350 WILLAMETTE VALLEY. 



that the number of settlers in the Willamette Valley would not war- 

 rant the establishment of a constitution, and as far as his people were 

 concerned there was certainly no necessity for one, nor had he any 

 knowledge of crime having been yet committed. 



Annexed to Mr. Bachelet's house is a small chapel, fully capable of 

 containing the present congregation. 



They are erecting a large and comfortable house for Mr. Bachelet, 

 after which it is intended to extend the chapel. These houses are 

 situated on the borders of an extensive level prairie, which is very 

 fertile, having a rich deep alluvial soil ; they also have near them a 

 forest of pine, oak, &c. They are now occupied in turning up the 

 fields for the first time. Mr. Bachelet informed me that it was in- 

 tended to take enough of land under cultivation to supply a large com- 

 munity, that will be attached to the mission; for it is the intention to 

 establish schools here, for the instruction of the Indians as well as the 

 Canadians and other settlers. He has already ten Indian children 

 under his care. Mr. Bachelet informed me that the mission had been 

 established about a year, and that it had already done much good. 

 When he first arrived all the settlers were living with Indian women, 

 whom they have since married, and thus legalized the connexion. 

 This was the first step he had taken towards their moral improvement, 

 and he had found it very successful. There were about thirty Cana- 

 dian families settled here, besides about twenty persons who have no 

 fixed residence, and are labourers. The number of Indians is esti- 

 mated at between four and five hundred, including all tribes, sexes, 

 and ages. The district under Mr. Bachelet's superintendence takes 

 in about fifty square miles, including the Willamette Valley, Faulitz, 

 and Yam-Hill Plains, and extending below the Willamette Falls as 

 far as the Klackamus river. The number of white residents, in- 

 cluding the missionaries of both denominations, is thought to be about 

 sixty. 



Mr. Drayton, Michel, and myself, dined with Mr. Bachelet, on 

 oatmeal porridge, venison, strawberries, and cream. This hospitality 

 was tendered with good and kind feelings, and with a gentlemanly 

 deportment that spoke much in his favour, and made us regret to leave 

 his company so soon. 



When we reached Michel's house, he left us, finding there was no 

 further need for his services, as we were now accompanied by Plu- 

 mondon, Johnson, George Gay, and one or two other guides, with 

 horses. 



W r e soon after came to some American and English settlers, and 

 then entered on the grounds of the Methodist Mission. One of the 



