368 WILLAMETTE VALLEY. 



accuses them of monopoly in consequence. The Company, on the 

 other hand, say that they have no idea of selling goods out of their 

 own stores, for the purpose of enabling others to enter into competi- 

 tion w-ith them ; and that they will spare no expense to keep the 

 trade, as long as they can, in their own hands. This is certainly not 

 unfair. I cannot help feeling it is quite unsuited to the life of a 

 missionary, to be entering into trade of any kind. To embark in 

 traffic must, I think, tend to destroy the usefulness of a missionary, 

 or divert his attention from the great cause in which he is engaged. 

 I am very far from attaching any blame on this account to the mis- 

 sionaries, whose avowed object is to teach the arts of civilization, as 

 well as the Word of God, and I have no doubt that they are doing all 

 in their power to promote the latter object; but I am disposed to 

 think, that any complaints against the Hudson Bay Company for 

 endeavouring to keep the trade in their own hands, comes with an 

 ill grace from the members of a mission who are daily receiving the 

 kindest attentions and hospitality from its officers. 



Mr. Waller and his wife gave us a kind welcome, and insisted 

 upon our taking dinner with them. As they have no servants, Mrs. 

 Waller prepared the dinner, while Mr. Waller took care of the out- 

 door business. Though the house was built of rough materials, it 

 was very evident that neatness and order prevailed. Her manage- 

 ment of the home-made cooking-stove, which stood in the room, 

 claimed my admiration. At the same time she made herself quite 

 agreeable ; and although she had many, very many things to contend 

 with, appeared quite satisfied v,-ith her lot and condition. 



After we had partaken of our dinner, consisting of salmon and tea 

 with bread and butter, Mr. Waller took us to see the falls. On our 

 wa}^ thither, he pointed out a log house that had been built by the 

 agent of Mr. Slocum, in order to secure the right of site or mill-privi- 

 leges. The Hudson Bay Company have gone to considerable expense 

 in blasting the rock for a mill-race for the same purpose ; but from 

 appearances, this work has remained untouched for several years. 



The falls of Willamette are about twenty feet in height, and 

 probably offer the best mill-sites of any place in the neighbouring 

 country. Being at the head of navigation for sea-vessels, and near 

 the great wheat-growing valley of the Willamette, it must be a place 

 of great resort. A Mr. Moore, from the Western States, whom I saw 

 on the Willamette, informed me that he had taken possession of the 

 west side of the falls, under a purchase from an old Indian chief. 



