238 NORTHWEST COAST OF AMERICA. 



of the Hudson's Bay Company. He left Vancouver about a 

 week since, and he expressed his regrets at not being able to 

 reach Nisqually in time to be present at the celebration of the 

 Fourth ; he lost his way, when about a hundred miles from the 

 fort. He is a tall, dignified-looking man, with a fair com- 

 plexion, and I should judge his age to be nearly seventy. 

 He is of Scotch extraction, but by birth a Canadian. He 

 has been in the employ of the Company upwards of forty 

 years, and is said to be pre-eminently fitted for the situation 

 he occupies, being a man of great energy of character, and 

 much talent. 



Captain Wilkes conducted him around the ship, and he 

 seemed much pleased. 



On his leaving, to return to the shore, the yards were 

 manned, and three cheers were given him, in a manner which 

 showed that we appreciated his kindness towards us; they 

 were three very hearty cheers. 



July 16th. To-day, Mr. Johnson and party returned from 

 the interior. They speak favorably of the country passed 

 over, and of the Indians they fell in with. At a place called 

 Chimikane, they found two missionaries, Messrs. Walker 

 and Eel, whose labors had been attended with remarkable 

 success. Among other duties, they had taught the Indians 

 the art of cultivation, and many of them now subsist entirely 

 on the produce which they raise on their lands. 



As nothing has yet been heard from the " Peacock," which, 

 on leaving the Sandwich Islands, was ordered to visit the 

 King's Mill Group, and then meet the rest of the squadron 

 at the Columbia River, fears are entertained by many, that 

 she has met with some serious accident. 



