COLUMBIA RIVER. 337 



which was in full bloom. After passing extensive carnmass plains, 

 we reached the Company's farm on the Cowlitz, which occupies an 

 extensive prairie on the banks of that river. 



They have here six or seven hundred acres enclosed, and under 

 cultivation, with several large granaries, a large farm-house, and 

 numerous out-buildings to accommodate the dairy, workmen, cattle, 

 &c. The grounds appear well prepared, and were covered with a 

 luxuriant crop of wheat. At the farther end of the prairie was to be 

 seen a settlement, with its orchards, &c., and between the trees, the 

 chapel and parsonage of the Catholic Mission gave an air of civiliza- 

 tion to the whole. The degree of progress resembled that of a settle- 

 ment of several years' standing in our Western States, with the 

 exception, however, of the remains of the conquered forest ; for here 

 the ground is ready for the plough, and nature seems as it were to 

 invite the husbandman to his labours. 



We were kindly received by Mr. Forrest, the superintendent, who 

 quickly made arrangements for canoes to carry us down the Cowlitz 

 and Columbia rivers to Astoria, or Fort George. He also provided us 

 with an excellent repast, and pressed us to remain over night, which 

 we would gladly have done, had I not found that it would be impos- 

 sible for us to reach Astoria the next day if we did so. 



At this farm the Company have a large dairy, and are about erect- 

 ing a saw and grist mill. The superintendent's dwelling is large, and 

 built of well-hewn logs ; with the workmen's houses, &c., it forms 

 quite a village. 



Large numbers of cattle were being brought in for the night, which 

 is a very necessary precaution in Oregon, in consequence of the 

 numerous wolves that are prowling about; in some places it becomes 

 necessary for the keeper to protect his beasts even in the daytime. 

 The cattle, at times, suffer from drought, in which case the Indians 

 are sent across the river to cut fodder for them, in order to avoid send- 

 ing the cattle to the cammass plains, where they would be subject to 

 the loss of all their young. 



The farm at the Cowlitz has no sort of defences about it, proving, 

 as far as the Indians are concerned, that there is no danger of being 

 molested ; indeed their numbers here are too small to enable them to 

 attempt any aggression, and their dependence on the Company, for 

 both food and clothing, too complete to allow them to quarrel, except 

 among themselves ; and of such disputes the agent of the Company 

 takes no sort of notice. The Indians belong to the Klackatack tribe, 



VOL. IV. 85 



