314 Biographical Sketch of the late John Evans, M.D. 
“ Arrangements might then be made with the Indians for its purchase, 
and the best plan selected for its removal. It would be expedient to pro- 
cure the men and animals necessary in the Umpqua valley, east of the 
Coast Range of mountains, as Port Orford at present is quite a small set- 
tlement, although a ‘port of entry.’ The meteorite might be shipped 1D 
the California steamer to San Francisco, and from that port in a sail ves- 
sel round the Horn to Boston.” 
Dr. Evans estimates the appropriation required at from two to 
three thousand dollars. : ‘ 
At the General Land Office and Indian Bureau in Washing- 
ton, Dr. Evans ascertained that the right to this meteorite * vests 
in the Indians,” the land not yet having been ceded to the Uni- 
ted States, and any agreement made with them would be bind- 
ing, and the United States government could Jay no claim to It. 
Dr. Evans then adds: 
“ There would not be the slightest difficulty in making an arrangement 
with the Indians, for I am personally acquainted with their chiefs. The 
&c., as presents.” iG 
“ As to the cost of transportation of the meteorite to Port Orford, it 18 
difficult to make an accurate estimate. It is situated in a rapips rei 
region, thirty to thirty-five miles from the coast, and the only access nd 
is by mountain trails. It might be removed in pieces of from one h ws 
red to one hundred and fifty pounds in weight on pack mules; and ace 
rate measurements made of the w mass without great expense, SAY 
practicable or involve great expense, unless indeed a river pyrite 8% 
the mountain (Sixe’s River), and empties into the Faciie 
r, and 
such a heavy load. In either mode of transportation my first duty would 
be to explore this river. 
In another letter Dr. Evans says: “ As to the dimensions of the es 
orite I cannot speak with certainty, as no measurements were ay ds 
the time. But my recollection is, that four or five feet projec ; 
the surface of the mountain, that it was about the same num 
in width, and perhaps three or four feet in thickness; but it 1s 90 
deeply buried in the earth, as the country is very mountainous, > aiid 
heavily timbered, and subject to washings from rains and melting 0 nie 
in the spring, so that in a few years these causes might cover ¢” ve A” 
portion of it. The mass exposed was quite irregular in shape. ~~ Se 
In another letter Dr. Evans states concerning the meteori¢ ni 
“The locality is about forty miles from Port Ortord, in the ee . 
which rise almost directly from the coast, only accessible by pac mu 
3ut each mule might carry three hundred pounds weight, and if req 
