught 3 Beaver rained and snowed hard all last nig' t
and part of today raised camp and cainped about 2 miles beioxv
the forks mentioned yesterday one of the beaver caught today
would weigh I should think 70 lbs. and our fries look finely '.vltii
sundry roasting sticks around full of meat the beaver are fat and
we live finely again. Wind slro.ig and south.

6th Rained all the forenoon and hail and snow all the after-
noon caught no beaver saw very little sign heard a rapid or
fail ahead killed 2 swans so fat that we could not eat all the
grease a rare thing in this country to be troubled with fat vSeems
good to live well after poor horse meat and short supply Shall
lay down the course tomorrow when 1 get it more accurately

today being too thick to see and the river more winding than
ever timber less plenty and very small and but little of t\w. large
kind of pine country as lar es we can see very level with here
and there a rjund conical mountain.

7th Started up the river to sett traps found sign for but one
and returned to camp at the same place as last night killed one
swan which w ould weigh I should think 35 lbs. too fat to eat

one we eat yesterday yielded nearly 2 qts. of oil more than we
could eat with it. These birds are delicious it is strange that
one only does two of us two meals that is to say a day. They
do:it eat so in the states day i^retty cold wind S. W. strong

little snow tf)dav and some sun out the bed of the river is a
sott white stone or hard clay the same as found on the Clacamas

I think it is of the chalk formation.

8th Remained all day at same camp on account of a severe
snow storm it snowed all day and fell about one foot Blew strong
from the South v/hich is almost constant wind here.

9th went down the river and raised some traps we had set
there and returned to same camp The river from the last placc[tOj

3oo]

WVHTIfS .SlvCONI) KXPKDITIOX.

243

which I brought it runs S. K. i mile at which point a fork com-
ing from the Eastward but it was frozen up so we could not as-
seud it then south 5 miles to this camp.

loth Snowed and rained all last night hard and today so we
are blessed with about S inches of slush makes every thing very
uncomfortable did not move camp.

T fth. Last n ght grew cold and set in for a hard snow storm
with a gale of wind from the W. S. W. which continued without
intermission until sunset today so we did not move camp the
cracking of the falling trees and the howling of the blast was more
grand than comfortable it makes two individuals feel their in-
significance in the creation to be seated under a blankelt with a
fire in front and 3 'a- feet of snow about theui and more coming
and no telling when it will stop, tonight tis calm and nearly full
moon it .seems to shine with as much indifference as ihe storms
blow and w[h]ether for weal or woe, we two poor wretches seem to
be little considered in the matter. The thov^hts that have run
through my brain while I have been lying here in the snow would
lill a volume and of such matter as was never put into one, ray in-
fancy, my youth, audits friends and faults, ray manhoods troubl-
ed stream, its vagaries, its aloes mixed with the gall of bitterness
and its results viz under a blankett hundreds perhaps thousands
of miles from a friend, the Blast howling about, and smothered in
snow, poor, in debt, doing nothing to get out of it, despised for
a visionary, nearly nakci, but there is one good thing plenty to
eat health atid heart.

1 2th. Started up stream and made vS. 6 miles at which point
there is a considerable creek coming in from W. vS. W.. water as
warm as the main river and not frozen up. Then 3 miles S. S.
K. and camped. Saw but little beaver sign today river not very
rapid but winding saw otdy two swans could not kill them
caught one yearling beaver spit snow all day at night set in to
snow hard moderately cold wind S. but moderate.

13th 6 miles W. by N. creek very winding and more rapid
than usual and camped just below a severe rapid fine sun in the
forenoon but cloudy and snow spits in tho afternoon and this
evening.

14th Snowed al»'.<ut .| inches last night. Today pretty cold
passed the nund on the south side of the south > hannel there be-
ivig a small island at this place just above the island there is a
raft of drift timber wliich extends across the whole river this we
made a portage of for about 6 rods at the rapid I hauled the
canoe wading in the water about waste deep and remaining in it
about 3 hours and got quite numb but at last got through with it

we then assended the river 3 niik s more in go(xi water but very
winding S. W. to make which 1 think we paddled 8 miles to
another rapid not sevt-re rinding that it would take some time
and being obliged to r.>tjr:i to camp soon concluded not to pass

244

JOURNAL

[30 1

this rapid and returned to the first rapid and set 6 traps day
windy frrm S. \V. and some snow and sunshine.

15th. Last night excessively cold the cracking of the trees
kept me awake part of the night and night before 1 was kept up
most of the night by a fever arising from indigestion today
cold calm and clear as the sun got high it was extremely pleas-
ant and this is the only day I have seen that would pass for a
pleasant one in a good climate this winter went to the traps
found nothing decended the rapid after another cold job in the
water and returned to our camp of the 13th inst on the way
down saw 5 swan the first since the 1 2th but killed nothing but 3
ducks We are getting short of provisions again at evening very
cold again.

1 6th Started down the stream and made the portage of ihe
falls about one hour after sunset last night the ther. must have
been 10 below zero and the river scum over with drift ice which
made us make haste for if we should get frozen up here it would
be hard times for food the water fowl and beaver would be done
and other game there is absolutely none and to travel would be
almost impossible there is four feet of snow however we could
try snow shoes. Killed 4 ducks and one swan today the latter
would weigh at least 45 lbs. a very seasonable supply as all our
food gave oitt this morning. Day calm sunny not very cold
tonight strong south wind and rain.

17th Moved camp down stream about a mile and found our
other boat with Mr. Richardson & Rob[in json the latter during
the severe cold had frozen his toes and fingers and the former was
unwell with a numbness in his hips they reported to me that the
beaver on this creek had made them sick probably this was what
was the matter with me there is plenty of wild parsnip here
they raised camp with us and we stopped the canoes where we
built them and made a portage of ^ of a mile this severe
work in deep snow we then decended about 3 miles and came to
rapids part of which we let our boats over by the line in about yi
mile more came to worse rapids and made a portage of about }ii
mile then immediately let the boats down further rapids about
100 rods to do which I had to remain in the water the whole
time it was after dark when I got through the other boat got
nearly through and gave it up and I suppose have camped with-
out fire or food. The river falls at each of these carrying places
at least 50 feet Rained most all day.

1 8th. Went up above the last rapid to see the other boat
fouiui them comfortably camped they mide a portage of their
things and I at*etjapted to run their boat empty just as I took
the vShute the low struck a rock I did not see she swung round
filled at once and commenced whirling over like a top I hung to
her and passed without further damage than mashing both of
my feet severely between the boat atid a rock was in much pain

>Oi

wvETH'vS skc(jM) i-:xpi;i)rn(>N

all this day hut not very lame we run by the river about two
miles and passed some bad rapids then made a portage of about a
'4 mile into a slew of the river which we followed about '4 ri^il^
further then were forced to make a bad jiortage up a steep l)ank
of lava about 100 feet this portaj^e about ^'^ mile we Ihen ""an
about two miles further and camped snow here not so deep as
above and apparently diminishing fast men much tired and dis-
couraged and wish to abandon the canoes which I do not mean
to do until I am obliged to cashed at the first jKirtage today 22
traps good weather today.

19th. vStarted down stream and ran a continuous rapid for
about 2 miles we let our boats down aVwut '4 mile then crossed
the river and let the boats down a few rods and finding the river
was pretty much all rapids and falls concluded to abandon the
boats cashed all l)ut our blanket '- l)ooks amunition axe and ket-
tles and took it on foot with about 60 lbs each on our backs and
I foot of hard snow into which we sank sometimes and sometimes
not it however diminished as we proceeded we made about 6
miles and saw plenty of deer and camped killed one which was
just in time as a little piece of swan was all the meat left in camp.

