OBSERVATIONS ON NISQUALLY. 241 



return to Nisqually. I will, therefore, here offer all the addi- 

 tional observations which I have to make, regarding it. Its 

 situation is a bad one for trade, as the anchorage is so small 

 that only a few vessels can be accommodated within a proper 

 distance from the shore ; and the long hill which it is neces- 

 sary to ascend, in order to get to the fort, is a serious objec- 

 tion to its becoming a place of deposit for merchandize, as it 

 would very much increase the labor and expense of transporta- 

 tion. Many better places than Nisqually could be found, for 

 a location of a town in the same part of the Sound, and it is a 

 matter of wonder to me, why they were not preferred. 



The fort is constructed of pickets, inclosing an area of 

 about two hundred and fifty feet square, with four corner bas- 

 tions. Within this space are the Agent's stores, and about 

 half-a-dozen log-houses. The fort, when constructed, was 

 thought to be large enough, but since it has become an agri- 

 cultural post, as well as a trading one, it is found too small, 

 and Mr. Anderson thought it would be enlarged in the course 

 of a year or two. I was in the garden several times, and 

 found it to be under good cultivation; the onions, turnips, 

 peas, &c, &c, all looked very thriving. 



The surrounding country is said to be very healthy, and 

 the winter to be mild and of short duration. The Indians in 

 the neighborhood are not numerous, perhaps the whole num- 

 ber not exceeding three hundred. They belong to the tribes 

 who compress their heads, and they are vicious and exceed- 

 ingly lazy ; I have frequently gone into their tents in the 

 middle of the day, and found every member of the family 

 asleep. They are also inveterate gamblers, carrying the vice 

 to the extent of staking their wives and children, and even 

 themselves, for years of slavery ! their clothing consists of a 

 blanket, a pair of skin breeches, and moccasins. 



