310 NISQUALLY AND COLUMBIA RIVER. 



Columbia river trip. Lieutenant Carr, with Lieutenant Budd and Mr. 

 Eld, were left in charge of the duty connected with the observatory, 

 as well as of the ship. 



Knowing how much time is lost on boat expeditions by the use of 

 grog, and the accidents that are liable to occur when a strict watch 

 cannot be kept over it, I decided not to send any spirits with the 

 party. I am fully persuaded myself, that that portion of the ration is 

 unnecessary ; but in order not to deprive any of the sailors of it who 

 might deem it essential, I had the boats' crews called aft, and found 

 that nearly all were in the regular habit of drawing their grog. I 

 then offered to any who might wish to continue the use of that part 

 of their ration, the option of remaining with the ship, and having their 

 places in the boats supplied by others. There was no hesitation on 

 the part of any of them : all wished to go ; and all were willing to 

 give up their spirit ration. I take this occasion to say, that all the 

 most laborious and exposed duty of the Expedition, was performed 

 without the spirit ration, and I am well satisfied that it may be dis- 

 pensed with without injury to any one, and indeed greatly to the 

 benefit of the naval service.* 



The land expedition, under Lieutenant Johnson, was finally ready 

 Few can imagine the chafferings, delays, and vexations, attendant 

 upon the equipment of a land party in this region : the buying of 

 horses from the Indians ; the non-arrival of guides ; the various equip- 

 ments necessary for loading the horses, securing the loads to prevent 

 injury to the horses' backs, and the loss of them, all consume much 

 time, and need continual foresight. Through all these difficulties and 

 perplexities, which were of a kind that most tries the patience, Lieu- 

 tenant Johnson struggled. An Indian is not slow in perceiving your 

 wants, and views the dilemmas in which you may be placed with a 

 becoming sang-froid. Mr. Anderson's kindness had obviated many of 

 these obstacles ; but it was impossible to proceed without the aid of 

 the Indians, who were always prone to recede from their bargains, 

 under a feeling that they had not received enough. After the bargain 

 was completed, and the price agreed upon, under the form of " pot- 

 latch," or " gift," the equivalent was always to be again treated for, 

 and thus the price of the article or service was often very much en- 

 hanced. In dealing with these Indians, it was always necessary to 

 feign a great indifference of manner, in order to obtain the article, 

 and also in closing the bargain after the preliminaries are settled. 



* Since our return, Congress has reduced the spirit ration one-half: this is a good step, 

 but its total abolishment would be a better one. 