I am very tired [and] hungry but the deer will cure all this there is
little snow at this ])lace ctiv cam,) I think can not be far off on
the other side oi the river I can see a grassy plain of about 30
miles long and about 5 wide bare of snow snowed a little this
morning day fine tonight freezing a little.

20th Started late sore footed but with a full l)elly and anad-
dirion of about 20 lbs meat each we made about 6 miles and pass-
ed our camp of the 22nd and 23rd ult. about i mile further we
crossed a s nail fork the one we before crossed on the ice then
S. 2 miles and camped and tried liard for a doer but could not get
one altlio wc saw a great many da\ fine this evening cool
grass not mu(^h covered with snov.' see no sign of camp yet.

2tst. Made 2 miles X. to the river and camped took a turn
down the river about 5 miL-s to look for some sign of our camp

found a little Indian sign of about the same age but nothing of
our people. Afternoon went out to a higii hill to the \V. and
made a large pile of brush and after dark set fire to it in order
that if our people arc rear that they may see it and come to us

sent a man over the river to look but he could not cross but he
saw one of their camps shall go tomorrow and ascertain il it so
killed nothing today so we shall have no breakfast in the morning

day fine tfilerable cool 1 inch of snow last night which went
off" today.

22nd. vSnnwed part of list night and rained the residue and
the tbrenoon of today snow the rest and part o^ the night in
morning our hunter went out and wounded a deer which the
wolves r<\\\ down but before he could find him they had eaten up
all but enough for 2 meals this morning breakfasted on two beav-

246

JOrRXAI.

er tails which I had laid by and forgotten so we have not yet on
this trip lost a meal as yet myself in the morning made a raft
and endeavored to cross the river but Anind I had selected a bad
place and could not do it went above found a better place
made another raft and succeeded found one of our camjis so we
now have some clew to camp and shall push for it after getting a
small supply of meat beforehand whid strong southwardly camp-
ed this night in a cave of the rocks .'le mile S. of last nights
camp.

23rd Moved down to camp of 22nd inst and went out to hunt

killed nothing myself but Mr Richardson killed a fawn so we
have 2 meals ahead besides two nights supper Mr R. is sick of a
bad cold in his chest and some biles on his neck and cannot carr\-
his ])ack Rained steady all day.

24th Made 12 miles N. by W. and using what looked like a
fine ford 1 tried to wade the river but at first failed went a little
lower and succeeded and got back safe but l)enumbed with cold
and after warming myself at a fire which the rest had built took
my things across and built a roaring fire to warm tue others, as
they came over here found some beaver cuttings saw but little
deer or sign today cold wind \V. cloudy snow nearly gone.

25th. Made 10 miles X. and seenig a little deer sign stopped
and our hunter went out during the marcli we heard a gun on
the west side of the river we fired guns and were answered
toward night a little Snake Indian came to us and induced us to
go to their camp which was among the cedars about 5 miles X.
H. we found them without meat but we bought of tliem a lean
dog of which we made supper and enough left for breakfast so tis
rub and go. there were three lodges they had no guns but had
killed much deer as proved by the number i»f skins they had
last night and this forenoon snowed about 5 inches today rained and
melted most of it no water except snow and iliat dirty at this
camp.

26th I'nder the guidance of a Snake Indian we struck X. W.
to the river 7 miles and forded it at a rapid and waist deep ford
then W. by X. 4 miles and came to S lodges of Snakes here our
guide I suppose heard that our camp had moved and backed out
of his job by rutniisig away we then struck X. W. S miles and
came to the small river on which we [camped] the i8th 19th and
20th ulto here we saw one Indian who ran from us who appear-
ed to be a Snake, while we were debating which course to pur.'ue
we espied 4 Indians on the opposite side of the creek these we
spoke and they Informed us where our camp was and one of them
took my pack to it they had killed several deer but we thought
to get to camp and did not take any we made from the creek X.
X. W. up a very steep high h^ll 5 miles and coming very dark we
catnped for the first time this trip without supper and n.v «. (.; out
l^laiiketts and tired enough.

304l

\vvi:Tirs sia'ONi) icxpi-ditiox.

27111 (lot up atul having no breakfast to cook or eat started
the earlier and moved N. X. \V. :i mil<^s and the rest refused to go
further preferring to wail until .;ome chance Indian should come
along hunting to take them the right way to camp I having no
pack started in quest of it and pa:;sing the X. X. W . course in i
y]> mile found it on a little thread of water running X. and deep
snow during the time we had been gone they had killed 20 deer
and had not starved the Walla Walla Indians are here hunting.
They go out on their horses and run them and as the deer get
tired the Inds. get go(Kl shots at them but the number wounded
is much greater than that killed on these the wolves feast at
night and keep up a continual howl after these last comes the
ravens for their share I found missing from yesterday 6 horses
among which was my two fitie riding horses rnd three others
which have been stolen l)y the Snakes who are up to this kind oi
dealing today sent men to look for the 6 and they l)rot but one

day fine for any country and warm tonight freezing cold.

28th Sent out two men again for the 5 missing horses and aft-
er finding the residue which not until noon started X. by W. and
after 12 miles struck the old trail on which I came up about 6
miles from our camp of 16 & 17 day very fine nothing to eat
tonight but a little flour cam]).?d on a little stream made I))- the
thawing of the snow.

29Th Rose early a!id without any breakfast started down the
valley on which we camped last night which joins a large fork of
the Des Shutes in about 3 miles from this and leaving the old
trail on which I came up to the left madeX. X. H. 2 miles then
leaving the valle}' to the left made i 'a miles X. K. then going
dovvn a very steep and high cut rock bank K. i mile crossed the
large fork of the Des Shutes about 2 miles below ray camp of the
1 6th and 17th ulto. this ford is deeper and more rapid than the
one I made before possibly the stream is higher on account of
the thawing of the snow We are camped with al)0ut 12 lodges
oi Walla Wallas they have at this moment a good supply of
meat deer which they are drying I presume they have not often
.so much on hand as they seem to value it highly on my arrival
I made the chief a good present to induce him to influence his
people to trade but as yet have traded of root and meat but aliout
y days supply I intend waiting here three nights in order that
they make another hunt and then perhaps I may get a sufiicient
.supply to take me down. Tomorrow is Sunday and there will be
neither trading nor hunting in this camp this is my birthday but
I have forgotten how old I am

30th This unless m>- reconing is wrong is vSunday at day
dawn the chief called the Inds. to prayers which consist of a
short recitation followed l)y a tune in which all join without
words after which a note in accord to wind off this is repeated
:-,everal times on vSunday and is a dayly practice at daylight to-

24S

.IdrRVAI.

I ,V\i

day tlu^ two men sent for the horses came in and brought 4 2 of
which were ray riding horses this day warm as June in N.
Iv and no snow in this valley.

