Chapter V: Part 5

_Ne-ah-keluc_—A large Indian village at Point Adam’s, name
signifying “Place of Okeluc,” or, where the _Okeluc_ is made;
“_Okeluc_” being salmon pemmican.

_E-will-tsil-hulth_—A high sand hill, or broken end of a sea
ridge, facing the sea beach about west of the “Carnahan” place,
meaning steep hill.

_E-wil-nes-culp_—A flat-topped hill against the beach about west
of the “West” place, meaning “Hill cut off.”

_Ne-ah-ko-win_—Village on the beach about west of the “Morrison”
place, where the Ohanna Creek once discharged into the ocean.

_Ne-ah-coxie_—Village at the mouth of Neacoxie Creek.

_Ne-co-tat_—Village at Seaside.

_Ne-hay-ne-hum_—Indian lodge up the Necanicum Creek.

_Ne-ahk-li-paltli_—A place near Elk Creek where an edible plant,
the Eckutlipatli, was found.

_Ne-kah-ni_—A precipice overlooking the ocean, meaning the abode
of _Ekahni_, the supreme god; called “Carnie Mountain” by the
whites.

_Ne-tarts_—Netarts.

_Nestucca._

_Tlats-kani_—A point in Nehalem Valley reached either by way of
Young’s River, or the Clatskanie; and hence the name
“Claskanine” for the branch of Young’s River, and “Clatskanie”
for the stream above Westport. In saying “_tlastani_,” the
Indians meant neither of those streams, but merely the place
where they were going to or coming from; but with usual
carelessness the whites applied it to both.

There were two lakes on Clatsop plains, one of which was
called _O-mo-pah_, Smith’s Lake: and the other, much larger,
_Ya-se-ya-ma-na-la-tslas-tie_, which now goes by the name of an
Indian, _Oua-i-cul-li-by_, or simply _Culliby_.

The name of Cape Hancock was _Wa-kee-tle-he-igh_; _Ilwaco_,
_Comcomby_, _Chenamas_, _Skamokoway_, _Kobaiway_, _Tostam_, and
_Totilhum_, were chiefs.

These chiefs’ names illustrate some of the peculiarities of Indian pronunciation. _Kobaiway_, who was the Clatsop chief when Lewis and Clark came, was called by them _Comowool_; _Tostam_ was sometimes called _Tostab_; and _Totilhum_, “a powerful man of the people,” had the Columbia River called after him by some whites. Seeing some Indians coming down the great stream with camas, etc., they asked where they obtained this: “From _Totilhum_,” was the reply; meaning that they had been on a visit to the chief. Then thinking they had made a great discovery, the whites announced that the Columbia was called _Totilhum_. _Totilhum_ was chief of the Cathlamets, who originally had their village on the Oregon side, near Clifton.

INDIAN NAMES OF PLACES IN THE WILLAMETTE VALLEY—SOME CHIEFS.

_Ni-a-kow-kow_—St. Helens. A noted Indian chief here was
_Ke-as-no_. He was made a friend by the Hudson’s Bay Company, was
given fine presents, and entrusted with the duty of firing a salute
to the company’s vessels as they came in sight up the river.

_Nah-poo-itle_—A village just across the river from
_Niahkowkow_. The name of the chief was _Sha-al_, who was very
large sized.

_Nah-moo-itk_—A point on Sauvie’s Island.

_Emulthnomah_—A point a little above.

_Wa-kan-a-shee-shee_—A point across the river from
_Emulthnomah_; meant “white-headed duck,” or diver.

_Na-quoith_—On mainland, old Fort William.

_Na-ka-poulth_—A pond a little above Portland, on the east side,
where the Indians dug wapatoes.

_E-kee-sa-ti_—The Willamette Falls. The name of the tribe here
was _Tla-we-wul-lo_. The name of a chief was _Wah-nach-ski_; he
had a nephew, _Wah-shah-ams_.

_Han-te-uc_—Point at mouth of Pudding River.

_Champo-ek_—Champoeg, meaning the place of a certain edible
root. “Ch” pronounced hard, as in “chant.”

_Che-sque-a_—Ray’s Landing.

_Cham-ho-kuc_—A point near the mouth of Chehalem Creek; Chehalem
Village, in Chehalem Valley. A Chehalem chief was _Wow-na-pa_.

_Chemayway_—_Chemayway_ was also a name given to Wapato Lake.

_Cham-hal-lach_—A village on French Prairie.

