OVERLAND EXPEDITION TO SAN FRANCISCO. 275 



a small stream, and answers both for a dwelling and a grist- 

 mill. 



When breakfast was over, our friend furnished us with 

 horses, and we rode on in the direction of the encampment. 

 We passed many farms of from thirty to one hundred acres, 

 belonging to Canadians who had been in the service of the 

 Hudson's Bay Company ; they liked the country, and appeared 

 very comfortable and thriving. We saw a large mumber of 

 cattle, horses, and sheep, grazing in the surrounding fields. 

 From 12 to 1 P.M., we halted, to partake of dinner and rest the 

 horses ; another short ride brought us to the American settle- 

 ment. There were many things here to remind us of home ; 

 among others, a good road, well inclosed fields, a blacksmith- 

 shop, and a school-house. This is the largest and most pros- 

 perous settlement in all Oregon. It is situated on the banks 

 of the Willamette River, on a fertile plain of many miles in 

 extent ; the soil is adapted to the growth of wheat, rye, and 

 Irish potatoes ; horned cattle and sheep also, thrive here admi- 

 rably. The climate of this portion of Oregon is so mild that 

 stock is never kept up during the winter months, and barns are 

 only used for storing the grain. The Methodists have a Mis- 

 sion Station here, and some of the best lands are owned by it. 



Near the settlement we forded the river, and shortly after 

 we arrived at the encampment of our party. We were glad 

 to find that the sick alluded to by Mr. Cone, had recovered, 

 and in the course of a day or two we should be able to set 

 out on our intended journey. 



On Sunday, the Rev. Mr. Leslie performed Divine Service 

 at his residence, on the opposite side of the river, and as many 

 of our officers attended as could be spared ; Mr. Leslie is a 

 member of the Methodist Mission established in the valley, 

 and enjoys better reputation among the settlers than most of 