31st The Inds. commence their meal with religious ceremonys
and then come and beg a smoke the day is also closed with
religious ceremonies traded about 2 days provisions of the Indians

day fine as summer and the grass begins to start a little

F'eb. ist Started [from?] camp early and made 8 miles X. by K.
over a trail which we followed the latter part of the 16 ulto. I then
laid the .^ourse S. S. W. to make our camp of the 16 ik 17 which
was about i mile above our last nights camp traded today about
2 days provisions looked at the rocks a little and as the country
has been the same as far as I have been a description of the bluffs
here v.ill answer for the whole. There are some cut blufs of
Basalt in its original position but they are chieflj' a very coarse
smd stone of an ash color in layers some of which are finer and
some coarser it is soft and is composed of rubble stone of lava
and primitive rocks it sometimes contains organic remains bones
I have taken out of it in £. fos[s]il state a small piece of which I
have preserved Today cloudy and on the high land over which
we came today it was quite chilly but in the vallej* of the Small
creek on which we are camjied it is warm latter p;irt of the day
sunny.

2nd Moved camp X. by K. H miles over a plain and pretty
gocxl trail leaving entirely the route which I followed coming up

the Indians killed some deer grass aopears bettv r day cloudy
or foggy until about noon when the sun came out like April in
X. E. '

3rd This day the Indians concluded not to move camp I
therefore requested the chief to call on his people to come and
trade meat they traded about 6 days provisions and I left them
following the trail N. by E. <S miles to a creek wnich we crossed
in our march of the 1 2th u[i]to. the Banks of this creek is of
fine deep red clay and at this camp there is a hot spring too hot
to bear the hand in long and smoking like a coal pit it tastes of
sulphur and iron and deposits a whitish substance on the pebbles
as it dries away we hear for tlie first time this setison the croak-
ing of the frogs trail good, grass good, day cloudy and chill.
Ther in spring 191'"

4tli. iCarly in mng. took my thermometer to ascertain the
heat of the spring found it to be 134" and took a good bath by
going a little distance down the stream to find a suitable tempera-
ture and this first time for a long while feel myself pretty clean,
rose camp and crossed the little stream on which we camped and
leaving the Indian trail struck X. X. E. and in 6 miles came to
the main river Des Shutes along which we found a small trail
we made 4 miles X. and caaiped during this distance the river
could be run by a good boatman but it is almost a continued rapid

,^o6]

WYKTirS SKCON'I) HXPKDITIOX.

24y

the rocks of this inarch appear to l>e all shades lx;t\veen green
and red similar to the earth it appears by being porous to be
volcanic the first course of the march ver^' miry the last firm
and pretty good, grass improving, day cloudy in morning sunny
this afternoon. Saw much Big Horn and deer sign by the way.

5th Made along the river i mile N. then west 2 miles up a
mountain then N. i mile and down a ravine then K. N. E.
2 miles to the main river again and down a ravine then 7 miles
X. by E. along the main river ai;d camped trail plain all the
way but very hilly and stony grass good, day at first cloudy and
on the mountain much hoar frost in afternoon sunny the
upper part of the mountain was of mica slate very much twist-
ed this afternoon the rock was volcanic and in some places un-
derlaid with green clay Saw today small holders of a blackrock
which from its fracture I took to b« bituminous coal but its weight
was about that of hornblende perhaps it might be Obsidian but
I think was heavier than any I have ever seen river all this days
march might be nm if there is no bad place where I cut the
mcmntaiu saw Big Horn trails but not the game.

>Sth Made along the river 4 miles N. by W. during which
space saw nothing that might not be passed by a good boatman
then mounted the \V. bank of the river and came to a large cedar
plan 3 miles N. by W. then N. by E. over the plain 6 miles
more to tinkers camp in crossing at this camp wet my cases witli
all my paper: by a horse falling in the river while fording day
cloudy with a little snow found this branch some higher than
when I passed up here we found and raised a small cash which
I made on my way up and during the march sent two men to
raise another which I made at the next camp above from these
Indians I hear that [of] my runaway Kanackas 10 took the trail
over the Blue one was drowned in crossing some ford one
froze in the upper country that the residue rafted the Snake riv-
er one more died somehow about the falls that 7 are gone down
to Vancouver tonight traded 8 dogs for their fat to kill the lice
on my horses.

7th Early in the day the two men sent to raise the cash came
in with its contents undamaged exchanged at 1 his camp a
little, lame, mare for a tolerable horse in pretty good order
ed for a knife each 6 dogs today used the grease of these
to kill the lice on my horses that are nearly covered with them
day cloudy but not cold in the valley Mount Hood bears j,4 point
N. of N. W. sick myself of a bowell complaint cashed at this
camp I yi bales corn and 7 setts shoes and nails.

8th N. N. W. 16 miles in the first place 2 miles to the top
of an elevated range of woodless hills which skirt the west side
of the creek on which we camped then down the slope of these
hills 4 miles more during this space much sni)w then struck in-
to a little creek which we followed 6 miles then uj) the left bank

poor
trad-
dogs

iSo

JO URN A I,

|3'>7

of this creek to another and hxrger fork of the ^ame 4 miles and
camped in good grass This creek comes from the S. W. and is
now as large as the small creek on which I camped the lirst night
after leaving the mouth of the river I)es Shntes on my way up
there are several Indians with me who say that once there was
much beaver on this creek but that the British Cos have trapped
it out day cloudy a tew drops of rain.

9th ^'^oved camp early on a plain and good trail N. N. W. 10
miles to the Dalls after following on this trail 3 miles we came
to a small creek coming from the \V. vS. W. and joining the one
on which we camped last night and at 5 miles more another which
either joins the same very near the Columbia or goes into the
Columbia found vSoaptillyi?] and a few more Chinooks at the
river of whom I traded one horse and a canoe they report 7
Canackas gone down and tliat one was drowned at the falls and
one froze in the mountains leaving one unaccounted for rained a
little today.

loth Started early in a very leaky canoe which kept us])ailing
all the time and made S miles N. W. 5 W. and 3. S. W. i west
and on account of high witid camped aliout noon a little rain as
usual.

nth At about sunsett last niglit the wind lulled a little and
we made a start but the wind contiiuied high and aoout 2 ock we
arrived at the Cascades a little above which we camped this
morning v/ent to the Cascades and there found Mr Ermalinger
with a brigade of 3 boats taking up the outlils for the upper forts also
Capt. Stewart Mr Ray and one more gentleman made the port-
age and in 12 hours made the saw mill.

T2th In the morning made to Vancouver and found there a
polite reception and tomy greatastonishraeiit Mr HallJ.Kell[e]y
he came in Co. with Mr Young from Monte El Rey and it is said
stole between them a bunch of Horses Kell[e]y is not received at
the Fort on this account as a geiitleman a house is given him
and food sent him from the Gov. Table but lie is not suffered to
mess here I also found 7 of my runaway Kanackas they appear
to be very sick of their job so I have concluded not to be severe
with them I hear also that Fort Hall iias traded 300 skins up to
v.'hat time do not know or how true also that Tom Bule &
Harry two more of the runaways arc v>'ith some of McKays men
on Snake River tliey will probably fall in at Fort Hall

13th Went down to the station at Carneaus[?] and found all
well and doing pretty well. This is Sunday and I liave lost 3
days somewhere. During the residue of this montli sent Mr
Richardson to the Dalles with supplies for the party which I left
above trapping he had tempestuous weatlier and was gone 13
days myself took a trip up the Wallanint to look i-'t^r the farm
and mv tavlor who had deserted me during the winter after

30«1

wvi-vni's siccoxi) icxiM':i)rn()N'.