It will be noticed that the names above the Willamette Falls frequently begin with “Che” or “Cham,” as the coast names often begin with “Ne.” The name for Clackamas was _Ne-ka-mas_, and for Molalla, _Mo-lay-less_. The name Tualatin was _Twhah-la-ti_. At Forest Grove, near the old A. T. Smith place, was an Indian village, _Koot-pahl_. The bare hill northwest, now called David’s Hill, was _Tahm-yahn_, and an open spot up Gales’ Creek Valley was _Pa-ach-ti_. A Tillamook chief was _Tae-sahlx_. The name of a chief at The Dalles was _Wah-tis-con_. Labonte remembers several chiefs at Spokane, one of whom was _Ilmicum Spokanee_, or the Chief of the Moon; another, _Ilmicum Takullhalth_, or the Chief of the Day, and another, _Kah-wah-kim_, or Broken Shoulder. A chief of the Colville tribe was _Skohomich_, a very old, white headed man when Labonte saw him in about 1827. A tribe at the Cascades were the _Wah-ral-lah_.

NAMES OF ANIMALS.

Coyote—Chinook, _Tallapus_; Klikitat, _Speeleyi_; Spokane,
_Sincheleepp_.

Fox—Spokane, _Whawhaoolee_.

Gray wolf—_Cheaitsin_.

Grizzly bear—Spokane, _Tsim-hi-at-sin_; Chinook, _E-shai-um_.

Black bear—Spokane, _N’salmbe_; Chinook. _Itch-hoot_.

Deer—Spokane, _Ah-wa-ia_; Doe, _Poo-may-ia_, or _Poom-a-wa-ia_.
(?) Calapooia, “A big buck,” _Awaia umpaia_.

Black bear—Clackamas, _Skint-wha_.

Beaver—_Wa-ca-no_.

Deer—Chinook, _Mowitch_; Calapooia, _A-mo-quee_.

Elk—Calapooia, _An-ti-kah_.

Elk—Clatsop, _Moo-luk_.

Duck—Clatsop, _Que’ka-que’kh_ (_onomatopœia_).

Geese—Clatsop, _Kah-lak-ka-lah-ma_ (_ono._).

Yellow legged goose—_Hi-hi_.

Columbia Sucker—_Kaht-a-quay_.

Smelt—Clatsop, _O-tla-hum_.

Hake—Clatsop, _Sca-nah_.

Silverside salmon—_O-o-wun_.

Blue back salmon—Clatsop, _Oo-chooi-hay_.

Large black salmon of August run—Clatsop, _Ec-ul-ba_.

Steelhead—Clatsop, _Qua-ne-ah_.

Dog salmon—Clatsop, _O-le-ahch_.

Cinook salmon (Royal Chinook)—Clatsop, _E-quin-na_, from which
“_Quinnat_,” the name of the Pacific Coast salmon species has
been taken.

Trout—_O-tole-whee_.

Whale—Clatsop, _E-co-lay_.

Horse—Clatsop, _E-cu-i-ton_.

Cow—Clatsop, _Moos-moos_ (_ono._).

Sheep—_Ne-mooi-too_.

Wildcat—Clatsop, _E-cup-poo_.

[Mr. Smith conjectures that the name of wildcat was
given from the alarm call of the squirrel, which was
hunted by the wildcats, and whose cry indicated the
presence of these animals.]

Beaver—Clatsop, _E-nah_.

Seal—Clatsop, _Ool-hi-you_.

Sea lion—Clatsop, _Ee-kee-pee-tlea_.

Sea otter—Clatsop, _E-lah-kee_.

Coon—Clatsop, _Twa-las-key_.

EDIBLE ROOTS, ETC.

Wapato—Clatsop, _Kah-nat-sin_.

Camas—Calapooia, _Ah-mees_.

Loaf of Camas—_Um-punga_.

Foxtail tuber—Clatsop, _Che-hup_; Calapooia, same.

[The _che-hup_ was quite an article of commerce, being
prepared by the Calapooias and traded with the coast
tribes. It was black, and sweet tasting.]

Thistle root—Clatsop, _Sh-nat-a-whee_.

Blue lupine root—Clatsop, _Cul-whay-ma_.

[This was a root as large as one’s finger, a foot long,
and roasted, tasted like sweet potato.]

Wild tulip, or brown lily—Clatsop, _Eck-ut-le-pat-le_.

Cranberry—Clatsop. _Solh-meh_.

Strawberry—Clatsop, _Ah-moo-tee_.

Service berry—Clatsop, _Tip-to-ich_.

Blue huckleberry—Same as service berry.

Buffalo berry—Clatsop, _Smee-ugh-tul_.

Sallal—Clatsop, _Sal-lal_.

Hazel nuts—Calapoolia, _To-que-la_.

Wasps’ nest—Calapooia, _An-te-alth_.

[The nest of the “yellow jackets” was dug out of the
ground, the insects being first well smoked so as not to
sting; and the combs, with the honey and larvæ, were
considered a great delicacy. The expression (Calapooia)
“_msoah quasinafoe antealth_,” means “yellow jacket’s
nests are good eating.”]

