COLUMBIA RIVER. 
145 
distress. Mr. Birnie, on my asking him to take charge of her for 
that object, would have readily consented to do so for the Com¬ 
pany, but had no authority. I therefore immediately wrote to Dr. 
McLaughlin, to say that I had placed the launch at his disposal, and 
to request that she might be put under the supervision of the Com¬ 
pany’s officers, for the above purposes. She was completely fitted, 
and delivered over to Mr. Birnie. The letters to Dr. M’Laughlin on 
this subject will be found in Appendix V. In consequence of my 
departure from the coast, I received no answer from him, but have 
understood from other sources that the boat had been taken charge of. 
Her construction was admirably adapted for that purpose, and I am 
sure that if any disaster should occur, the assistance she will render 
will be of great benefit. 
On the 5th, the prospect of passing the bar was favourable, and at 
2 h 30 m p. m. the Company’s bark Columbia, which had been lying off 
and on for the last week, entered. On passing the vessels she saluted 
us, and proceeded up the river to Astoria. At 3 h 30 m , I determined on 
making the attempt to get to sea. We quickly got the vessels under 
way, and in an hour afterwards we had passed the bar in safety. 
The Cadborough followed our example, and went to sea also. Her 
master, before we got under way, had strong misgivings as to under¬ 
taking the risk at so late an hour both of the day and tide. The ves¬ 
sels of the Hudson Bay Company never attempt to pass either in or 
out, unless the opportunity is such as will warrant the master in 
making the attempt. They consider that there is sufficient risk at the 
best of times, and are unwilling to increase it. I have already stated 
that the entrance to the Columbia is impracticable for two-thirds of the 
year. This arises from the fact that it can never be entered at night, 
and in the day only at particular times of the tide and direction of the 
wind. Unlike all known ports, it requires both the tide and wind to 
be contrary, to insure any degree of safety. Those who may desire to 
be farther informed on this subject, are referred to the Hydrographical 
Memoir of the cruise. 
Having succeeded in getting the brigs beyond the risk of detention, I 
gave them orders to await my return, and went on board the tender, to 
pass again into the river, for the purpose of completing all that re¬ 
mained of the survey. The Company’s bark Columbia had just returned 
from the northern posts. The master, Mr. Broughton, was kind enough 
to give me much information respecting the northern coasts, and the In¬ 
dian tribes : he likewise presented the Expedition with many curiosities 
of native workmanship, some of which showed much ingenuity, parti¬ 
cularly their pipes and masks. The latter are used in their theatrical 
vol. v. N 19 
