246 
SOUTHERN OREGON. 
they attempted it, the guide and his horse were nearly lost. To swim 
the river was equally impracticable, in the weak and worn-out state 
of their animals. They therefore proceeded down its bank, looking 
for a ford. On their way, Inass killed a wild cow, one of a herd of 
ten. It is said that the wild cattle, which have originated from the 
animals that have escaped from the herds passing through the country 
to Oregon, are increasing very fast. 
They encamped in a beautiful oak grove, near the junction of the 
Feather river with the Sacramento. The two rivers are of about the 
same size, being each seventy yards wide. The waters of the Feather 
are clear, and in many places deep; the banks are, as usual, lined with 
sycamore, cotton-wood, and oak, and were at this time about twenty- 
five feet above the stream. It appears to be navigable for boats. The 
party succeeded in fording it on the 18th, wfithin two miles of the 
junction. Near the ford, the Indians had an extensive burial-ground, 
marked by a vast number of skulls and bones, that lie scattered around 
in all directions, and are said to be all that remains of a once powerful 
tribe, that has been swept off by disease. 
They then proceeded on to Captain Suter’s, where they arrived the 
next day. 
The officers appear to have entered this valley w r ith a high idea of 
its fruitfulness, and with the expectation of finding the soil abounding 
with every thing that could make it desirable for the abode of the 
agriculturist, and susceptible of producing all that can add to the 
comfort or convenience of man. It is not surprising that they should 
have been sadly disappointed, when they beheld a large part of it 
barren, and destitute even of pasturage, while that which is fertile is 
liable to be annually overflowed. The high prairie is equally gravelly 
and unfertile. Yet it is necessary to say there is a sufficient quantity 
of good soil to make it a valuable agricultural country, and that it 
would be capable of affording subsistence to a large number of in¬ 
habitants, more, however, from the extraordinary fertility of these 
grounds than from their extent. 
After leaving Captain Suter’s, or New Helvetia, the party divided. 
The detachment under Lieutenant Emmons, with Messrs. Dana, Agate, 
Colvocoressis, and Dr. Whittle, embarked in the Vincennes’ launch, 
which met them a short distance below that place, and reached San 
Francisco at eight o’clock p. m. on the 24th. 
The other detachment, consisting of Messrs. Eld, Peale, Rich, 
Brackenridge, and the sergeant, with some of the men, went by land. 
I cannot avoid again returning my thanks to Captain Suter, for his 
kindness to this party. All the officers spoke most particularly of the 