Tar weed seed—Calapooia, _Sah-wahh_.

The tar weed seeds were small and dark, ripening late. One of the objects of burning the prairie over in the fall was to ripen and partially cook these seeds, which, after the fire had passed, were left dry and easily gathered. They were ground like camas root in a mortar and then resembled pepper in appearance, but were sweet tasting.

CHINOOK AND SPOKANE NUMERALS.

One—Chinook, _ikt_; Spokane, _nekoo_.

Two—Chinook, _mox_; Spokane, _es-sel_.

Three—Chinook, _clone_; Spokane, _tsye-sees_.

Four—Chinook, _lack-et_; Spokane, _moos_.

Five—Chinook, _quin-am_ or _quun-un_; Spokane, _chyilks_.

Six—Chinook, _tahum_; Spokane, _e-tecken_.

Seven—Chinook, _sinomox_; Spokane, _sees-pul_.

Eight—Chinook, _sto-ken_; Spokane, _ha-en-um_.

Nine—Chinook, _quoist_; Spokane, _h’noot_.

Ten—Chinook, _tat-ta-lum_; Spokane, _oo-pen_.

Twenty—Chinook, _tattalum-tattalum_; Spokane, _es-sel oo-pen_.

One hundred—Spokane, _en-kay-kin_.

HOUSEHOLD ARTICLES, IMPLEMENTS, ETC.

Blankets—Calapooia, _Pas-sis-si_.

Kettle—Calapooia, _Moos-moos_.

Slaves—Calapooia, _El-ai-tai_.

_Haiqua_ shells, used for money, a small turritella, found on
the northern coast.

Small _haiqua_—Calapooia, _Cope-cope_.

Tobacco—Calapooia, _E-kai-noss_.

Knives—Calapooia, _Eoptstsh_.

Powder—Calapooia, _Poo-lal-lie_.

Buffalo robe—Clatsop, _Too-i-hee_.

Wagon—Clatsop, _Chick-chick_ (_ono._).

High-bow Chinook canoe—Clatsop, _Esquai-ah_.

Big tub Chinook canoe—Clatsop, _Ska-moolsk_.

Small duck canoe—_Kah-see-tic_(_h_).

Clackamas canoe—Clackamas, _Tse-quah-min_.

Even from the above meager list a number of interesting inquiries might be begun, but my object at present is only to make a small contribution along what I believe will prove a profitable line of investigation, hoping that others will add theirs. In this way something will be accomplished toward reconstructing the simple life of our natives, doing them a justice, and discovering, I am sure, what will be a delight and benefit both to the present and to the coming generations of our own people.

H. S. LYMAN.

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DOCUMENTS.

All of the following newspaper articles were taken from a single year of the New York _Tribune_. They serve well to indicate the interest with which Oregon Territory was regarded throughout the country in 1842:

[From the _Tribune_ (New York), January 18, 1842.]

FROM OREGON.

EXTRACT OF A LETTER DATED WILHAMET, FEBRUARY 19, 1842.

I will now tell you something of the people of this country. There
are about seventy-five to eighty French Canadians settled in this
country, principally discharged from the service of the Hudson Bay
Company; there are also about fifty Americans settled in and about
this country, making, perhaps, one hundred and twenty-five to one
hundred and thirty male inhabitants, who are married to Indian
women. They raise from their farms, on an average, from three to
five hundred, and some from ten to twelve hundred bushels of wheat,
besides great quantities of pease, potatoes, oats, barley, corn,
etc. The Hudson Bay Company have in their employ at Fort Vancouver
about one hundred and twenty-five persons, and many in several
other forts both sides of the Rocky Mountains.

These people, as I said before, are married to Indian women, and
live very much the same, in all respects, as our farmers at
home, with the exception of not being obliged to labor half as
much. They generally have from fifty to one hundred head of
horses, half as many cows, and about the same number of hogs;
these all take care of themselves. The people here cut no hay
and make no pastures; they do not give their hogs any feed,
excepting about a month before they kill them. There is one
church here, and the people have contracted for a brick church
and other buildings necessary, such as a school house for the
French and one for the Americans. The French have one priest
here and one at Fort Vancouver.

The Americans generally attend at the mission, and, as far as I
can see, the people here are as well behaved and moral as in our
town. We have now a committee at work drafting a constitution and
code of laws; have in nomination a governor, an attorney-general,
three justices of the peace, etc.; overseers of the poor, road
commissioners, etc. We have already chosen a supreme judge with
probate powers, a clerk of the court and recorder, a high sheriff,
and three constables; so that you see we are in a fair way of
starting a rival republic on this side of the mountains, especially
as we are constantly receiving recruits— those people whose time
has expired with the Hudson Bay Company, and from mountain hunters
coming down to settle.—_National Intelligencer_.