251

Richardson had jrone I look a small catioe and ])roceeded up the
Columbia and in my jiroRress got iilled with the violence of the
wind and quant ty ot rain I arrived at \'ancouver in the morn-
ing 23rd Feb. a id met a reception such as one loves to find in
such a country as this

24th vStarted down tlie Columbia to the moutli of the W'alla-
mut up which about 4 miles to the head of Wappatoo Islands
here finding the canoe to deep to proceed against the rajiid cur-
rent of this river now very high we ]Mit down the west slew
and crossed over the first bank of the river into the waters back
and went to the Farm of Mr Thomas McKay and procured
horses and went b>- land this took us all of the 25 & 26 l)oth
of whicli days it rained hard all the littie streams made us swim
our horses and some of the open prairies were swimming and
much of them wading at tiight of the 26th arrived at vSandy
camp just above which I had i:)egun a farm.

27th Went to the farm and found the Taylor and Sloat the
foreman gone down to see me they having heard of my return

during the day went up to Mr Lees place in order to get liab-
liste to school wiih him in which I succeeded

2Sth returned to Camp Sandy rain today

29th vStarted for McKay Farm during a hard rain and snow

30th Arrived at McKays farm

31st Hack to station at Carneaus [?] place and here found mj'
runaway 'I'aylor

Marcli ist From this time until the 8th employed him In get
ting out coopers stuif and timber for a house boat which I intend
to Iniild.

Apl 13th vSunday I suppose employed in getting out stuff
for the house boat iti ciUting 8000 hoop poles and in building a
canoe 60 feel long wide and deep enough to chamber barrells of
whicli she will take 25 she is clean of knolls shakes and almost
of sap and 27 feet cut off the same tree of the same kind of stuff

the whole tree was 242 feet long and this oy no means the
largest tree on Wappatoo Island this is of the Spruce kind to-
day I am on my way down to Fon W' illiam where the Brig lay to
regulate matters there I havejust yjarted from Mr McLaughlin Esq.
on his way to view the Fallatlen [Tualaliii}plains I suppose with some
idea of making him u farm there some day I have now out of 21
people 7 sick and little work can be done after deducting from
the remainii'g 14 a provision boat to trade food and enough to
lake care of the sick up to the first of this mouth it rained con-
tinually and about J4 of the time since I find the plows which I
brought Irom the States of no use in the new lands here no news
as vet from Bg. or Capt Thing So far with much exertion we
provided ours'^Ivcs with food but the whites in this country are
ochausled of all kinds.

r , '4

COPY OK A LKTTICR AND A vSTATKMF.XT OV FACTS

PKRTAININO TO A CLAIM IJASI-J) UPON

OPKRATIONvS INVOLVIvI) IN THK

TWO IvXPKDiTlONvS.

Ciiml). Dec i^ih 1847
Dear vSii ,

The papers herewith enclosed are in continuation of
of the subject brought to your notice in my letter of the 5th of
April last which was accompanied b> copy of statements relating
to claims of John McLoughlin Es(i.,formerly chief Factor in charge
of the H. B. Co's western district comprising all the territories oc-
cupied by that Co west of the Rocky Mts. but who has since re-
tired from their service, and resides at Oregon City. This state-
ment or memorial was dated previous to the late treaty of Ixjund-
ary with Great Britian, and under the impression that his rights
would be subjected to the capricious justice of the new settlers
who had then formed a provisional government. I conceive that
^he said treaty fully .secures his rights, or should they not be
secureCi by the treaty, you will oblige me by securing them so far
as in your power. I have placed the copy of his memorial as
above stated in your hands for this purpose. At this time I shall
confine myself to my own interests in Oregon.

Having gone to Oregon in march 1832 for purposes recognized
by the convention then existing between the U. S. & O. B,
having formed establishments there of the same character and for
the same purposes, as those formed previously by the N. W. &
Hudson's Bay Cos. having maintained one of the .same through
tenant to the present time, and having after two expeditions, ac-
companied by much suffering and expenditure of five years time,
and more than $20,000 in money, establi.shed the nucleus of the
present American settlement in these regions, I ask the American
government to place ray ititerests in that coiuitry on as favorable
a basis, as the treaty of boundary places those of British subjects
whose pos[s]es.sions are of the same character. The recommendation
of the President would benefit only actual settlers, and would en-
tirely exclude me. It seems to me a law might be passed consist-
ent with justice, granting a preemption to all Americans who have
ever resided in Oregon, and who occupied land there, and con-
tinued to hold the san*^ either directly or by agents or tenants, to

*^,"*'

.o^-'.^^

IMAGE EVALUATION
TEST TARGET (MT-3)

1.0

1.1

>tt iiii ■2.2
£ l^o 12.0

Kisi

Photographic

Sderices

Corporation

<'^^

'^A>* °

33 WBT MAIN STRUT

WIUTn,N.Y. USSO

(716)t72-4S03

'^<^^
^

«S4

I.ICTTICR

[VI

the absolute extent of the property SO occupied, as it was at the
period of the organization of the provisional government of Oregon.
And to all Americans actual settlers, occupying lands after the or-
ganization of said provisional government, and until the extension
of the laws of the U. S. over th;; territory, a preemption to all the
lands so occupied not exceeding one square mile.

I do not believe a law mainly such as proposed alx)ve would
benefit a single American except myself. I do not know one other
who has occupied more than a mile square, while there are sev-
eral British subjects who have done so, and whose claims are all
secured by the treaty whether large or small. And unless some
such law is passed it appears to me that I am to l^e stripped of all
my rights, and that the great sacrifices I have made will inure to
the the benefit of all concerned except myself. That you may bet-
ter understand wh\ I desire some protection Irom the government
I herewithsenda statement of facts No. i, and a petition to Congress
No 2. I remain Verv Respectfully

Yr* obt Svt.

Xathl J. Wyelh.

To Hon. J. G. Palfrey, M. C.

(Statement of facts No. i)

On the loth day of March 1832 I left Boston in a vessel with 20
men for Baltimore where I was joined by four more, and on the
27th left by Rail Road for Frederic Md from thence to Brownsville
v.e marched en foot, and took passage from that place to Liberty
Mo. on various steamboats, which place we left for the prairies on
the 1 2th of May with 21 men, three having d'^serted, and on the
27th of May three more deserted. On the 8th of July we reached
Pierre's Hole at the head of Lewis River where was then a rendez-
vous of Trappers and Indians. We remained at this place until
the 17th at which time my party had been reduced by desertion
and dismissial to 1 1 men, and the;i started for the Columbia arriv-
ing at Cape Disappointment 01 the 8th Nov. 1832, one man
having died on the route. There I learned that a vessel on
which I relied for supplies had been wrecked at the Society Is-
lands. This intelligence discouraged the party so much that all
but two requested a discharge. Of the 8 who then left me 5 re-
turned to the U. S. by sea, one died there in 1834 and two re-
mained as settlers. In the Spring of 1833 1 commenced my return
to the states with the two remaining men. When I reached the
mouth of the Yellowstone one left me to remain with some of the
trappers until I should return. With the other I reached the
States, and soon after fitted out a vessel for the Columbia, and on
the 7th Feb. 1834 left Boston for St. I,ouis where I organised a
party of 70 men for the overland trip arriving at the head waters

3 'a]

