, 1853-06-11

month OF June. The stream was confined
within its narrowesl limits, and was nine,
teen feet below high-watcr marx.
The Indians were now encampcd on the
strands, over which the volume Of water
lad rushed, in its swollen state, with ire
sistible force. Vancouver exhibited the as
Pect Of an extensive farming establishment,
with It's well-stored granaries, stacks Of
grain, &c. All showed tha, the crops had
been plentiful, and gave ample proof Of the
industry aud succcrss of agriculture.
Soon after the wreck of the Peacock,
Captain Hudson, hearing that DR.. M'lAugh-
lin was in want Of hands 10 aid him in the
harvest, despatched the Kanakas belonging
TO the Peacock up 10 Vancouver, 10 assist
in gathering it. It afforded me some pleas
ure to contribute this aid, and thus in some
small degree to repay the attentions and
kindness of the CompanyI officers.
While at Vancouver, my time was taken
up by the astronomic and magnetic obserya-
tons The former gave its position in Ion.
gitude l22 deg. 80 min. 34-6 sec. W., and
latitude 40 deg. 36 min. SO sec. N
Having understood from the egentlemen at
Vancouver, that both Mr.. David Douglass
and Captain Belcher had found some discre-
pancies in their magnetic observations,
which we're quite unaccountable and as
they had experimental within the fort, Il
determined 10 make mine in my tent, on
the banks Of the river, where no apparent
local attraction existed. There were, not
withstanding, some irregularities which !
could not account for.
While was thus engaged, Captain Hud-
son carried on the repairs Of the Oregon
with great rapidlty. The articles necessary
for this purpose which we ourselves were
not able TO supply, were cheerfully furnish
ed US, at reasonable prices, from the stores
and workshops Of the Company. Indeed,
nothing could exceed the kind attentions
that We're layshed upon US; and the mo-
ment we expressed desire, il was immcdi-
aiely complied with.
On the lst Of September, Passed Md
shpmcn Ed and ColvocoressiS, with Mr..
Breckenridge and party, arrived. Orders
we're Immediately given for them 10 join Ii.
Emmons's party, on the Willamette and
they were finally despatched on the tour
through TO California.
Il will be remembered that Passed Mid
shipmon Ed and Colvocoressis were ordered
10 make journey through the Chickeeies
country, 10 Gray's Harbor, just as the ship
was getting under way from Nisqually, and
and that circumstances rendered their de-
parture more hurried than il was desirable
it should be- Blu, through the kindness Of
Mr.. Anderson and Captains M'Niel and
Scarborough, the party was not left in want
of any thing very material.
They left Nisqually on the 10th Of July,
and proceeded towards one Of the southwest
arms of Puget Sound, (of which we had but
a few days before finished the survey in
two canoes, that had been purchased. They
were sorry craft, but better could not be
procured, and Mr.. Ed was moi disposed 10
delay on account Of imaginary difficulties.
had told him he might DO absent for
forty days on his own resources, as calcu
lated he would, by the assistance of the ln-
dams, be able to obtain both fish and game.
also enjoined upon him great attention 10
economy in the use Of his provisions.
On the same evening, be arrived within
short distance Of tho portage and the
next morning, Mr.. ColvoeoressiS went, with
the sergeant and boy, to an old squaw chief
who had promised, at Nisqually, 10 be their
guide to the Sac6al river, Black river) and
10 furnish horses and men 10 Cross the por-
tage. They returned at an early hour, with
out either horses or Indians, but with the
promise that they should be furnished the
next day. The next morning they found
that the chief had arrived, with FIVE horses
and number of Indians, and was ready to
transport the baggage. Some time howev-
Sr, elapsed before an arrangement could be
made for the large canoe, which was thought
10 be TOO heavy 10 transport; but this was
finally settled BY the same parsonage offer
ing another in lieu Of il, which, though of
smaller dimensions, was accepted. Ten In
dams were furnished TO transport it and the
rest of the articles, and they were soon in
condition to move. This despatch was prin-
cipally owing to the directions and manage
mrnt of the squaw chief, who seemed TO
exercise more authority than any that had
been met with indeed, her whole character
and conduct placed her much above those
around her. Her horses were remarkably
fine animals; her dress was neat, and her
whole establishment bore the indications Of
Indian opulence Although her husband
was present, he seemed under such good
discipline, as to warrant the belief that the
wife was The ruling power, or, to express 1t
in more homely language, 4" wore the
breechcs."
The portage was easily accomplished il
passes through forest Of lofty spruce and
maple trees, with an underground OF COM
mon hazel and spir9a It's length was four
miles. The soil was composed Of a shallow
black, sandy, vegetable earth.
To be CcniipVed.J