, 1853-06-04
Extracts from Wilkes Exploring
Expedition.

The morning proved beautiful, and one
Of the finest days succeeded that ever re-
member 10 have seen. Our route lay ihro'
alternate woods and praiIies, the former
composed of large pines and cedars. Sew
eral considerable streams Of water were
passed, whose banks were not so high as
those before met with the latter covered
with strawberries, so tempting as to induce
US TO dsmount and feast upon them, and
many plants that excited feeling of inter
est, and reminded US of home among the
number was the red honeysuckle (Caprifo-
lium), which was in full bloom. Afler
passing extensive cammass plains, we reach
ed the Company's farm on the Cowlitz,
which occupies an extensive prairie on the
banks of that river.
They have here six or seven hundred
acres enclosed, and under cultivation, with
several large granares, large farm house,
and numerous out-buildings to accommo,
date the dairy, workmen, cattle, sc. The
grounds appear well prepared, and were
covered with a luxuriant crop of wheat.
al the father end Of the prairie was to be
seen settlement, with its orchards, &c,
and between the trees, the chapel and par
sonage of the Catholic Mission gave an air
Of civilization to the whole The degree of
progress resembled that Of a settlement Of
several years. standing in our Western
States, with the exception, however, of the
remains Of the conquered forest for here
the ground is ready forahe plough, and ma
ture seems as it were 10 invite the husband
man 10 his labors.
We were kindly received by Mr.. Forrest,
The superintendent, who quickly made ar .
rangements for canoes 10 carry us down the
CoWlitz and Columbia river to Astoria, or
Fort George. He also provided US with an
excellent repasi, and pressed us to remain
over night, which we would have gladly
done, had not found that it would be i'm
possible for US TO reach Astoria the next day
il we did so.
At this farm the Company have a large
dairy, and are about erecting a saw and grist
mill The uperntendant's dwelling is
large, and built of well-hcwn. logs with
the wOrkmen's houses, &c, it forms quite a
village.
Large numbers Of cattle were brought in
Tor the night, which is a very necessary
Precauiion in Oregon, in consequence of the
numerous wolves that are prowling about
IN some places it becomes necessary for the
Keeper TO protect his beasts even in the
daytime. The cattle, at times, suffer from
Drought, in which case the Indians are sent
across the river 10 cut fodder for them, in
order TO avoid sending the cattle TO the CAM
mass plains, where they would be subj ct tc
The loss of all their Young.
The farm at the Cowlitz has no sort o.
Geiences about it, proving, as far as the In.
uans are concerned, that there is no danger
Of being molested: indeed their numbcr'
mere are too small to enable them to attempt
any aggression, and their dependence on the
company, for both food and clothing, toe
complete to allow them 10 quarrel, except
among themselves and Of such dispute,
'he agent Of the Company takes no sort o.
hoIlcc. The Indians belong to the Klacka.
tacE Irlbc, though they have obtained IN,
general name of ,hc Cowiiz Indians. Ir
'I'w YEAR th'y will have passed 7vav m,