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, within 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 with 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 



