COLUMBIA RIVER. 
137 
power. He is notwithstanding extremely unpopular among all classes 
of our countrymen, but for what reason it is difficult to conceive. 
Dr. M’Laughlin obligingly favoured me with the heights of the 
stopping-places, or encampments, on the route that is usually taken bv 
their parties crossing the Rocky Mountains: the results were obtained 
by the boiling point of water. The journey was made during the 
months of August, September, and October, 1839. 
WATER BOILS. HEIGHT DEDUCED. 
August 29th, at 
Edmonton, 
207° 
2566 feet. 
September 22d, “ 
Jasper’s House, 
204-5 
3867 
“ 29th, “ 
Camp d’Origal, 
203-5 
4391 
“ 30th, “ 
Camp de Fusil, 
201 
5716 
M 44 44 
Punchbowl, 
198 
7324 
44 44 44 
Head of Grand Cot6, 
202 
5188 
October 1st, “ 
Bottom of Grand Cote, 
204 
4131 
“ 3d, 
Boat Encampment, 
205 
3607 
“ 8th, 
Colville, 
208 
2049 
“ 14th, 
W allawalla, . 
209-5 
1286 
This may be considered as a near approximation to the true height, 
and at several of the places where the barometer has been also used, 
there is a very close coincidence in the results. 
The instrument used for the experiment was one of Newman’s make, 
and exceedingly convenient for such purposes, offering great facility in 
use, without the danger of accident from its size. 
The trade and operations of the Hudson Bay Company are exten¬ 
sive, and the expense with which they are attended is very great. 
I am inclined to think that it is hardly possible for any one to form an 
exact estimate of the amount of profit they derive from their business 
on the west side of the mountains. The stock of the Company cer¬ 
tainly pays a large dividend ; and it is asserted that in addition a very 
considerable surplus has been accumulated to meet any emergency ; 
yet it may be questioned whether their trade in the Oregon Territory 
yields any profit, although it is now conducted at much less cost than 
formerly. This diminution of cost arises from the fact that a great 
part of the provisions are now raised in the country by the labour of 
their own servants. 
The Puget Sound Company, although it has been in operation for 
several years, has made no dividends. The accumulation of their 
live-stock may, however, be considered as an equivalent for moneyed 
profits. In the event, however, of the country becoming the abode of 
a civilized community, the farms and other land possessed by this 
Company must become very valuable, as the posts occupy all the 
points most favourably situated for trade, and the agricultural esta- 
VOL. v. M2 18 