AND ST A TK. Ml-: NT

aS5

of the Snake or Lewis river in July 1834, and on Ihe 15th of that
month commenced to hnild Kort Hall, and after placing it in a
defensive condition left it on the 7th August follo\vi:ij^ for the
mouth of the Columbia. On the 15th of Sept. I reached Oak
Point 75 miles from its mouth where I met my vessel just arrived
after a voyage of 8 )<j months, having; been struck by lightening
at sea and so injured as to be oblij^ed to go into Valparaiso to re-
pair. This vessel was fitted for th^ salmon fishing of that season.
Her late arrival caused me to detain her until the following year.
During the winter of 1835 this ver^elweut to the Sandwich Islands
with timber & card returned in the Fpring with cat lie sheep goats &
hogs which were placed on Wappatoo Island where in the mean
time I had built an estaL.ishment called Fort William 011 the south-
westerly side of the island and about 8 miles from the H. B. Go's
post of V^ancouver. At this post we grazed all the animals ob-
tained from the Islands California and from the Indians, planted
wheat corn potatoes peas l)eans turnips, grafted & planted ap-
ples and other fruits, l)uilt dwelling house a^id shops for working
ii. ,1 and wood, and in fact m?de a permanent location which has
never been abandoned. I made this my personal residence dur-
ing the Winter and Summer of 1835. In the autumn of that
year I proceeded to Fart Hall with supplies, having sent some
previous to that time. During the winter of 1836 I resided at
tny post of Fort Hall, and in the Spring of that year returned to
Fort William of Wappatoo Island whence I carried more sup-
plies to Fort Hall arrivitig there the i8th June, and on the 25th
left lor the U. S. by way of Taos and the Arkansas river and ar-
rived home early in the Autumn of 1836, The commercial dis-
tress of that time precluded the further prosecution of our enter-
prise, that so far had yielded little 'out misfortunes. It remained
only to close the active business which was done by paying every
debt, and returning every man who desired, to the place whence
he was taken, and disposing of the property to the best advantage.
All the property in the interior including Fort Hall '.»'as sold, it
being necessary in order to retain that post, to keep up a garrison
for its defense against the Indians, and to forward animal supplies
to it, an operation at that time beyond our means. Fort William
at Wappatoo Island requiring nothing of that kind was retained,
and the gentleman then in charge Mr C. M. Walker was directed
to lease it to some trusty person for 15 years unless sooner reclaim-
ed. Nothing having been heard from Mr Walker for a lotig time
I sent a request to John McLaughlin Esq. for the same purpose
and also to have th« island entered in my name at the land office
established by the tjrovi.sional government. That the original en-
terprise contemplated a permanent occupation is clearly shown by
the instiuctions to the master of the brig Capt Lambert When I
arrived on the lower Columbia in the Autumn of 1832 as her[e]in
before stated there were no Americans there nor any one having

256

l.ETTKR

l3«3

an American leeling. So far as I know there had not beeji since
Mr. Astor retired from the coasl\. Of the 1 1 men which I had
then with me three remained until I again arrived in the Autumn
of 1834 and 19 of those who ihen accompanied me including the
missionaries remained permanently in the countrj'.

NathlJ. Wyeth

1313

not been since
which I had

in the Autumn
including the

yeth

INDEX.

Abbot, Wiggin, letter to him as an em-
ployee of the author, 7o;93: placed
in charge of animals purchased for
second expedition, 98; letter to
containing terms of contract with
author, 99; 130, 131, 178, 183-4

Allison and Anderson, lettei to giving
directions for shipment of goods
purchased at Louisville, lai

American Fur Company (Dripps and
Fontenelle) 69, 74, 158, 159. 204-5.
210-8

Ashley, William H., 38, account of his
earlier operations as a fur-trader.
73-4

Attack, Indians, 158, 159-60

Bache, Theo., letter to, in which plan
of first expedition is given in
fullest detail 20-21; Leonard Wyeth
instructed to write to him, 46; let-
ter to rontaini'jg instructions for
joining the expedition, 46-7

Baker, J. and Son, 38; arrangement to
send g^oods home in their vessels,
48;their vessel, the Sultana, bound
to the Columbia, 56; letter to des-
cribing conditions of Salmon trade
in the Columbia and giving list of
British posts. 6o-i; letter to with
information about commercial op-
peratioiis by the English on the
North Pacinc coast, 80; letter to
containing statistics on the fur-
trader at St. Louis, 84

Ball, John, letter to giving information
about joining the first expedition
36-7; for meeting the expedition
at Baltimore, 47; about trunks and
letters forwarded from Boston to
him at Vancouver, 68; letters by
90; communication with, 115

Baptiste, 59, 128, 136, 218-9

Bell, letters of 80-1; analysis of letters

written to S. K. Livermore, 85-0

Bemte, Jas., 177-8

Blackfeet Indians, 190-202

Black Hills, 156-7

Boardman, William H., 38: letter to
containing list of English posts
and vessels, 61; letter to forward-
ing letters from Capt. McNeil, 73;
letter to containing report of the
commerical operations of the Eng-
lish on the north Pacific coast, 80

Bonneville, letter to containing propo-
sition for mutual hunt, 58-60; the
proposed hunt, 65; his operations
as a fnr-trader, 69-70; his opera-
tions, 73-4; letter to making ar-
rangements to meet Indians in
trade, 141-2, 202-5, 225-6, 231

Bradenbur|fh[?J, Jno., letter to about
goods in transit at Balti:nore, 116;
letter to giving directions for for-
warding letters, 120
Bridger, 74

Brown, James, proposed business rela-
tions with, 47; letter to arranging
for funds. 50; letter to with same
purpose, 123; a letter of friendship
mainly, 136; letter to giving sum-
mar;- of state of affairs at its date,
144; a letter of friendship, 150-1
British Posts, (see English posts and

vessels)
Bugles, 25, 31

W. and Co., (Ken) 120,

Can, A. & G.

124

Cass, Lewis, 17; letter to asking what as-
surance can be given to gentlemen
and servants of Hudson's Bay Co.
in making a settlement on the Wil-
lamette River, 92-3
Cerri (Cerry), 68, 73, 200
"Chimney or Eik Brick," 155,223
Clark's river (Flathead), 189-95
Colon Jzp.tion Society, i, 3, 5, 6, 8, 9,

258

INDEX

[315

II, 12, 17-18

Columbia, 150, 173-6
Colorado, 157-9

Contract, failure to fulfil, 134-5
Cripps, George, letter to in reply
proposal to join ecpedition, 27

' I

Dana, Samuel L.. letter of thanks to
for review of Jno. Wyeth's book,
104

Davenport and Byron, letter to plac-
ing onler for traps, 39-40; letter to
concerning financial transaction,
41; letter to placing an order for
goods for Indian trade, 42; letters
relating to settlement of trans-
actions, 45

Desertions. 157

Devin, David, used as a reference, 15

Distances, table of, 219

Douglas, David, 180-1

English occupation of the Pacific-
Northwest, 78
English posts and vessels, 61, 80
Ermatinger, (Hermatinger) Francis. 56
letter to describing conditions at
rendezvous on Green River in
i833,*69, 79; letter of friendship

to, i4o-'i »8o-'. 200

Expedition8,iFirst, statements regard-
ing, 2;inquirie8 regarding, 3; inde-
pendent expedition resolved upon
and plan explained, 4*. plan ex-
plained to Charles VVyeth, 6-8; ex-
plained^to Leonard Wyeth, 9-10

Everett, Hon, Edward, letter to offer-
ing services in obtaining informa-
tion for government— proposed ex-
pedition also explained, 12-13; let-
ter to having reference to matter
broached in former letter,* con-
taining inquiry about license
needed for the expedition, also
some comment on the accompany-
ing petition from the colonization
society, 17-18

Farm, 144. HS

Fenno, James W., letter to reporting
conditions confronting the author
in the Rockv mountains, second
expedition, 133-4; letter to giving
some details in progress of expe<li-
tion and referring to matters of
mutual interest, 143 4

Fitzpatr.c, Thomas (Pitzpatric, Sublet-
te .ind Bridger) (Pitzpatric and
Co.), 74; letter to announcing ap-
proach tp rendezvous with goods
according to contract and submit-
ting proposition for additional
transactions, 132-3; transactions
arising out of previous contract,
138-9, 140 (See also Rocky Moun-
tain Pur Co.)

