NISQUALLY AND COLUMBIA RIVER. 333 



the example of the superiors, that the whole establishment is a pattern 

 of good order and correct deportment. 



This remark not only extends to this establishment, but as far as 

 our opportunities went (and all but two of their posts were visited), 

 the same good order prevails throughout the country. Wherever the 

 operations of the Company extend, they have opened the way to 

 future emigration, provided the means necessary for the success of 

 emigrants, and rendered its peaceful occupation an easy and cheap 

 task. 



The mode in which their trade is carried on, will give some idea of 

 the system pursued by the Company. All the imported goods are 

 divided into three classes, viz. : articles of gratuity, those of trade, 

 and those intended to pay for small services, labour, and provisions. 

 The first consists of knives and tobacco; the second, of blankets, guns, 

 cloth, powder, and shot ; the third, of shirts, handkerchiefs, ribands, 

 beads, &c. These articles are bartered at seemingly great profits, 

 and many persons imagine that large gain must be the result from the 

 Indian trade ; but this is seldom the case. The Indians and settlers 

 understand well the worth of each article, and were not inclined to give 

 for it more than its real value, besides getting a present or " potlatch" 

 to boot. The Company are obliged to make advances to all their 

 trappers, if they wish to be sure of their services ; and from such a 

 reckless set, there is little certainty of getting returns, even if the 

 trapper has it in his power. In fact, he will not return with his season's 

 acquisitions, unless he is constrained to pursue the same course of 

 life for another year, when he requires a new advance. In order to 

 avoid losses by the departure of their men, the parties, some thirty or 

 forty in number, are placed under an officer who has charge of the 

 whole. These are allowed to take their wives and even families with 

 them ; and places, where they are to trap during the season, on some 

 favourable ground, are assigned to them. These parties leave Van- 

 couver in October, and return by May or June. They usually trap on 

 shares, and the portion they are to receive is defined by an agreement ; 

 the conditions of which depend very much upon their skill. 



All the profits of the Company depend upon economical manage- 

 ment, for the quantity of peltry in this section of the country, and 

 indeed it may be said the fur-trade on this side of the mountains, has 

 fallen off fifty per cent, within the last few years. It is indeed reported, 

 that this business at present is hardly worth pursuing. 



Mr. Douglass was kind enough to take me into the granary, which 

 contained wheat, flour, barley, and buckwheat. The wheat averaged 

 sixty-three pounds to the bushel ; barley yields twenty bushels to the 



