262 SOUTH E It N R EG N. 



found themselves on the banks of the Feather river. There is a 

 difficulty in fording this stream, on account of the quicksands; and 

 the first time they attempted it, the guide and his horse were nearly 

 lost. To swim the river was equally impracticable, in the weak and 

 worn-out state of their animals. They therefore proceeded down its 

 bank, looking for a ford. On their way, Inass killed a wild cow, 

 one of a herd of ten. It is said that the wild cattle, which have 

 originated from the animals that have escaped from the herds passing 

 through the country to Oregon, are increasing very fast. 



They encamped in a beautiful oak grove, near the junction of the 

 Feather river with the Sacramento. The two rivers are of about the 

 same size, being each seventy yards wide. The waters of the Feather 

 are clear, and in many places deep ; the banks are, as usual, lined 

 with sycamore, cotton- wood, and oak, and were at this time about 

 twenty-five feet above the stream. It appears to be navigable for 

 boats. The party succeeded in fording it on the 18th, within two 

 miles of the junction. Near the ford, the Indians had an extensive 

 burial-ground, marked by a vast number of skulls and bones, that lie 

 scattered around in all directions, and are said to be all that remains 

 of a once powerful tribe, that has been swept off by disease. 



They then proceeded on to Captain Suter's, where they arrived the 

 next day. 



The officers appear to have entered this valley with a high idea 

 of its fruitfulness, and with the expectation of finding the soil abound- 

 ing with every thing that could make it desirable for the abode of the 

 agriculturist, and susceptible of prodiicing all that can add to the 

 comfort or convenience of man. It is not surprising that they should 

 have been sadly disappointed, when they beheld a large part of it 

 barren, and destitute even of pasturage, wffiile that which is fertile is 

 liable to be annually overflowed. The high prairie is equally gra- 

 velly and unfertile. Yet it is necessary to say there is a sufficient 

 quantity of good soil to make it a valuable agricultural country, and 

 that it would be capable of affording subsistence to a large number of 

 inhabitants, more, however, from the extraordinary fertility of these 

 grounds than from their extent. 



After leaving Captain Suter's, or New Helvetia, the party divided. 

 The detachment under Lieutenant Emmons, with Messrs. Dana, 

 Agate, Colvocoressis, and Dr. Whittle, embarked in the Vincennes' 

 launch, which met them a short distance below that place, and 

 reached San Francisco at eight o'clock p. m. on the 24th. 