Pinlayson (Finlinson), Duncan, 79,180

Flathead Indians, 191-4

Fort, 134, IJ5. 137. Ua, I44. I45. 146,

147
Fort Hall, 227, See Port

Port of Vancouver, 176-7
Frapp, See Rocky Mountain Fur

Company
Fur, collections made by different

companies, 69-70

Gant and Blackwell, 156

Gardner, Robt. H., better to contain-
ing inquiries for information need-
ed in carrying on the salmon in-
dustry, 29: letter to returning
thanks for information received
and containing further inquiries,

34
Grant & Stone, 114, 121, 123*4, notice

of draft on, 129, 130
Great Salt Lake, 8, 144, 162

Hall, Henrv (See Tucker & Williams
& Half).

Hallet, letter to pertaining to authen-
ticity of statement* in communica-
tion to Hallet's paper, 104-5

Hamilton, Samuel S., letter to con-
taining inquiries concerning laws
regulating Indian trade, 6

Harrison, Gen'l., letter to enclosing
note which a son of Gen'l H. had
entrusted to Wyeth, 72

Harrison, Doct., 106, 130

Hermatinger, P., (See Ermatinger)

Heron, James, (Herron) (Horon) 56,

79
Hughs, I. P., letter to outlining plan
of expedition, emphasizing wri-
ter's personal interests at stake, 26-

7
Hudson's Bay Company, 53, 56, 55,63;
negotiations with them through
Leonard Jarvis, 67; proposed con-
tract with, 72, 77-8, 92-3, 125, 163,
176-7

[315

patric, Sublet-
Pitipatric and
[inouncing ap-
is with goods
ctand submit-
or additional
transactions
rious contract,
Rocky Moun-

Duncan, 74,180

144, 145, 146,

See Fort

Mountain Fur

by different

;er to contain-
Formation need-
:he salmon in-
' to returning
lation received
rther inquiries,

I, 123-4, notice

, 162

:er & Williams

ling to authen-
lincommunica-
>er, 104-5

letter to con-
onceming laws
trade, 6
r to enclosing

fGen'lH. bad
72

Srmatinger)
) (Horon) 56,

outlining plan
phasizing wri-
ests at stake, 26-

y, 53. 56, 55,63;

them through
proposed con-
92-3, 125, 163,

3«6]

INDEX

a59

Ice business, 10, 34, 83, loS, iii, ii8,

133. »43. «50
Independence Rock, 157, 224
Indian Ixjys, 59, 105 (See Baptiste)

Jackson, 38, 74

Jarvis, I<eonard, assistance offered by
him to Wyeth, 7. 8, 10; letter to
containing request for assistance
Hud giving considerations affect-
ing the advisability of the enter-
prise undertaken by the author,
31-3; fragment of letter to express-
ing thanks for favors, 52; frag-
ment of letter to outlining plans
for returning. 55; letter to stating
conditions of carrying on fur trade
and requesting that Jarvis conduct
negotiations with the H. B. Co.,
66-7; letter to asking for advice in
the treatment of certain calumnies,
- 8f-2; letter to in which author
vindicates himself against asper-
sions in Bell's letters and John
VVyeth's book, 85-9; letter to re-
porting adverse conditions in his
affairs, 135; letter to in which the
author reviews his situation, 151-2

Jervais, 74

Journal, proposed disposition of 48,

"Kanackas" (Hawaiians), 234, 240,
250

Kansas river, 22

Kelley, Hall J., addressed as general
agent for the Oregon Colonization
Society, 1; petition to congress,
17-8; his means for moving and
likelhood of his going, 30; prolw-
bility of his party startiup, 36; let-
ter to in which Wyeth gives reas-
ons for not going with him, 39;
letter to in which Wyeth declares
his resolution to proceed without
delaying for Kelley's colony, 43;
letter to expressing willingness to
take charge of some emigrants, 50;
letter to indicating disposition
towards colonizing the Columbia
region, 51; 90, 250

Ken (See Can)

Laidlow, 79

l,aml)ett, Capt., 61, 150, 151, 233

Ivanoing, R. K., letter to implying that
he contemplates joining the first
expedition, 45; Leonard Wyeth
instructetl to write to him, 46

Laramie fork, 156, 223

Latitude and longitude, process of cal-
culating, 101-2

Lawrence, Josiah & Co., agent for
Wyeth at Cincinnati. it2, 116, 121

Lee, Jason, letter to giving date of
leaving for St. Louis, 11 1, 128,227,

23'
Livermore, Solmon K., letter to per-
taining to his son's wish to join
the first expedition, 16, 17; letter
to in which the matter of his son's
joining the expedition is discuss-
ed, 25-6; letter to on the right to
trade with Indians in the Oregon
country, 30-1; letter to relative to
history and prospects of tiade in
the Oregon country, 38-9, 80, 81.

85-9. 90
Livermore, Thomas, (See in 'iboveref
ercnces)

McParlan, Leonard Wyeth instructed
to write to him, 46'

McGill, (See Von Phull & McGill)

McKay, 180, 227, 231, 251

McKenzic, 79

McLoughlin, Dr.John, his hospitality
53;letter to expressing obligations
to Ermatinger and offering serv-
ices,68,79, 140, 176-7, 181, 233, 251,

253
. McNeil, Capt., 61

March, E. E., letter to received from
Leonard Wyeth, 46; to »« entrust-
ed with papers, 67
Marshall, Josiah, 38
Men for expedition, 94-5, 103
Men of the first expedition, 178
Metcalf, E. W., letter to. 115, 137
Missioiiari?'s, (See Jason Lee)

Neil, Col. J. W., letter to containing
inquiries regarding the contem-
plated expedition of the Oregon
Colonization Society, 3

News, given to Ermatinger, 69

Noah, Cousin, letter to pertaining to
communication with Ball, 105

Note, protested, 70, 71

Norris &Co., letter to containing in-
quiries for traps, 33

INDKX

[.^17

Vuild, 79

Nuttall, Thomas, letter to Antiounciiig
that a package of plants has been
sent him, 67; letter to apprising
him of Wveth's movements to St.
I^uis 103; letter to concerning
outfit, io6-7, 114. ia6, 137,

(See

Oregon Colonization Society,

Colonization Society )
OutfiU, 13, 17. 2'. 27-«. 33. 4». 59. «9.