[From the _Tribune_ (New York), Friday morning, March 24, 1842.]

Oregon is now the theme of general interest at the west. Large
meetings to discuss the policy of taking formal possession of
and colonizing it have been held at Columbus, Ohio, and several
other places. Many are preparing to emigrate. A band of hardy
settlers will rendezvous at Fort Leavenworth, and set out thence
for Oregon early in May, under the command of Major Fitzpatrick.

[From the _Tribune_ (New York), April 26, 1842.]

FROM OAHU.

The ship William Gray brings to Salem, Massachusetts, date from
Honolulu, November 27. * * * Late intelligence from Oregon
confirms previous accounts with regard to missionary operations.
From the fewness of the Indians and their migratory habits it is
feared that little good can be effected among them. Many of the
missionaries have become farmers and others are preparing to
leave.

[From the _Tribune_ (New York), March 13, 1842.]

OREGON.

The following letter is from an intelligent sea captain just
returned from the Pacific Ocean. It gives information of the
progress of the British appropriation of the trade and all the
accessible regions of the Northern Pacific, which should be
impressed upon the American public.—_Globe_.

BOSTON, May 1, 1842.

SIR: Thinking it may be interesting or important to know some of
the late operations and present plans of the Hudson’s Bay
Company in the North Pacific Ocean, I beg leave to present to
your notice some facts in relation to the same, and which have
come to my knowledge from personal observation, or from sources
entitled to the fullest credit.

All that extensive line of coast comprehending the Russian
possessions on the Northwest Coast of America, from Mount Saint
Elias south to the latitude 54° 40′ north (the last being the
boundary line between the Russian and American territories),
together with the sole and exclusive right or privilege of
frequenting all ports, bays, sounds, rivers, etc., within said
territory, and establishing forts and trading with the Indians,
has been leased or granted by the Russian-American Fur Company
to the British Hudson’s Bay Company, for the term of ten years
from January, 1842; and for which the latter are to pay,
_annually_, four thousand seal skins, or the value thereof in
money, at the rate of thirty-two shillings each, say £6,400
sterling, or $30,720.

In the above-named lease the Russians have, however, reserved to
themselves the Island of Sitka, or New Archangel; in which
place, you probably are aware, the Russians have a large
settlement—the depot and headquarters of their fur trade with
the Fox Islands, Aleutian Islands, and the continental shore
westward of Mount Saint Elias. All the trading establishments of
the Russians lately at Tumgass, Stickene, and other places
within said territory, leased to the Hudson’s Bay Company, have
of consequence been broken up. Thus the Hudson’s Bay Company not
content with monopolizing the heretofore profitable trade of the
Americans, of supplying the Russian settlements on the Northwest
Coast, have now cut them off also from all trade with the most
valuable fur regions in the world.

Whether the arrangements made between the Russians and English,
above alluded to, are conformable to the treaties existing
between the United States on the one part, and those nations
respectively on the other, I leave to your better knowledge to
determine.

With the doings of the Hudson’s Bay Company at Puget Sound and
the Columbia River you are doubtless fully informed; those,
however, lately commenced by them in California will admit of my
saying a few words.

At San Francisco they purchased a large house as a trading
establishment and depot for merchandise; and they intend this
year to have a place of the same kind at each of the principal
ports in Upper California. Two vessels are building in London,
intended for the same trade—that is, for the coasting trade; and
after completing their cargoes, to carry them to England. These
things, with others, give every indication that it is the
purpose of the Hudson’s Bay Company to monopolize the whole hide
and tallow trade of California, a trade which now employs more
than half a million of American capital. At the Sandwich Islands
the company have a large trading establishment, and have
commenced engaging the commerce of the country, with evident
designs to monopolize it, if possible, and to drive off the
Americans, who have heretofore been its chief creators and
conductors.

I have been informed, by one of the agents of the Hudson’s Bay
Company, that the agricultural and commercial operations of the
English at Puget Sound, Columbia River, California, and Sandwich
Islands, are carried on, not actually by the Hudson’s Bay
Company, but by what may be termed a branch of it—by gentlemen
who are the chief members and stockholders of said company, and
who have associated themselves under the firm Pelly, Simpson &
Co., in London, and with a capital of more than $15,000,000!

Seeing these companies, then, marching with iron footsteps to
the possession of the most valuable portion of country in the
Northern Pacific, and considering, too, the immense amount of
their capital, the number, enterprise, and energy of their
agents, and the policy pursued by them, great reason is there to
fear that American commerce in that part of the world must soon
lower its flag. But, sir, it is to be hoped that our government
will soon do something to break up the British settlements in
the Oregon Territory, and thereby destroy the source from which
now emanates the dire evils to American interests in the western
world. In the endeavor to bring about that desirable object, you
have done much; and every friend to his country, every person
interested in the commerce of the Pacific, must feel grateful
for the valuable services rendered them by you.

