COLUMBIA RIVER. 
115 
themselves with a blanket, slept as sound as if on beds of down. I 
happened to see them arising in the morning, and they appeared re¬ 
freshed and perfectly content, although it had rained hard all night. 
These men were exceedingly fond of rum, the hope of obtaining 
which, when the daily ration was served out, was the great induce¬ 
ment that led them to accompany our parties. 
These two were good specimens of the Flathead Indians, and I was 
therefore pleased at having an opportunity of sketching them with the 
camera lucida, of which sketches the cuts on the opposite page are 
copies. 
Before I reached Astoria, Captain Varney, of the brig Thomas H. 
Perkins, had proposed to sell his vessel to the government, provided he 
could arrange his affairs w T ith Dr. M’Laughlin. I now learned that 
Dr. M’Laughlin had arrived at Astoria, for which place I set out in 
the afternoon, in company with Captain Hudson. We embarked in the 
tender, but after proceeding some distance, we found it impossible to 
reach Astoria. We therefore returned to Baker’s Bay, which we had 
some difficulty in reaching. 
The next day we succeeded in reaching Astoria, and found that the 
arrangements for the purchase of the brig could be effected, and I 
therefore bought her for the United States for nine thousand dollars, 
after having her thoroughly examined by the carpenters of the squadron. 
On taking possession of this brig, I changed her name to that of “the 
Oregon.” 
This acquisition released me from much anxiety, by providing 
accommodations for the crew of the Peacock, and at the same time 
affording a suitable vessel to continue the operations of the squadron. 
Captain Hudson took charge of the Oregon, and the alterations neces¬ 
sary to adapt her for this service were at once commenced. After 
making these arrangements, Dr. M’Laughlin departed for Vancouver. 
He gave a passage to Messrs. Hale and Dana, Messrs. Peale and Rich 
having previously gone up the river. These gentlemen had already 
visited the country around the mouth of the Columbia, every opportu¬ 
nity having been afforded them by Captain Hudson. Several of the 
officers visited the mountain ranges, but did not succeed in ascending 
the highest peaks. 
During the occupation of Astoria by the Expedition, the place became 
quite civilized-looking, in comparison to what it was on my first arrival, 
and a mart for all the commodities of the country. Besides our own 
men, there were many Indians to be seen lounging and moving about, 
seeking employment, or w r ith some small articles to sell. 
Short excursions were made by many of us in the vicinity, and one 