94. 95

Pamhrun, 79, 173. 184-5. 23'

Parents, letters to giving resumes of
experiences, 53, 135, 145. !«"««■ to
announcing date o* return. 103 4

Payette, 141. 200

Perkins, 38,

Perry, Rev. Clark, letter to discussing
religious convictions and freedom
of opinion, 43-4; letters to pertain-
ing to calumnies, 80-1, 89-90; bid-
ding goodbye, 104

Petition,to congress by Mr. Kelley and
those who proposed to go in the
first expedition, 17-8

Pickering, Jno., letter to referring to
a point about the language of
Indians, 108

Pilcher, 38

Platte river, 153-4. 222-3

Proposition to Geo. Sini[p]8on. Gov-
ernor of Hudson's Bay Company.
York Factor>', 5S

Ray, 25

Rendezvous, 159

Richardson, note placed for him at the
mouth of a fork of the river Des-
chutes, 147-8, 235, 241, 246, 250

Rockhill, fhomas C, letter to, 93

Rockv Mountain Fur Company (Sub-
lette & Fitzpatric), 72, 74. 77. »56-
7. '59. W.«. 204-5, 225

Routes, inquiries a»)out, from Balti-
more to St. Louis via Pittsburg, 4;
from New York to Pittsburg via
Buffaloeaiid Erie, 5; determina-
tion to go by packet to Baltimore,
10; route contemplated from St.
Louis across the continent, 8; 20

Salmon fisheries. 60-1. 144. MS. '<>8

Samuel, K. M. letters to instructing
him about outfits for second ex-
pedition, 70, 83, 90-1 94-5, 98-9,
too, 102-3, 108, 123, 134, 127, 129,
1 30- 1

Samuel & More (See B. M. Samuel)

Seaton, Alfred, letter to stating terms
at which furs would be transport-
ed from Green River via Columbia
river to Boston, 100, 124

Serrey, (See Cerri)

Simpson, (Sinisun) Geo., letter to
containing proposal to supply
goods,56-8, proposal todeliver furs
to, 72; notice to thckt negotiations
are at an end, 84

Sinclair, John, letter to containing in-
structi;>ns for joining the expedi-
tion at Baltimore, 47

Smith, IraG., 119-20; letters of intro-
duction, 122

Smith, Jedediah, 38, 74, 181

Spokan river, 186-7

Stewart. Capt. William, copies of let-
ters introducing him with letter
enclosing them, 142, 147, 205, 227,
231, 232, 250
Stevens, Capt., 206

Story telling, 170

Sublette, M. G., letter to referring to
H contract, 71-2, 83; letter to per-
taining to meeting in New York,
95; letter to about selection of
goods, 96; letter to giving basis of
proposed business relations, 97-8;
109, 132; letter to complaining of
breach of contract, 140 (See also
Rocky Mountain Fur Co. )

Sublette, 'William L., 69, 70, 71,74,83;
letters to announcing movements,
105-6, 109, no, 115, 116, 213

Sultana, Bg., 56

Thing, Captain Joseph, 106; letter to
containing instructions regarding
business left in his charge, 107;
letter to containing directions
about shipment of rifles and knives
! 13; letters to concerning goods to
be brought on, 113, 114, 115, 116,
117, 121, !22, 232, 235, 251

Toliacco culture, inquiries relating to,
3-4: mull desired competent for
conducting,6; seed ordered put up
for the expedition.and man again
requested, 24

Touro, Judah, letter to requesting that
he get a note discounted, 33-4;

U«7

ers to instructing
ts for second ex-
\, 90-1 94-5. 9**-9-
123, U4. la?. "9.

;c E. M. Samuel)
er to stating terms
/ouUlbe transport-
River via Columbia
1, 100, 134

ison) Geo., letter to
roposal to supply
tposal to deliver furs
o ihni negotiation*

84 ...

ter to containing in-
joining the expedi-

ore, 47 , . ,

.ao; letters of intro-

38. 74. «8i

illiani, copies of let-
ng him with letttr
m, 14a. '47. ao5. 227.

t., 206

letter to referring to
[-2, 83; letter to per-
•eting in New \ork,
L about selection of
iter to giving basis of
liness relations, 97-8;
er to complaininn of
itract, 140 (See also
itain Fur Co.)
11 Lm 69, 70, 7 «. 74.83;
louncing movements,
10,115. "6, 213

oeeph, 106; letter to
nstructions regarding

in his charge, 107;

ontaining directions

ent of rifles and knives

o concerning goods to

|)U, 113, 114. "5. "6,

, 232, 235. 251

inquiries relating to,
esired competent for
6; seed ordered put up
!dition,and man again

;tter to requesting that

lote discounted, 33-4;

318]

INDKX

a6i

note not forwarded, 49

Townsend, 12H, 137

Trumbull, 79

Tucker & Williams (Henry Hall &
Tucker & Williams) (Tucker it
Williams & Henr>- Hall), exami-
nation of accounts with, 47-b; 1ft-
ter to reporting business aspects
of trip out, 54; letter to giving
business outlook, 63; letter to a\>-
prising them of author's arrival,
71; letter to settinf^ forth in detail
history and conditions of fur and
salmon trade, upon which propos-
ed plan of operations is based, 73-
H; letter to containinK propoite«l
form of contract, 8a; letter to con-
cerning items of outfit, 94, 95; let-
ter to regarding acoeptanct- of
traps, 107-8; letter to on matters of
tra|»H and accounts, 108-9; letter
giving notice of draft drawn on
them, 109; letter to enclosing one
from Samuel & More giving view
of state of affairs with them, 1 '
letter to l)earing upon financinl
as])ect8 of business, 1 10- II ;letter to
containing .statement of transjic-
tions, 1 1 1-2; letter to detailing
financial arrangements for expens-
es of expedition, 114; letter to con-
taining statement of transactions,
1 16-7; letter to about Santa Fe
trade, 119-20; letter to on matter
of finances, 121; letter to detailing
transactions since the last, 124-5;
letters to giving statements of
transactions and of newly develop-
ed conditions, 139-32; letter to de-
tailing condition of business af-
fairs up io its date, 138-9

Tudor, Frederic, assistance from, 32;
shipping of ice, 34; his agteement
towards securing cargo and vessel
for Wyeth, 49; present made by to
Wyeth, 49; letter descriptive' of
Oregon country probablv to Tu-
dor, 53; used as a reference, 61;
letter to giving plans after return
from the Oregon country to the
Rocky Mountain region with some
expression of personal feelings, 62-
3; letter to apprisi ng h i ill of Wyeth ' s
arrival in Missouri, 71, 82, 83, 97
108, 1 1 1 ;letter to reviewing outlook,
1 18-9; letter to rejiorting adverse
conditions, 134; letter to giving
report of affairs of business up to
date, 142-3; letter to reporting
prospective failure, 149-50

Vessel, 143, 144, 145

Von Fhi \1) & Mct^il! (Von l'ool)(Mc-
tiil), 67, draft sent to upon Mr.
Cerri, 68; letter to enclosing an-
nouncement to M. G. Sublette, 83,
90; letter to of the nature of an or-
der, 91; statement to 103; no; an-
nounced as Wyeth 'd headquarters
at St. Louis, II I, 122, 123; letter
to making remittances 138; letter
to enclosing remittance, 140

Walla Walla, 171-3, 184-5
Waterhouse, lieiijainin, author of Jno.

