1826, MARCH. FORT VANCOUVER 157 



From what I have seen in the country, and what I have been enabled 

 to do, there is still much to be done ; after a careful consideration as to 

 the propriety of remaining for a season longer than instructed to do, I 

 have resolved not to leave for another year to come. From what I have 

 seen myself of the upper country towards the head-waters of this river 

 and the boundless track contiguous to the Rocky Mountains, I cannot 

 in justice to the Society's interest do otherwise. However, I am un- 

 certain how far I may be justified in so doing. If the motive which 

 induces me to make this arrangement should not be approved of, I beg 

 it may at least be pardoned. In doing so, two considerations presented 

 themselves : first, as I am incurring very little expense ; second, being 

 laid up an invalid last autumn during my seed harvest, I lost doubtless 

 many interesting things which I would have otherwise had. Lest the 

 former should be made any objection to, most cheerfully will I labour for 

 this year without any remuneration, if I get only wherewith to purchase 

 a little clothing. I could have crossed the continent this season to 

 Montreal, and most gladly would I have availed myself of such an oppor- 

 tunity, but could never for a moment forget myself so far as to pass 

 over unnoticed a country deserving the strictest research. Lest it should 

 be impossible for me to cross in the spring of 1827, I shall without loss 

 of time embrace the first opportunity of reaching London by sea after 

 that period. That, however, I should be sorry to do, as so much time 

 is lost, and as George Simpson, Esq., the Governor of the Western District, 

 will be on the Columbia early in September, most likely I shall not lie 

 under the disagreeable necessity of undertaking such a long voyage. 

 My headquarters will be either at Wallawallah the lowest, Spokane the 

 middle, or Kettle Falls the highest, establishment on the Columbia, and 

 its branches as may appear most interesting ; I shall make such stays 

 at each of the establishments as shall appear necessary, and as the extreme 

 distance does not exceed more than 800 miles, frequent journeys can 

 be made to and from each in the course of the season. I shall probably 

 reach the Rocky Mountains in August. In all probability a vessel will 

 soon arrive in the river, in which it is expected I will return, but as I 

 shall not be on the coast till November, if then, I will pack the whole of 

 my collection up to this time, to be transmitted in her to England ; also send 

 my package of seeds which I intended to carry across myself to Hudson's 

 Bay to the care of J. G. McTavish, and make extracts of my Journal, 

 although at this season it can be of but little interest to the Society. 



March 1st to 20th. During this period I was employed packing 

 the residue of my plants, birds, and other things in two boxes, to be sent 

 to England by the first ship, which is soon expected to arrive in the river. 

 Also making preparations for my journey to the interior. The whole of 

 this time was very rainy not so much as one dry day thermometer 

 40 to 45, minimum 28 to 34 ; winds westerly. By the kindness of Mr. 

 McLoughlin I was enabled to pack up thirty quires of paper weighing 

 102 lb., which, with the whole of my other articles, is by far more than 

 I could expect when the difficulty and labour of transportation is taken 

 into consideration. 



