350 COLUMBIA RIVER. 



ceded him. He is a tall fine-looking person, of a very robust frame, 

 with a frank manly open countenance, and a florid complexion ; his 

 hair is perfectly white. He gave us that kind reception we had been 

 led to expect from his well-known hospitality. He is of Scotch 

 parentage, but by birth a Canadian, enthusiastic in disposition, pos- 

 sessing great energy of character, and extremely well suited for the 

 situation he occupies, which requires great talent and industry. He 

 at once ordered dinner for us, and we soon felt ourselves at home, 

 having comfortable rooms assigned us, and being treated as part of 

 the establishment. 



The situation of Vancouver is favourable for agricultural purposes, 

 and it may be said to be the head of navigation for sea-going vessels. 

 A vessel of fourteen feet draft of water, may reach it in the lowest 

 state of the river. The Columbia at this point makes a considera- 

 ble angle, and is divided by two islands, which extend upwards 

 about three miles, to where the upper branch of the Willamette 

 joins it. The shores of these islands are covered with trees, con- 

 sisting of ash, poplars, pines, and oaks, while the centre is generally 

 prairie, and lower than the banks : they are principally composed of 

 sand. During the rise of the river in May and June, the islands 

 are covered with water, that filters through the banks that are not 

 overflowed. This influx renders them unfit for grain crops, as the 

 coldness of the water invariably destroys every cultivated plant it 

 touches. 



The Company's establishment at Vancouver is upon an extensive 

 scale, and is worthy of the vast interest of which it is the centre. 

 The residents mess at several tables : one for the chief factor and his 

 clerks ; one for their wives (it being against the regulations of the 

 Company for their officers and wives to take their meals together) ; 

 another for the missionaries; and another for the sick and the Catholic 

 missionaries. All is arranged in the best order, and I should think 

 with great economy. Every thing may be had within the fort : 

 they have an extensive apothecary shop, a bakery, blacksmiths' and 

 coopers' shops, trade-offices for buying, others for selling, others again 

 for keeping accounts and transacting business ; shops for retail, where 

 English manufactured articles may be purchased at as low a price, if 

 not cheaper, than in the United States, consisting of cotton and woollen 

 goods, ready made clothing, ship chandlery, earthen and iron ware, and 

 fancy articles ; in short, every thing, and of every kind and descrip- 

 tion, including all sorts of groceries, at an advance of eighty per cent. 



