152 COLUMBIA RIVER. 



the south side, while I surveyed the northern passage. The latter 

 is about four miles in length. 



Puget Island affords no land fit for cultivation, and during the 

 season of freshets is overflowed. It is fringed around its borders 

 with cotton-wood, willow, pines, and hazel, &c. ; but it may be con- 

 sidered valueless. 



At this anchorage I was joined by Michel la Framboise, who 

 brought a supply of fresh beef for the crew, which they were in 

 much need of. Since I had first seen Michel, I had learned more of 

 his history and the cause which led him to complain of a want of 

 advancement. I regret to say, that, like many others, he ought to 

 look to himself as the cause of his misfortune, instead of indulging: 

 in causeless complaints. 



He confirmed much of the information I had received, and o-ave 

 me full statements of the population, which I found to agree with 

 what he had already imparted to officers belonging to the Company, 

 as well as the Expedition. 



I questioned him relative to the stories respecting the shooting of 

 Indians, on the route to and from California, and he told me they 

 had no battles, but said it was necessary to keep them always at a 

 distance. On my repeating the question, whether the reports we had 

 heard of several being killed during the late expedition were true, 

 he, Frenchman-like, shrugged his shoulders and answered : " Ah, 

 monsieur, ils sont des mauvaises gens: il faut en prendre garde et 

 tirer sur eux quelquefois." 



On the 29th of September we again reached the Pillar Rock, and 

 on the 3d of October we passed through the Tongue Point Channel. 

 Before doing this, we took the precaution to buoy it out, and then 

 towed the vessels through at high water. This enabled me to lay 

 down its tortuous course with accuracy, although I was aware that 

 there is little probability of its remaining over the season without 

 some material change. The new and direct channel discovered by 

 us, leading up from Tongue Point, will supersede the necessity of 

 using it, and from its direct course, is more likely to be permanent; 

 but the channels in this river will be always more or less subject to 

 change, from the impediments the large trees drifting down cause, 

 when they ground on the shoals. 



The same evening we anchored about two miles above Astoria, and 

 in order to lose no time, I proceeded there in my boat to make ar- 



