COLUMBIA RIVER. 
123 
The Columbia river was now very different in appearance from 
what it had been in the month of June. The stream was confined 
within its narrowest limits, and was nineteen feet below high-water 
mark. 
The Indians were now encamped on the strands, over which the 
volume of water had rushed, in its swollen state, with irresistible 
force. Vancouver exhibited the aspect of an extensive farming esta¬ 
blishment, with its well-stored granaries, stacks of grain, &c. All 
showed that the crops had been plentiful, and gave ample proof of the 
industry and success of agriculture. 
Soon after the wreck of the Peacock, Captain Hudson, hearing that 
Dr. M’Laughlin was in want of hands to aid him in the harvest, 
despatched the Kanakas belonging to the Peacock up to Vancouver, to 
assist in gathering it. It afforded some little pleasure to contribute 
this aid, and thus in some small degree to repay the attentions and 
kindness of the Company’s officers. 
While at Vancouver, my time was taken up by the astronomic and 
magnetic observations. The former gave its position in longitude 
122° 39' 34-6" W., and latitude 45° 36' 53" N. 
Having understood, from the gentlemen at Vancouver, that both 
Mr. David Douglas and Captain Belcher had found some discrepan¬ 
cies in their magnetic observations, which were quite unaccountable; 
and as they had experimented within the fort, I determined to make 
mine in my tent, on the banks of the river, where no apparent local 
attraction existed. There were, notwithstanding, some irregularities 
which I could not account for. 
While I was thus engaged, Captain Hudson carried on the repairs 
of the Oregon with great rapidity. The articles necessary for this 
purpose which we ourselves were not able to supply, were cheerfully 
furnished us, at reasonable prices, from the stores and workshops of 
the Company. Indeed, nothing could exceed the kind attentions that 
were lavished upon us; and the moment we expressed a desire, it 
was immediately complied with. 
On the 1st of September, Passed Midshipmen Eld and Colvocoressis, 
with Mr. Brackenridge and party, arrived. Orders were immediately 
given for them to join Lieutenant Emmons’s party, on the Willamette ; 
and they were finally despatched on the tour through to California. 
It will be remembered that Passed Midshipmen Eld and Colvocores¬ 
sis were ordered to make a journey through the Chickeeles country, to 
Grav’s Harbour, just as the ship was getting under way from Nisqually, 
and that circumstances rendered their departure more hurried than it 
was desirable it should be. But through the kindness of Mr. Anderson 
