, 1853-06-11
Extracts from wilkes Exploring
Expedition. a.
Continued

= This acquisition released nc from much
snEiSy, by providing accommodations for
the crew Of the Peacock, aud at the same
time afording a suitable vessel to continue
the operations Of the squadron. Captain
Hudson took charge Of the Oregon, and the
alterations necessary to adapt her for this
service were at once commenced. After
making these arrangements, DR.. Mclaughlin
departed for Vancouver. He gave a pas
sage to Messrs Hale and Dana, Messrs
Pesle and Rich having previously gone up
the river. These gentlemen had already
visited the country around the mouth of the
Columbia, every opportunity having been
Afforded them by Captain Hudson. Seve-
al of the officers visited the mountain
nnges, but did not succeed in ascending the
highest peaks.
During the occupation of Astoria by the
Expedition, the place became quite ciVili-
Eed-loOking, in comparison to what it was
on my first arrival, and mart for all the
commodities Of the country. Besides our
own men, there were many Indians TO be
seen lounging and moving about seeking
employment, or with some small articles to
Rll.
Short excursions were made by many Of
u in the vicinity, and one Of these was 10
visit the primeval forest Of pines in the rear
Of Astoria, a sight well worth seeing. Thr
soil on which this timber grows is rich and
fertile, but the obstacles to the agriculturist
are almost inSuperable. We measured one
Of the largest, which was thirty nine feet
ax inches in circumference, eight feet above
the ground, and had bark eleven inches
thick. The height could not be ascertain
ed, but il was thought 10 be upwards OF two
hundred and fifty feet, and the tree was
perfectly straight.
II was the season Of tho fishery when the
PeacOOk was wrecked, and the Kilamukes,
ChisoPs, and Chinooks, were collected in
the neighborhood. Many Of these came
with their families, and took up their abolo
near Astoria for it costs them but little
trouble 10 move ell their worldly goods
They generally had for sale salmon, veni
con, sturgeon, moccasins, and mats.
When the crew first landed, eight or ten
salmon might be bought for cotton shirt,
Of its value in red or green baize but the
Indians soon found that higher prices might
b Obtained for asking, and before our de-
Parture from the Columbia river, the price
was enhanced one-half.
At Astoria we saw one day, when there
Ws quite crowd of Indians al the encamp
ment, several squaws all dressed in their
best attire. These were all more than
Usually attentive to their personal appear
anee. The principal among them was a
widow, whose time Of mourning for the
death Of her husband had just expired. Hrr
object was 10 notify her friends that she
wa ready 10 receive the addresses Of any
one who was in want of a wife. To give
such notification was, as found on inquiry
acommon custom among the Chinooks.
The widow was Of masculine make, anC
what we would call buxom dame. She
vas attended by seven others, of small stat.
ure in comparison, who were her maids
and oil evidently accompanied her to dc
honor 10 the occasion. Every half houl
'hsy would arrange themselves in a row
and the widow at their head, affecting