With great respect, your obedient servant,

HENRY A. PRICE.

HON. LEWIS F. LINN,

Senator of the United States, Washington.

[From the _Tribune_ (New York), July 4, 1842.]

SCIENTIFIC EXPEDITION.

The Missouri _Reporter_ of the fourteenth instant contains a
notice of the expedition of Lieutenant Fremont, of the United
States Topographical Engineers, to the base of the Rocky
Mountains, in the latitude of the Platte and Kanzas rivers, with
a view to ascertain positions and localities, to explore the
face of the country, and to make the government fully acquainted
with that remote and important point of our extended territory
now becoming of so much greater interest from the extension of
our trade to the northern parts of Mexico and California, and
the settlement growing up in the valley of the Columbia River.

The line of communication now followed by immigrants, traders
and travelers to the Columbia and California, is upon this
route, and through the famous South Pass—a depression in the
Rocky Mountains at the head of the River Platte, which makes a
gate in that elevated ridge, passable in a state of nature, for
loaded wagons, of which many have passed through. This
examination of the country on this side of the Rocky Mountains
comes at a very auspicious moment to complete our researches in
that direction, and to give more value to the surveys and
examinations of the Columbia River, its estuary, and the
surrounding country, made by Lieutenant Wilkes in his recent
voyage, and of which a full report has been made to the
government. These two examinations will give us an authentic and
interesting view of the important country belonging to the
United States on each side of the Rocky Mountains; and taken in
connection with the great scientific survey of Mr. Nicollet,
commencing at the mouth of the Missouri River, and extending
north to the head of the Mississippi, and to latitude 49°, and
covering all the country in the forks of these two rivers, over
an extent of ten degrees of latitude, will shed immense light
upon the geography and natural history of the vast region west
of the Mississippi River.—_Globe_.

The following is the article from the Missouri _Reporter_:

Lieutenant Fremont, of the corps of the topographical engineers,
left here under orders from the war department, about ten days
ago, with a party of twenty men on a tour to the Rocky
Mountains. The object of the expedition is an examination of the
country between the mouth of the Kanzas and the headwaters of
the great River Platte, including the navigable parts of both
these rivers, and what is called the Southern Pass in the Rocky
Mountains, and intermediate country, with the view to the
establishment of a line of military posts from the frontiers of
Missouri to the mouth of the Columbia River. This expedition is
connected with the proposition now before congress to occupy the
territory about the Columbia River as proposed by Dr. Linn’s
bill.

The great River Platte is the most direct line of communication
between this country and the mouth of the Columbia, and that
route is known to be practicable and easy. It therefore becomes
important to ascertain the general character of that river and
the adjacent country, and the facilities it will be likely to
afford in prosecuting contemplated settlements in Oregon. This
Southern Pass, or depression in the Rocky Mountains, is near the
source of the extreme branch of the River Platte, and affords an
easy passage for wagons and other wheel carriages, which have
frequently passed over the mountains on that route without
difficulty or delay; and it is important that the latitude of
this point should be ascertained, as it is thought that it will
not vary much from the line established between the United
States and Mexico by treaty with Spain, 1819. If this pass
should fall south of that line (the forty-second degree of north
latitude) it may become necessary to examine the country north
of it, the line of the Yellowstone and south branch of the
Columbia would, it is thought, afford the next best route.

Lieutenant Fremont, though young, has had much experience in
surveys of this kind, having made the topographical survey of
the Des Moines River, and having assisted the scientific Mr.
Nicollet in his great survey of the Upper Mississippi. He is
well supplied with instruments for making astronomical
observations; for fixing the longitude and latitude of important
points; and a daguerrotype apparatus for taking views of
important points and scenes along the route; and, if not
obstructed in his operations by large bands of wild, wandering
Indians, which sometimes trouble small parties passing through
that region, may be expected to impart much valuable information
to the government and to the country.

Since the attention of the country has been directed to the
settlement of the Oregon Territory by our able senator (Doctor
Linn), and by the reports of those who have visited that region
in person, the importance of providing ample security for
settlers there, and of opening a safe and easy communication
from the western boundary of Missouri to the Columbia River has
been universally admitted.

The day is not far distant when, if the general government shall
do its duty in the matter, Oregon will be inhabited by a hardy,
industrious, and intelligent population, and the enterprise of
our citizens find a new channel of trade with the islands of the
Pacific, the western coast of this whole continent, and perhaps
with Eastern Asia. Notwithstanding the many obstacles at present
in the way of the settlement of this territory, emigrants are
rapidly pouring into it, and only demand of government that
protection which is due to all our citizens, wherever they may
choose to reside. While negotiations are pending at Washington
to adjust all existing difficulties between this country and
Great Britain, our right to this territory should not be
forgotten. At present, it may seem a small matter to the
negotiations; but they should remember that every year’s delay
will only render the final adjustment of the disputed
northwestern boundary more difficult.

