, 1853-05-28
Extracts from Wilkes Exploring
Expedition. ~

The other land party consisted Of Messrs.
Drsyton and Waldron of the Vincennes,
myself and two servants. Our intended
route lay across the country to the Columbia
river. First, proposed TO visit Astoria,
then Fort Vancouver, and the Willamette
settlement, and to proceed up the river as
far as Wallawalla. From Astoria pro-
posed to send parties from the Peacock into
the interior, and 10 set on foot the survey Of
the Columbia river, by means of her boats.
The establishment of an observatory also
claimed my attention: a suitable site was
found on the hill, within hail of the ship
Here the instruments and clocks were land
cd, and put up in a small clearing, whence
the trees had been cut in order 10 supply
The steamer with fuel.
All these preparations occupied US until
The 10th, when the brig reported as ready,
and sailed the same day. During the above
interval had the pleasure Of visits from
DR.. Richmond and Mr.. Wilson, of the Meth
Odisi Mission, stationed at this place.
In returning the visits OF Mr.. Anderson
aud Captain M'Niel, / had an opportunity
Of seeing the so called fort. 1t is construct
ed ofpickets, enclosing a space about two
hundred feet square, with four corner bas-
tons. Within this enclosure are the agents.
stores, and about half dozen houses, built
Of logs, and rooted with bark. This fort
was considered quite large when it was first
established, but since il has become an agri-
cultural post as well as trading one it is
found 10 be too small. Its locality is also i'll
chosen, on account ol the difficulty of OBJ
taining water, which has TO be brought from
distance Of nearly a mile. was Informed
that there was now little necessity for any
sort Of protection against the Indians, who
are but few in number, and very peacably
disposed.
Mr.. Anderson and Captain M'Niel both
reside in the fort with their families both
are married 10 half-breeds, and have several
hne children. Afler spending some time ia
conversing about my plans, Mr.. Anderson
was kind enough TO show me his garden
which is in an enclosure just without the
Plckets. Here saw peas foot high, straw.
berries and gooseberries in full bloom, anC
some Of the former nearly ripe, with salal
that had gone 10 seed, three feet high, very
large and thrifty.
Near by were to be seen fine fields Of grain
large barns and sheepfolds, agricultural i'm.
plVmrnts, and workmen with cattle engaged
pthe various employments of husbandry.
also visited DR.. Richmond, who had
been settled here for some months, and oc.
cnPies nice log house, built on the border,
one of the beautiful prairies. Here
iound Mrs Richmond and Mrs Wilson, will
four fine, rosy and fat children, whose ap
Peaaance spoke volumes for the health o
The climate. This mission has but recently
been established so far as respects its pros
Pee's, they are not very fattering. shal
nave occasion hereafter 10 allude to the op
erallons Of the missions, and shall therefor,
,eier any farther remarks at present. Tn,
location Of the mission-house, on the borden
od an extensive and beautiful prairie, cat
scarcely be surpassed, and would be admira
oy adapted for a large settlement, if tn,
soll was in any respect equal to its appear
ance. This is composed Of light brow
earth, intermixcd with a large proportion 0