130 COLUMBIA RIVER. 



blishment, with its well-stored granaries, stacks of grain, &c. All 

 showed that the crops had been plentiful, and gave ample proof of 

 the industry and success of agriculture. 



Soon after the wreck of the Peacock, Captain Hudson, hearing that 

 Dr. M'Laughlin was in want of hands to aid him in the harvest, 

 despatched the Kanakas belonging to the Peacock up to Vancouver, 

 to assist in gathering it. It afforded some little pleasure to con- 

 tribute this aid, and thus in some small degree to repay the attentions 

 and kindness of the Company's officers. 



While at Vancouver, my time was taken up by the astronomic and 

 magnetic observations. The former gave its position in longitude 

 122° 39' 34-6" W., and latitude 45° 36' 53" N. 



Having understood, from the gentlemen at Vancouver, that both 

 Mr. David Douglass and Captain Belcher had found some discre- 

 pancies in their magnetic observations, which were quite unaccount- 

 able ; and as they had experimented within the fort, I determined to 

 make mine in my tent, on the banks of the river, where no apparent 

 local attraction existed. There were, notwithstanding, some irregu- 

 larities which I could not account for. 



While I was thus engaged, Captain Hudson carried on the repairs 

 of the Oregon with great rapidity. The articles necessary for this 

 purpose, which we ourselves were not able to supply, were cheerfully 

 furnished us, at reasonable prices, from the stores and workshops of 

 the Company. Indeed, nothing could exceed the kind attentions that 

 were lavished upon us; and the moment we expressed a desire, it 

 was immediately complied with. 



On the 21st of September, Passed Midshipmen Eld and Colvoco- 

 ressis, with Mr. Brackenridge and party, arrived. Orders were 

 immediately given for them to join Lieutenant Emmons's party, 

 on the Willamette; and they were finally despatched on the tour 

 through to California. 



It will be remembered that Passed Midshipmen Eld and Colvoco- 

 ressis were ordered to make a journey through the Chickeeles 

 country, to Gray's Harbour, just as the ship was getting under way 

 from Nisqually, and that circumstances rendered their departure 

 more hurried than it was desirable it should be. But through the 

 kindness of Mr. Anderson and Captains M'Niel and Scarborough, 

 the party was not left in want of any thing very material. 



The party under command of Mr. Eld, consisted of Passed Mid- 