Wyeth's book, 104
Wehl, "letter to containing review of

experiences, 148-9
Whiting, Seyniour, letter to in reply

to inquities made with a view of

joining the expedition, details of

t>lan of expedition given, 29-30;
etter to in which proimsition for
joining is declinecl for want of
means, 42-3

Wife, letters to, 1 17-8, 128, 135, 144;
letter to announcing disasters and
date of return, 154

Wild (Wildes). Captain Dixie, letter
to submitting terms for having a
vessel dispatched to Oregon, 14-5;
letter to discussing items of pro-
]X)sition for furnishing vessel for
the expedition, 20-24, 38

Willamette river and valley, 178-9

Woodman, 178, 183, 191

Worthington, Jas., letter to making
an offier to furnish goods for fur
trade, 91

Wyeth, Charles, letter to containing
statement of original plan, i; let-
ter to requesting information
about tolMCCu culture and giving
statement of revised plans, 3-4;
letter to giving first details con-
cerning proposed independent ex-
])edition, 6-8; letter to referring to
details of financial relations be-
tween him and writer and to pro-
gress of negotiations for vessel, 15-
6; letter to relating to plans for
fitting out at St. Louis, 24; letter
to requesting aid in making new
arrangements for a vessel, 28-9; let-
ter to relating to assistance need-
ed to secure an arrangement for a
vessel and cargo, 34-6; note not
forwardeil, 49; letter to advising

263

INDEX

[319

of prupuaed draft, 50; letter con-
cerning a letter of credit, 51; let-
ter to descriptive of writer's con-
dition at Vancouver, 55; letter to
referring to periional situation and
matters of business, 65-6; letter to
announcing completion of ar-
rangements for second expedition,
85; letter to giving stage of pre-
paration for second exjiedition.Qi-
3; letter to concerning finances of
second expedition, 96; letter to
concerning instructions to Abbot,
100; letter to desi(^nating Captain
Thing as second in command of
expedition, 107; letter toannounc-
in^ his coming, 109; letter to de-
tailing propw^d movements, 137;
letter to giving summary of ex-
periences up to date, 146; letter to
announcing failure of salmon fish-
ing.sickness and plans for return,

15^-3

Wyeth, Jacob, \ua brother " athaniel,
applies for a position for him in
the proposed expedition by the
Oregon Colonizition Society, r,
advised regarding the proposed
expedition, 2; plan of independ-
ent expedition submitted to him,
5; letter commenting upon chang-
es in plans of Colonization Society
and explaining arrangements of
the joint stock concern, 11-2; let-
ter to givins summary of previous
letter, 13-4; letter to touching up-
on points of finance, 3i; letter to
apprising him of date of forming
camp and sailing for Baltimore,42;
reference to his turning l)ack, 53;
letter to referring to accounts with
writer, 79; letter to announcing
date of expected arrival at St.
Louis, 1 11; letter to, 135-6, 145;
See also Parents, 145

Wyeth, Jonas, 123

Wyeth, John, 80- r, his Ixwk examined,

85-9
Wyeth, Leonard, letter to containing
inquiries concerning route from
New York to Pittsburg via Buffalo
and Erie, 5;letter to giving chang-
es in plans of Colonization Society
that are unsatisfactory to writer
and statement of his revised plans,
9-10; letter to requestiiig names
and addresses of persons living in
St. Louis, also referring to situa-
tion lis to funds and vessels need-
ed, 18; letter to referring to same

matters and aid proffered l>y oth-
ers, 19; letter to referring traps
and guns desired, and goods needl-
ed for Indian trade, also to new
conditions for securing vessel, 27-
8; letter to reganliiig pledge to se-
cure vessel and cargo to meet first
expedition, 37-8; letter to relating
to agreement with Hall, Williams
& Tucker, 41; financial matters,
45; letter to enclosing copy of
agreen,eiit with Tucker, Williams
& Hall and requesting that it lye
endorsed with guarantee and for-
warded to Charles Wyeth, 46; let-
ter to referring to men for the ex-
pedition that were being engage<l
by Leonard Wyeth, 46; letter to
arranging for funds, 51; letter to
recounting experiences on trip
out and giving plans for return,
54; letter to giving plans, also re-
ferences to characteristics of west-
ern aiisociates, 64-5; letters to, 73-
3. 7S1 S3; letter to pertaining to
transactions of Abbot, 93-4; letter
to pertaining to M. CV. Sublette's
business at New York, 96; letter
to pertaining to relations with
Sublettes, 103; letter to introduc-
ing E. M. Sainuc!, 1 13; letter to
introducing Col. Geo. W. Jones,
127; letter to det tiling pioposed
movements, 137-8; letter to giving
summary of expc-riences up to its
date, 145-6; letter to announcing
failure of salmon fishing, and re-
porting sickness and plans for re-
turn, 153
Wyeth, Nathaniel, his estimate of the
nature of his undertaking, 49;per-
.sonal feelings expressed to Fred-
eric Tu<lor, 62-3; physical and
mental condition, 64. 65, 91-2,138,
'36, 243; claim, 253-4; his state-
ment of facts, 254-6

Young, 250

ill '

I >

[319

proffere*! by otl«-
o referrliiK tr«p«
1, and goodgnee<l-
rtde, nlHO to new
^curing vewel, 27-
-ding pletlge to §e-
cargo to meet first
; letter to relating
Ith Hall, Williams
financial matterB,
nclosing copy of
Tucker, Williams
uesting that it Ire
guarantee and for-
Ics Wyeth, 46; let-
to me'n for the ex-
ere being engaged
^eth, 46; letter to
unds, 5«; letter to
periences on trip

plans for return,
'ing plana, also re-
racteristics of we st-
64-5; letters to, 72-
r to pertaining to
Abbot, 93-4; letter
M. IV. Sublette's
w YoTk, 96; letter
to relations with

letter to introduc-
lucl, 113; letter to
jI, Geo. W. Jones,
detiiling pioposed
17-8; letter to giving
icpcr'.ences up to its
tter to announcing
ion fishing, and re-
;ss and plans for re-

, his estimate of the
undertaking, 49".per-
expressed to Fred-
62-3; physical and
ion, 64. 65, 91-2,128,
m, 253-4; his state-
, 254-6

i »

( I

f !

;

^ y*frc<i^Yv~T^

lpBliliqpi..uuu u~JiMmmmmmni.m>!-iiutJM.fmmiim

, ;?

WvjxVWS tttr^vn FOULL

ir=l'T5^:^^

T-nrwfim^, " I ■■' •» "

TTT^^v

>,.

The Oregon Historical Society

Through the wise and beneficent action of the twentieth
I«egialative Assembly of Oregon in providing financial support for
the newly organized Oregon Historical Society the v'ork of col-
lecting and preserving the sources of the history of Oregon and of
cultivating tiie historical spirit among its people was placed in
position to be vigorously prosecuted. The appropriation made by
the Iq^lature is being supplemented by the membership fees from
representative citizens of the state.

The collections of manuscripts and all other sources of histori-
cal evidence that are being secured from day to day are deposited
in some rooms of the City Hall of Portland. This dispositor}' was
courteously placed at the disposal of the society by the officials
of that city.

The society is the direct outcome of work begun in a tenta-
tive and humblest way by the department of economics and his-
tor}' of the State University. It has not yet become possible to
broaden the scope of the Society's efforts so as to include all the
lines essential to the normal functions of a state historical society.
The Sr*ciety, however, is growing rapidly. With the measure of
support from its natural patrons that confidence in it should elicit it
will become equal to the opportunities lying within its magnificent
field— the lives and achievements of the makers of Oregon.

ORBQON HISTORICAL SOCIBYY.

K. W. acoTT, FreiUeni, Pdrtland

C. B. BsuiHomt, VUt-Presideni, FOftluid

I«. B. 06ii, TVuMtrer, BDrtkMid

9. vQ. Yaimo, Sea^imy, Bogeat

090. B, JHnoM, Aitisftmi'SeereUify, Vmmad

^iS*«^*iCS4S* AU«4' '^Afe

<■ ..

rUftoa

rfliiid