82 ADDRESS. 



circumstances which may decide whether the furs of those parts 

 may not be collected as advantageously at the head of the Mis- 

 souri, (convenient as is supposed to the waters of the Colorado, 

 and Oregon or Columbia,) as at Nootka Sound, or at any other 

 point of that coast ; and that trade be consequently conducted 

 through the Missouri and United States more beneficially than 

 by the circumnavigation now practised. 



" On your arrival on that coast, endeavour to learn if there be 

 any port within your reach frequented by the sea vessels of any 

 nation, and to send two of your trusty people back by sea, in such 

 way as shall appear practicable, with a copy of your notes ; and 

 should you be of opinion that the return of your party by the way 

 they went will be imminently dangerous, then ship the whole, and 

 return by sea, by the way either of Cape Horn, or the Cape of 

 Good Hope, as you shall be able. As you will be without 

 money, clothes, or provisions, you must endeavour to use the 

 credit of the United States to obtain them ; for which purpose, 

 open letters of credit shall be furnished you, authorizing you to 

 draw on the executive of the United States, or any of its officers, 

 in any part of the world, on which draughts can be disposed of, 

 and to apply with our recommendations to the consuls, agents, 

 merchants, or citizens of any nation with which we have inter- 

 course, assuring them, in our own name, that any aids they may 

 furnish you shall be honourably repaid, and on demand. Our 

 consuls, Thomas Hewes, at Batavia, in Java ; William Buchanan, 

 in the Isles of France and Bourbon ; and John Elmslie, at the 

 Cape of Good Hope, will be able to supply your necessities, by 

 draughts on us. 



" Should you find it safe to return by the way you go, after 

 sending two of your party round by sea, or with your whole party, 

 if no conveyance by sea can be found, do so ; making such obser- 

 vations on your return as may serve to supply, correct, or confirm 

 those made on your outward journey. 



