NISQUALLY AND COLUMBIA RIVER. 315 



Notwithstanding a hard rain fell during the night, we passed it very 

 comfortably. The Indians supplied us with some fresh salmon, which 

 they had already begun to take in the rivers that were in sight from 

 our encampment. They reported that the river was navigable for 

 canoes, though occasional obstructions were met with from fallen 

 timber. 



Mr. Drayton found here some beautiful pieces of cornelian, of large 

 size and bright red colour. 



The morning proved beautiful, and one of the finest days succeeded 

 that I ever remember to have seen. Our route lay through alternate 

 woods and prairies, the former composed of large pines and cedars. 

 Several considerable streams of w T ater were passed, whose banks were 

 not so high as those before met with ; the latter covered with straw- 

 berries, so tempting as to induce us to dismount and feast upon them, 

 and many plants that excited a feeling of interest, and reminded us of 

 home : among the number was the red honeysuckle (Caprifolium), 

 which was in full bloom. After passing extensive cammass plains, 

 we reached the Company's farm on the Cowlitz, which occupies an 

 extensive prairie on the banks of that river. 



They have here six or seven hundred acres enclosed, and under 

 cultivation, with several large granaries, a large farm-house, and 

 numerous out-buildings to accommodate the dairy, workmen, cattle, 

 &c. The grounds appear well prepared, and were covered with a 

 luxuriant crop of wheat. At the farther end of the prairie was to be 

 seen a settlement, with its orchards, &c, and between the trees, the 

 chapel and parsonage of the Catholic Mission gave an air of civiliza- 

 tion to the whole. The degree of progress resembled that of a settle- 

 ment of several years' standing in our Western States, with the 

 exception, however, of the remains of the conquered forest : for here 

 the ground is ready for the plough, and nature seems as it were to 

 invite the husbandman to his labours. 



We were kindly received by Mr. Forrest, the superintendent, who 

 quickly made arrangements for canoes to carry us down the Cowlitz 

 and Columbia river to Astoria, or Fort George. He also provided us 

 with an excellent repast, and pressed us to remain over night, which 

 we would gladly have done, had I not found that it would be impos- 

 sible for us to reach Astoria the next day if we did so. 



At this farm the Company have a large dairy, and are about erect- 

 ing a saw and grist mill. The superintendent's dwelling is large, and 

 built of well-hewn logs; with the workmen's houses, &c, it forms 

 quite a village. 



Large numbers of cattle were being brought in for the night, which 