We are pleased to learn that the proper authorities at
Washington evince a disposition to do something toward
encouraging the early occupation of Oregon by permanent American
settlers. It is known that many of the islands in the Pacific
have already been settled by Americans, and trading houses
established, by which a large and profitable business is carried
on with the Indian tribes on the northwestern coast of America,
and with the East Indies and China. There is nothing to prevent
trading establishments in Oregon from ultimately securing a
large share of this trade, and adding much to the wealth and
prosperity of the whole union.

But, regardless of these ultimate advantages, the prospect of
immediate success is so great that many of our hardy pioneers
are already turning their attention to the settlement of Oregon,
and many years will not elapse before that territory contains a
large population. Doctor Linn has done much to urge a speedy
occupation of it by permanent American residents. If Lieutenant
Fremont shall be successful in his contemplated exploration of
the route, and if the government shall furnish proper protection
to those who shall seek a home in that distant region, the
English may not only be completely dislodged from the foothold
they have already acquired there, but prevented from making
further inroads upon our western territory, and long
monopolizing the greater part of the trade at present carried on
with the Indian tribes at the Northwest and West.

[From the _Tribune_ (New York), July 15, 1842.]

THE EXPLORING EXPEDITION.

The Washington correspondent of the _Journal of Commerce_ writes
as follows of the results of the exploring expedition:

The universal opinion here on the subject of the conduct and
results of the exploring expedition is highly favorable to the
officers who had charge of it. It has certainly given to
Lieutenant Wilkes a reputation as an accomplished seaman and an
energetic and scientific officer.

He delivered before the national institute a course of lectures,
at the request of that body, on the subject of the expedition,
which gave satisfaction and instruction to a numerous and
enlightened auditory—among whom were Mr. J. Q. Adams, Mr.
Poinsett, Mr. Woodbury, the members of the cabinet, and many
scientific gentlemen from every portion of the union.

At the close of his last lecture the honorable Secretary of the
Navy (Mr. Upshur) rose and addressed the assembly in the warmest
terms of commendation of the successful labors and efforts of
Captain Wilkes, and the officers and scientific corps under his
command. He adverted to one fact which of itself spoke strongly
of the skill with which the expedition had been conducted—that
it had visited the remotest quarters of the globe, traversed the
most dangerous seas, surveyed the most impenetrable coasts, and
encountered the vicissitudes of every climate with so little
difficulty or loss.

The secretary also remarked on the immense treasures in natural
science which the officers of the expedition had collected and
transmitted to the government in such admirable order, and which
now formed the basis of the museum of the national institute.

He commented, also, on Captain Wilkes’ report upon the Oregon
Territory, and declared that this report was alone an ample
compensation to the country for the whole cost of the
expedition. He expressed the opinion, in fine, that the results
of the expedition were highly valuable and honorable, not to
this country alone, but to the cause of civilization in the
world.

[From the _Tribune_ (New York), August 10, 1842.]

_Correspondence from Washington._

Points of the treaty. * * * The boundary line agreed upon runs
to the Rocky Mountains, and leaves unsettled the question of the
Oregon Territory. There is nothing lost by this, for our
emigrants are daily settling this question. We grow stronger
there by time, and become _nearer_, too.

In the same paper of the same date as the above:

THE OREGON FUR TRADE.

This valuable traffic, which is at once the instrument of
exploration and the nursery of seamen, was by the convention of
1818 suffered to be pursued promiscuously by British and
Americans, and in consequence of that suicidal provision is fast
being diverted from the latter to the former. Our exports of
furs to Canton amounted in 1821, to $480,000; in 1832, to about
$200,000, and in 1839, to $56,000, showing a gradual decrease
between the years 1821 and 1839 of more than seven-eighths, in
the amount and value of this trade. A better practical
commentary is not needed upon the effect of our legislation, and
while Americans are thus annually withdrawing from this trade,
Great Britain is extending her facilities for commanding it
every day. Her hunters and trappers are scattered over the whole
extent of the territory; nor are they content with the
legitimate profits of the business. While within the British
Territory the strictest provisions are made to prevent the
destruction of game unnecessarily, no such precautions are
enforced here, but on the contrary the Indians and others are
encouraged to hunt at all seasons of the year without regard to
the preservation of game. The result of this will be the
extermination of the beaver and other animals killed for their
fur within a few years unless the United States interferes.

[From the _Tribune_ (New York), December 14, 1842.]

