, 1853-06-04

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spring and fall, that tn river can be used
for blating, at which time tn, supplies from
Vancouver are sent, and tn grain, SC, re-
turned, in large fiat barg s. The soil along
the river appears to be Of 4 good quality, a
claycy loan with vegetable mould, over
trap 70 * and sandstone The prevalent
trees were poplars, soft naples, ash, fir, pine
and cedar, with some laurel, where the
prairies are 50 low as to be flooded in the
month Of May.
/ On this river it was reported that coal Of
a good quality existed, but | examined all
the places that indicated it, and only found
| Ignite This exists in several places, but
the largest quantity lies above the East
/ Fork several specimens Of it were obtained.
In the month Of September following,
examined the Cowlitz, and found it cxhb
ting a very different character. 4 few
miles above is mouth there was not water
enough to float even boat, and it was be-
sides filled with rapids 1t is not navigablc
/ for bargeS more than three months in the
year. The distance we passed down the
Cowltz did not exceed twenty-six miles,
although we had been told that It was more
than forty.
The route by the way Of the CowliIz
will in all probability lie that which will
hereafter be pursuedto the northern waters
and sounds. Although there are many diff
cullies in crossing the rivers, &C, yet it is
believed 10 be the most feasible course.
On our way we met with many canoes
passing up, loaded with salmon and trout,
which had been taken at the Willamette
Falls, and which they were then carrying
10 trade with the Indians for cammass-root.
We obtained some Of the fish as a supply
| for our Indians.
On entering the Columbia our Indians re
quired some rest, and said they were hun
CRY; we therefore concluded to stop for q
short time on its banks If were to Judge
Of the whole Cowltz tribe from the spcci-
mems we had with us, ! should say they
were the merriest set of fellows ever saw,
full of fun, and laughing all day long | be-
came at last wcaried with their incessant
gaiety.
The Columbia, where the Cowlitz joins
1t, is broad flowing stream, and was at
this time much swollen. We had, after en-
tcring it, about forty miles yet to make, and
it was past noon but we glided brskly on
with the current, although it was by no
means 50 rapid as had expected 10 have
found it. Near the mouth Of the Cowlitz
is high conical hill, which has received
the name Of Mount Coffin, from lis having
been burial place of the Indians and tho
remains of many Of their collins were still
TO be seen scattered over il. On the onpo-
site side Of the river is high barrier of
trap rocks, covered with majestic pines.
About ten miles lower down, we passed
Oak Point, where the river turns nearly at
right angles, taking its course along a bar
rier Of trap rocks, which it here meets on
its west side, and which ris,s eight hundred
feet perpondicularly above its surface. On !
the other side of the river is one of the re-
markable prairies of the country, covered
with tall waying grass, and studded with
many oaks, from which the point takes its
name. What adds additional interest and
beauty to the scene is Mount St. Helcn's,
which may be seen from the sea when
eighty miles distant; its height made nine
thousand five hundred and fifty feet
BY sunset We reached Termination Is
land, and had yet twenty miles to make in
very dark night. We had already passed
the only place where we could have en-
camped, and the natives showed extreme
reluctance TO 60 on. They soon desired to
return saying that the night was very
dark, and that the bay would be dangerous.
This request was ovcrrulcd however, and
we continued our course, though under ap.
prehenslon Of disaster. The Indians said
that many canoes had been lost, and after II
became acquainted with this part of the
river, ] no longer wondered at their oLicc-
tlons TO pass over it at night for if there is
any wind becomes exceedingly rough, and
dangerous for th-ir canoes.
We found the water quite smooth, and
glIded on hour after hour without any ap-
pearance OF landing. ] was at loss To
account for The length of our passage, until
found tine tide had been against us. We
at last reached what Plumondon called
Tongue Point, and afterwards kept skirlirc
the shore for so long a time that / lcgan To
have mlsgivings that We should pass Aso-
ria, and began firing muskeis, the usual sign
of an arrival. They were Immediately an
swcred by others just behind us, and the
loud clamor Of about forty yclping dors.--
These sounds, although discordanl, gave us
the delightful assurance that we had reach
edsour destination, and might now make our
escape from The confined and irksome posi-
tion we had been in a whole day. Mr.. Biz
ME, the agent ol the Hudson Bay Company
met US at the landing, with lanterns and ev-
cry assistance, and gave us truly Scotch
welcome. We soon found ourselves in his
quarters, where in short time a fire was
burning brightly, and his hospitable board
spread with good cheer, although it was past
midnight After partaking OF the supper,