154 COLUMBIA RIVER. 



pany's officers, for the above purposes. She was completely fitted, 

 and delivered oyer to Mr. Burnie. The letters to Dr. M'Laughlin on 

 this subject will be found in Appendix V. In consequence of my 

 departure from the coast, I received no answer from him, but have 

 understood from other sources that the boat had been taken charge of. 

 Her construction was admirably adapted for that purpose, and I am 

 sure that if any disaster should occur, the assistance she will render 

 will be of great benefit. 



On the 5th, the prospect of passing the bar was favourable, and at 

 2 h 30 m p. m. the Company's bark Columbia, which had been lying off 

 and on for the last week, entered. On passing the vessels, she saluted 

 us and proceeded up the river to Astoria. At 3 h 30 m , I determined 

 on making the attempt to get to sea. We quickly got the vessels 

 under way, and in an hour afterwards we had passed the bar in 

 safety. 



The Cadborough followed our example, and went to sea also. Her 

 master, before we got under way, had strong misgivings as to un- 

 dertaking the risk at so late an hour both of the day and tide. The 

 vessels of the Hudson Bay Company never attempt to pass either in 

 or out, unless the opportunity is such as will warrant the master in 

 making the attempt. They consider that there is sufficient risk at 

 the best of times, and are unwilling to increase it. I have already 

 stated that the entrance to the Columbia is impracticable for two- 

 thirds of the year. This arises from the fact that it can never be 

 entered at night, and in the day only at particular times of the tide 

 and direction of the wind. Unlike all known ports, it requires both 

 the tide and wind to be contrary, to insure any degree of safety. 



Those who may desire to be farther informed on this subject, 

 are referred to the Hydrographical Memoir of the cruise. Having 

 succeeded in getting the brigs beyond the risk of detention, I gave 

 them orders to await my return, and went on board the tender, to 

 pass again into the river, for the purpose of completing all that 

 remained of the survey. The Company's bark Columbia had just 

 returned from- the northern posts. The master, Mr. Broughton, was 

 kind enough to give me much information respecting the northern 

 coasts, and the Indian tribes : he likewise presented the Expedition 

 with many curiosities of native workmanship, some of which showed 

 much ingenuity, particularly their pipes and masks. The latter 

 are used in their theatrical exhibitions, which are represented by 

 those who have witnessed them, as affording them much entertain- 



