COLUMBIA RIVER. 



121 



therefore pleased at having an opportunity of sketching them with 

 the camera lucida, of which sketches the annexed cuts are copies. 



Before I reached Astoria, Captain Varney, of the brig Thomas H. 

 Perkins, had proposed to sell his vessel to the government, provided 

 he could arrange his affairs with Dr. M'Laughlin. I now learned 

 that Dr. M'Laughlin had arrived at Astoria, for which place I set 

 out in the afternoon, in company with Captain Hudson. We em- 

 barked in the tender, but after proceeding some distance, we found it 

 impossible to reach Astoria. We therefore returned to Baker's Bay, 

 which we had some difficulty in reaching. 



The next day we succeeded in reaching Astoria, and found that 

 the arrangements for the purchase of the brig could be effected, and 

 I therefore bought her for the United States for nine thousand dol- 

 lars, after having her thoroughly examined by the carpenters of the 

 squadron. On taking possession of this brig, I changed her name to 

 that of " the Oregon." 



This acquisition released me from much anxiety, by providing 

 accommodations for the crew of the Peacock, and at the same time 

 affording a suitable vessel to continue the operations of the squadron. 

 Captain Hudson took charge of the Oregon, and the alterations 

 necessary to adapt her for this service were at once commenced. 

 After making these arrangements, Dr. M'Laughlin departed for 

 Vancouver. He gave a passage to Messrs. Hale and Dana, Messrs. 

 Peale and Rich having previously gone up the river. These gen- 

 tlemen had already visited the country around the mouth of the 

 Columbia, every opportunity having been afforded them by Captain 



VOL. V. 31 



