The Shasta courier., 1855-10-13
letter from Baron Vieux.

The following letter from friend Baron
Vieux," who accompanied Lieut.. Williamson
on his exploring expedition from Fort Reading
TO the Columbia River. is the first word that we
have heard of him since his departure. We are
gad to hear of his complete restoration to health.
His capaciiy for storage of all manner of pro-
visions is said to be huge. He is said to be es-
pecially" great" on pork, slapjacks and beans:-
ASTORIA, Oregon T., Sept. "a, 1855
Since my last, dated Red Bluffs, the head of
na"ig cation on the Sacramento have made my
way by muleback to the "Dales," and a few
days since was set down here by steamboat,
where l am exploring the woods, studying
" chinook and awaiting the arrival Of my bag
gage, Consisting of pair of boots. fine tooth
comb and two shirts, tied up in -four sack, }
which is up the river weather-bound on board
of bark.
A rare old time we had of it crossing noun
talns, rafting and ioarding streams. following
Indian trails through prairies, deserts and cam
ons and living high ON slnp,jacks md pork !;
however, it makes one stout and gives n
appetite anaconda might be proud of.
The "Dalles." where we first signs of
settlements, is en- awkward struggling place on
the south bank Of the Columbia River, so miles
above "ihe Cascades" consisting of about &C
houses bnit rocky, billy ground and sur
rounded by high, bald, rolling hills, on which
grow few bushes and less timber. The bar
racks are three -fourths of mile from town and
at present are stationed here about $50 troops
under command of Major Haller. who on the
l2h returned troU q visit to the Snake Indians
The Ponderay mines about 800 miles from the
Dalles.' and 60 from Colville, have created
much excitement in these parts. Many who
started for them have returned account OF
the Indiuns. Some have mined at the mouth ot
IL - LIT E,,t
up sirerm there is plenty of gnld. l have this
fro,n the best of authority. | have $50
III the hands of one party, who told me thatthey
mined but few days and had found gold in
many places they prnspected. The reason of
their return their inability TO raise party
large enough 10 proleci themselves shonld the In
dans show fight; neither had they enough pro-
visions to last all winter. The right sort Of
parties did not start The country is wild, but
htIle is known of it and they did not like the
prospect Of living until spring in climate SO
cold aud where so much snow falls. A few boys
from Ireka up there, and will winter at the
mines, in the vicinity of Fort Colyile or the
French settlement.
There is plenty OF gold diggings there, rich
no doubt, as were ever siruC IN Caliioruia; but
it wants i3en who viii slick toseiher 30 take ii
out who go prepared to do or break trace.
Twenty or thirty men need not fear all the ln-
diaus who will dare come at 'em with theis
slIarr sticks. One miner told lie found the
color in hills all aboni at ilie mouth Of the river
where most OF the parties went. Reports aboui
the g Dalles. al Portland and at this place, are
not favorable. from the fact that so few really
got to the mines at al. having been discouraged
from going by miners they met returning.
There is from 300 to 400 miles OF roue eli cnun
try TO travel over, and men who not PR p ar
ed to pull together and have also supply OF
provisions. are likely to turn back nnd wait nn-
iii some determined parties lead off. and send
back word they are alive and hearty andhase
struck pile"
Next spring. from March TO june. yon will
hear of crowds of for Ponderay, and notwltb
standing all rumors you may hear in the ine-
rior. do not put il among the Kern River Dig
glngs' until that time. You can get from Yreka
to the % Dalles" through settlements with good
roads, and houses to put npat not the route we
came, mind you and provisions can be had al
Portland or The s. Dalles,' at lower prices than
at Shasta.
From the /" Dalles." by steamer. we arrived
at the Cascades same dny, remained there
| over night. took another stunler and arrived al
Fort Van Conver next day at i. NJ, and even
tually reached this place where we must re-
main until The wind changes AID our gallant
bark can get 10 sea.
Very truly,