THE NORTHWEST COAST.

Some apprehension exists that a settled design is entertained by Great Britain of disputing our claim to the territory beyond the Rocky Mountains and the whole Pacific Coast in that quarter. A letter to the editor of the _Globe_ from an officer of the United States ship Dale, belonging to the Pacific Squadron, dated “Bay of Panama, September 23, 1842,” contains the following paragraph:

We sailed from Callao seventh instant in company with the frigate
United States (Commodore Jones’ flagship), and sloop-of-war Cyane,
but we separated from them and bore up for this port on the seventh
day out. Just previously to our departure two British ships-of-war
(the razee Dublin, and sloop-of-war Champion) sailed thence on
_secret service_! Of course this mysterious movement of Admiral
Thomas elicited a thousand conjectures as to his destination,
the most probable of which seemed to be that he was bound for
the Northwest Coast of Mexico, where, it is surmised, a _British
station_ is to be located in accordance with a secret convention
between the Mexican and English governments! And it is among the
_on dits_ in the squadron that the frigate, the Cyane, and the
Dale, are to rendezvous as soon as practicable at Monterey to keep
an eye upon John Bull’s movements in that quarter.

The following document is a letter by William Plumer, then United States Senator from New Hampshire. The original is in the possession of Dr. Jay Tuttle, of Astoria. Bradbury Cilley, Esqr., to whom the letter is addressed, was an ancestor of Doctor Tuttle. The copy was secured by George H. Himes, Assistant Secretary of the Oregon Historical Society.

WASHINGTON, Feby 25, 1806.

MY DEAR FRIEND: A few days since I received your kind letter of
the 27th January. It had a long passage. Your letters need no
apology. They always afford me pleasure, and I regret that I so
seldom receive them.

The papers of the day inform you that we are doing little,
except meeting, talking, and adjourning. Indeed we have little
business to do that is of importance. The great, astonishing
changes that so rapidly succeed one another in Europe admonishes
us to deliberate much and act little in relation to our
connection with them. We ought, in my opinion, to reserve
ourselves for events.

I do not believe there is any fear of an invasion from any
nation. I am, therefore, opposed to expending millions in
fortifying our seaports. I consider the money to be thus
expended worse than lost. Those works, if erected, will compel
us to an annual expenditure, to a considerable amount, to
support them. The revenues of the United States, for years,
might be expended in erecting fortifications. This kind of a
defense is in its nature unavailing. Witness the great but
useless fortifications at Copenhagen in 1801; witness a single
British frigate in 1776, with the tide and a gentle breeze,
passing unhurt down the Hudson, by all our forts at New York.
If, instead of raising money to fortify against enemies that are
distant as the moon, a reasonable sum was annually and prudently
applied to building a permanent navy, we should then exert our
energies to a useful purpose. We should then find increasing
commerce would not in every sea depend, for protection, on the
capricious whims of nations whose interests it is to capture and
condemn it. But I presume we shall do nothing this session that
will be permanent. In a popular government there are too many
whose constant inquiries are directed rather to please, than
serve, the people.

The senate to gratify France has interdicted the trade to
Saint Domingo, and to restrain the President from warring
against Great Britain, they have resolved that he must resort
to negotiation. The fact is, the President knew Jay’s rendered
a former administration unpopular, and to remove the
responsibility from the President to the Senate, his friends
induced them in their legislative capacity to assume and
exercise their executive powers and request him to negotiate,—
the very measure he had adopted. I was apprised of the fact,
opposed and voted against it, much against the will of my
friends. I am unwilling to remove the responsibility which the
constitution has imposed on him—’tis dangerous.

Yesterday I dined with the President. I felt in high glee, and
enjoyed myself; but I thought the President discovered an
unusual weight of care. The times, indeed, require all his
vigilance.

Mr. Burr is here—but is not yet Minister to Great Britain—nor I
hope never will [be].

Our weather is remarkably warm. The grass is verdant, and the
birds of spring are come. I enjoy good health and spirits—but
wish to return to my friends and family—though I fear I shall
not for many weeks.

Make my compliments agreeable to Mrs. Cilley, and be assured
that I am with much esteem yours sincerely,

WILLIAM PLUMER.

BRADBURY CILLEY, ESQR.,

Nottingham, N. H.

------------------------------------------------------------------------

PUBLICATIONS

OF THE

OREGON HISTORICAL SOCIETY

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SOURCES OF THE HISTORY OF OREGON

VOLUME I

NUMBER 1.—JOURNAL OF MEDOREM CRAWFORD—AN ACCOUNT OF HIS TRIP ACROSS THE PLAINS IN 1842. PRICE, 25 CENTS.

