150 COLUMBIA RIVER. 



The whole territory may, therefore, be considered as containing 

 about twenty thousand Indians; and this, from a careful revision of 

 the data obtained by myself and some of the officers, I am satisfied, is 

 rather above than under the truth. The whites and half-breeds were 

 between seven and eight hundred. One hundred and fifty were 

 Americans. The number of the latter has, however, increased very 

 much since the year 1840, as many emigrants have crossed the 

 mountains. The decrease of the red race is, no doubt, equivalent to 

 the increase by immigration. 



The surveying parties having returned, on the 14th we took leave 

 of Vancouver. After proceeding down to the mouth of the Willa- 

 mette, we anchored, for the purpose of finishing the soundings and 

 making an examination of the channels into which the river is here 

 divided by a few islands. 



This work being completed, we dropped down several miles, to 

 overtake the sounding parties. Here we were a good deal annoyed 

 from the burning of the prairies by the Indians, which filled the atmo- 

 sphere with a dense smoke, and gave the sun the appearance of 

 being viewed through a smoked glass. We were, fortunately, in a 

 great degree, independent of it, as it was not necessary to see more 

 than a short distance, to discover the signals for the soundings. It 

 however prevented me from verifying my astronomical stations, which 

 I was desirous of doing. 



Acting-Master Sinclair, who had been despatched to Vancouver 

 for some articles belonging to the Oregon, that had been left there, 

 joined us below Warrior's Point, on the 19th, with letters and news 

 that had been brought from the United States by an over-land party. 

 These letters were very acceptable, as we had not received any 

 advices from home for twenty-two months, and tended to revive our 

 spirits, as well as encourage- our exertions. On the 20th, we anchored 

 again off Coffin Rock, near which we found a depth of twenty-five 

 fathoms, which is the deepest water within the capes. This place is 

 sixty miles from the mouth of the river, and eight miles above the 

 confluence of the Cowlitz. The shores here are composed of trap 

 and a conglomerate, the last of which is the same rock as that which 

 occurs below, and has already been spoken of. The Coffin Rock, 

 which is not more than sixty feet in diameter, and twelve feet above 

 the water, appears to have been exclusively reserved for the burial of 

 chiefs. Dr. Holmes procured here some fine specimens of Flathead 



