WALLAWALLA. 419 



incapable of supporting any human being. It consists of coarse un- 

 bolted bread, dried salmon, fat (tallow), and dried peas. I am satis- 

 fied that no American would submit to such food : the Canadian and 

 Iroquois Indians use it without murmuring, except to strangers, to 

 whom they complain much of their scanty pay and food. The dis- 

 cipline is strict, and of an arbitrary kind ; yet they do not find fault 

 with it. In Appendix XV., will be found one of the agreements of 

 the Hudson Bay Company. Very few of those who embark or join 

 this Company's service ever leave the part of the country they have 

 been employed in ; for after the expiration of the first five years, they 

 ustially enlist for three more. This service of eight years in a life 

 of so much adventure and hazard, attaches them to it, and they gene- 

 rally continue until they become old men ; when, being married, and 

 having families by Indian women, they retire under the auspices 

 of the Company, to some small farm, either on the Red or Columbia 

 rivers. There is no allowance stipulated for their wives or children ; 

 but one is usually made, if they have been useful. If a man dies, 

 leaving a family, although the Company is not under any obligation 

 to provide for them, they are generally taken care of The oflacers of 

 the Company are particularly strict in preventing its servants from 

 deserting their wives; and none can abandon them without much 

 secresy and cunning. In cases of this sort, the individual is arrested 

 and kept under restraint until he binds himself with security not 

 to desert his family. The chief officers of the Company hold the 

 power of magistrates over their own people ; and are bound to send 

 fugitives or criminals back to Canada for trial, where the courts take 

 cognizance of the offences. This perhaps is as salutary and effectual 

 a preventive against crime, as could be found, even if the courts were 

 at hand ; for whether innocent or guilty, the individual must suffer 

 great loss by being dragged from the little property he possesses. 

 The community of old voyageurs, settled in Oregon, are thus con- 

 strained to keep a strict watch upon their behaviour; and, although 

 perhaps against their inclinations, are obliged to conform to the 

 wishes of those whose employ they have left. 



The brigade, after remaining at Wallawalla till the 8th, took their 

 departure. In taking leave of Mr. Ogden, I must express the great 

 indebtedness I am under, for his attentions and kindness to Mr. 

 Drayton, as well as for the facility he offered him for obtaining 

 information during their progress up the Columbia. I am also under 

 obligations to him for much interesting information respecting this 



