BOTANICAL INFORMATION. 523 



officers, Mr. Dugald Mactavish, who afforded me every 

 facility with great readiness, and on landing, conducted 

 me to the Governor and Chief-factor, J. Mac Laughlin, 

 and J. Douglas, Esqrs. These gentlemen, with the hos- 

 pitality and disinterestedness evinced by the whole corps 

 of officers of that Hon. Company, invited me to take up 

 my lodgings within the Fort, to prepare for the voyage to 

 England, for which they gave me every assistance, of their 

 own free accord, as well as at the desire of Sir W, D. Stewart, 

 by whom I was liberally patronized throughout my whole 

 journey. The vessel of the Hon. Company, the barque Co- 

 lumbia, Captain A. Duncan, left Fort Vancouver on the 13th 

 of November, 1844, and arrived safely in London, via Sand- 

 wich Islands and Cape Horn, on the 25th of May, 1845. 



I would express, in conclusion, my thanks to those 

 friends, from whom I was unfortunately destined to part 

 almost as soon as I had found them. Whether they be 

 m the Mississippi valley, New England or Canada, Oregon, 

 California, or the Sandwich Islands, I shall ever remember 

 their kindness with gratitude. I cannot, however, so sum- 

 marily express my feelings towards the Commander of 

 the Columbia, and his officers generally. The many days and 

 nights spent in that brave vessel, the constant kindness of 

 Captain Alexander Duncan, his daring and his prudence, 

 which saved the ship during the hurricane we experienced at 

 the Falkland Islands, make his memory dear to me. I yet 

 hear his commanding voice through the howlings of the storm, 

 which drove the noble bark, all her sails double-reefed, at 

 the rate of twelve knots an hour through the water, her masts 

 bending like riding-whips. Yet no injury was sustained, but 

 that of being driven out of our way, the danger being averted 

 by his prudent measures. This hurricane took place on the 

 morning of the 13th of March, 1845, a few days after we had 

 rounded Cape Horn, with storm-sails set. 



Finally, the writer takes leave of the learned and kind 

 Editor of this Periodical, to whom, as well as to Sir Win. 



QQ2 



