]56 COLUMBIA RIVER. 



next day she hove in sight, and the arrangements were soon com- 

 pleted. I now supplied the tender with water and other requisites, 

 and gave Mr. Knox orders to take a few more soundings on the 

 outside of the bar, and then proceed along the coast as far as lati- 

 tude 42° N., and to examine it, and the mouth of the Umpqua. 



In company with the Oregon, we now bore away to the southward, 

 with a fine breeze from the northward and westward, glad to leave the 

 Columbia river behind us. 



Previous to leaving the Columbia river, I addressed the following 

 letter to Dr. M'Laughlin and Mr. Douglass. 



U. S. Brig Porpoise, 



Baker's Bay, 



October 5th, 1841. 



Gentlemen, 



My last duty, before leaving the Columbia, I feel to be that of 

 expressing to you my sincere thanks for the important aid and facili- 

 ties which you have afforded the Expedition on all occasions, for 

 carrying out the object of our visit to this part of the world ; and be 

 assured it will prove a very pleasing part of my duty to make a due 

 representation of it to my government. 



Your personal kindness and friendly attentions to myself and 

 officers, from our first arrival, and also to Captain Hudson and his 

 officers after the wreck of the Peacock, have laid me under many 

 obligations, which I trust it may be at some future day in our power 

 to return. 



We all would request through you an expression of our feelings 

 for the many attentions and kindnesses received, and the pleasures 

 afforded us by the officers of the Hudson Bay Company's service, with 

 whom we have had any intercourse, which will be long remembered 

 with pleasure. 



With my sincere wishes for the health, happiness, and prosperity 

 of yourselves and families, 



I am, very truly, 



Your obedient servant, 



Charles Wilkes, 



Commanding Exploring Expedition. 



To John M'Laughlin and 

 James Douglass, Esquires, 



Chief Factors, H. B. C. Service, Vancouver. 