NUMBER 2.—THE INDIAN COUNCIL AT WALLA WALLA, MAY AND JUNE, 1855, BY COL. LAWRENCE KIP—A JOURNAL. PRICE, 25 CENTS.

NUMBERS 3 TO 6 INCLUSIVE.—THE CORRESPONDENCE AND JOURNALS OF CAPTAIN NATHANIEL J. WYETH, 1831-6.—A RECORD OF TWO EXPEDITIONS, FOR THE OCCUPATION OF THE OREGON COUNTRY, WITH MAPS, INTRODUCTION AND INDEX. PRICE, $1.10.

THE PROCEEDINGS OF THE OREGON HISTORICAL SOCIETY FOR 1898-9, INCLUDING PAPER BY SILAS B. SMITH, ON “BEGINNINGS IN OREGON,” 97 PAGES. PRICE, 25 CENTS.

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QUARTERLY OF THE OREGON HISTORICAL SOCIETY.

CONTENTS NO. 1, VOL. I, MARCH, 1900.

THE GENESIS OF POLITICAL AUTHORITY AND OF A COMMONWEALTH 1
GOVERNMENT IN OREGON—_James R. Robertson_

THE PROCESS OF SELECTION IN OREGON PIONEER SETTLEMENT— 60
_Thomas Condon_

NATHANIEL J. WYETH’S OREGON EXPEDITIONS—“In Historic 66
Mansions and Highways Around Boston”

REMINISCENCES OF F. X. MATTHIEU—_H. S. Lyman_ 73

DOCUMENTS—Correspondence of John McLoughlin, Nathaniel J. 105
Wyeth, S. R. Thurston, and R. C. Winthrop, pertaining to
claim of Dr. McLoughlin at the Falls of the Willamette—the
site of Oregon City

NOTES AND NEWS 70

--------------

CONTENTS NO. 2, VOL. I, JUNE, 1900.

THE OREGON QUESTION—_Joseph R. Wilson_ 111

OUR PUBLIC LAND SYSTEM AND ITS RELATION TO EDUCATION IN THE 132
UNITED STATES—_Frances F. Victor_

GLIMPSES OF LIFE IN EARLY OREGON—_Mrs. William Markland_ 158
_Molson_

NOT MARJORAM.—THE SPANISH WORD “OREGANO” NOT THE ORIGINAL OF 165
OREGON—_H. W. Scott_

REMINISCENCES OF LOUIS LABONTE—_H. S. Lyman_ 169

DR. ELLIOTT COURS—_Frances F. Victor_ 189

DOCUMENT.—A Narrative of Events in Early Oregon ascribed to 193
Dr. John McLoughlin

REVIEWS OF BOOKS.—“McLoughlin and Old Oregon”—_Eva Emery_ 207
_Dye_

“Missionary History of the Pacific Northwest”—_H. K. Hines,_ 210
_D. D._

NOTE.—A Correction 212

PRICE: THIRTY-FIVE CENTS PER NUMBER, ONE DOLLAR PER YEAR

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UNIVERSITY OF OREGON.

--------------

_THE GRADUATE SCHOOL confers the degrees of Master of Arts, (and in prospect, of Doctor of Philosophy,) Civil and Sanitary Engineer (C. E.), Electrical Engineer (E. E.), Chemical Engineer (Ch. E.), and Mining Engineer (Min. E.)_

--------------

_THE COLLEGE OF LITERATURE, SCIENCE, AND THE ARTS confers the degree of Bachelor of Arts on graduates from the following groups: (1) General Classical; (2) General Literary; (3) General Scientific; (4) Civic- Historical. It offers Collegiate Courses not leading to a degree as follows: (1) Preparatory to Law or Journalism; (2) Course for Teachers._

--------------

_THE COLLEGE OF SCIENCE AND ENGINEERING.—_

_A.—The School of Applied Science confers the degree of Bachelor of
Science on graduates from the following groups; (1) General Science;
(2) Chemistry; (3) Physics; (4) Biology; (5) Geology and Mineralogy.
It offers a Course Preparatory to Medicine._

_B.—The School of Engineering: (1) Civil and Sanitary; (2) Electrical;
(3) Chemical._

-------------- _THE SCHOOL OF MINES AND MINING. THE SCHOOL OF MEDICINE at Portland. THE SCHOOL OF LAW at Portland. THE SCHOOL OF MUSIC. THE UNIVERSITY ACADEMY._

_Address_

THE PRESIDENT,

EUGENE, OREGON.

------------------------------------------------------------------------

TRANSCRIBER’S NOTES

- 1. Obvious typographical errors have been silently corrected.

- 2. Variations in hyphenation and accents have been standardised if a
predominant form was found within the text, but all other spelling
and punctuation remains unchanged.

- 3. Underscores in the text, like _this_, are used to represent text
that was italicised in the original book.