14 RENDEZVOUS OF OREGON EMIGRANTS. 



objects every way worthy of attention, and vested with an importance that 

 would render my excursion not a mere idle jaunt for the gratification of 

 selfish curiosity. This much by way of prelude, — now to the task in hand. 



While yet undecided as to the most advisable mode of prosecuting my 

 intended enterprise, on learning that a party of adventurers were rendez- 

 voused at Westport, Mo., preparatory to their long and arduous journey to 

 the new-formed settlements of the Columbia river, I hastened to that place, 

 where I arrived in the month of May, 1841, with the design of becoming 

 one of their number. In this, however, I was doomed to disappointment 

 by being too late. A few weeks subsequent marked the return of several 

 fur companies, from their annual excursions to the Indian tribes inhabiting 

 the regions adjacent to the head-waters of the Platte and Arkansas rivers, 

 whose outward trips are performed in the fall months. Impatient at delay 

 and despairing of a more eligible opportunity, for at least some time to come, 

 I made prompt arrangements with one of them, to accompany it, en route, 

 as far as the Rocky Mountains, intending to proceed thereafter as circum- 

 stances or inclination might suggest. This plan of travelling was adhered 

 to, notwithstanding the detention of some three months, which retarded its 

 prosecution. 



I would here beg indulgence of the reader to a seeming digression. The 

 pecuhar locality of the places to whose vicinity he is now introduced, owing 

 to the deep interest cherished in the public mind relative to the Oregon coun- 

 try, will doubtless call for more than a mere passing notice : I allude to the 

 towns of Independence and Westport. Situated as they are, at the utmost 

 verge of civilization, and upon the direct route to Oregon and regions adja- 

 cent, they must retain and command, as the great starting points for emigrants 

 and traders, that importance already assumed by general consent. Their 

 facilities of access from all parts of the Union, both by land and water, are 

 nowhere exceeded. The proud Missouri rolls its turbid waves within six 

 miles of either place, opening the highway of steam communication, while 

 numberless prime roads that converge from every direction, point to them as 

 their common focus. Thus, the staid New Englander may exchange his na- 

 tive hills for the frontier prairies in the short interval of two weeks ; and in 

 half that time the citizen of the sunny South may reach the appointed ren- 

 dezvous ; and, nearer by, the hardy emigrant may commence his long over- 

 land journey, from his own door, fully supplied with all the necessaries for 

 its successful termination. 



Independence is the seat of justice for Jackson county. Mo., about four 

 hundred miles west by north of St. Louis, and contains a population of 

 nearly two thousand. Westport is a small town in the same county, near 

 the mouth of the Kansas river, — three miles from the Indian territory, and 

 thirty below the U. S. Dragoon station at Fort Leavenworth. The regular 

 routes to Santa Fe and Oregon date their commencement at these places. 

 The country in this vicinity is beginning to be generally settled by thrifty 

 farmers, from whom all the articles necessary for travellers and traders, may 

 be procured upon reasonable terms. 



Starting from either of the above points, a short ride bears the adventurer 

 across the state line, and aflbrds him the opportunity of taking his ini- 

 tiatory lessons amid the realities of prairie life. Here, most of the trading 

 and emigrant companies remain encamped for several weeks, to recruit 



