LIFE AT VANCOUVER. 259 



return, and also complimented us upon the result of our 

 labors. 



On leaving Captain W. we took a walk in and about the 

 famous fort, and then repaired on board the " Porpoise." 



September 1st. This morning I received other orders, 

 namely, to be ready to join the Overland Expedition to Cali- 

 fornia, commanded by Lieutenant Emmons. It is already or- 

 ganized and encamped on the banks of the Willamette River, 

 and will, I am informed, consist, besides myself, of the follow- 

 ing individuals : — Lieutenant Emmons, Mr. Eld, Dr. Whittle ; 

 Mr. Peale, naturalist ; Mr. Rich, botanist ; Mr. Dana, geolo- 

 gist ; Mr. A. T. Agate, artist ; Mr. Brackenridge, assistant- 

 botanist ; sergeant Stearns ; corporal Hughes ; privates Smith 

 and Marsh ; seamen Sutton, Doughty, Merza, Walthan ; 

 Batist Guardipee, guide. 



I understand the object of the Expedition originally was to 

 explore the country as far as the Shaste Mountains, and then 

 return to Vancouver by a different route. 



Mr. Emmons is here attending to the procuring of stores, 

 and will return to the camp to-morrow. 



The following sketch of a life at Vancouver, by one who 

 spent some weeks there, may be interesting : — 



" Fort Vancouver is the depot at which are brought the furs 

 collected west of the Rocky Mountains, and from which they 

 are shipped to England, and also the place at which all the 

 goods for the trade are landed, and from which they are 

 distributed to the various posts of that territory by vessels, 

 batteaux, or pack-animals, as the various routes permit. It 

 was established by Governor Simpson in 1824, as the great 

 centre of all commercial operations in Oregon ; is situated in a 

 beautiful plain on the north bank of the Columbia, ninety 

 miles from the sea, and stands 400 yards from the water's 



