434 Expedition to the 



In the evening, and on the following morning, observations 

 were taken to ascertain the magnetic variation, which was 

 found to be 135° east. 



On the morning of the 10th, we crossed Beaver creek, six 

 miles southwest of our encampment. Here we were com- 

 pelled to carry across our baggage by hand, the creek being 

 too deep and muddy to admit risking it on the pack-horses. 



In fording this difficult stream, we had the misfortune 

 to lose an important part of the lock of an air-gun, and as 

 there were no means of replacing the lost article, it was de- 

 termined to send back the gun, from the Pawnee villages by 

 one of the traders, who was soon to return to the Missouri. 



While we were encamped at this spot, being detained by a 

 heavy shower, three Frenchmen, and two Indians, arrived at 

 the ford, on their way to the Pawnee villages. They told us 

 they had eaten nothing since they left the Missouri. One of 

 the Frenchmen brought a letter from lieutenant Graham, and 

 a box containing a quantity of vaccine virus, transmitted to the 

 exploring party, for the purpose of introducing vaccination 

 among the Indians. The box alluded to, had been sent to the 

 war department, by Mr. Sylvanus Fancher, a gentleman in 

 Connecticut, and forwarded to the commanding officer of the 

 expedition. It contained a considerable quantity of virus, 

 carefully enclostd in a variety of packing apparatus, together 

 with instructions relative to the disposition and applica- 

 tion of it. But as it was not transmitted till after the depar- 

 ture of the expedition, from Pittsburgh, it had been forwarded 

 by mail to St. Louis, whence it was conveyed up the Missouri, 

 by a gentleman of the military expedition, under Colonel 

 Atkinson. Unfortunately, the keel-boat, on board of which 

 it had been deposited, was wrecked in ascending the river, 

 and the box and its contents, although saved from the wreck, 

 was thoroughly drenched, and the virus completely ruined. 

 It was received three or four weeks after the catastrophe 

 just mentioned, and was still drenched with water. 



