could be put together in floats and run down the rivers even though the eddies 



may change the position of the logs, they let loose of them again. A g-uesome riverl 



As soon as I became acquainted with some of the foresters, I learned that Sir 

 «Fm. Stuart does not have the best reputation here because of serious affronts against 

 the hospitality in Vancouver. I cannot understand that Stuart could give me a 

 letter of recommendation since he must remember his stay there. ... But nevertheless, 

 I hope I will be accepted as friendly as I was here in Fort Colville. ...McDonald 

 here in Colville contributes to the British Museum, and is a correspondent of 

 Hooker 's and an honorary member of the Botanical Society of London. Indeed, the 

 officers of the Hudson Company form a rather good scientific Corps. As I heard, 

 Fremont did not feel too happy amonfc them and tales are spread here about him which 

 sound incredible to me, but unfortunately I have to admit that I discovered some of 

 F.'s character in them and therefore believe that some of it might be true.~ In any 

 event, Fremont cannot be surpassed as far as quickness is concerned. . .His raarches 

 for instance, were done quick. Mr. McDonald knows Pursh, found him once at the shore 

 going down the St. Lawrence River in a canoe with Mr. Laidlow of the American Für 

 Co., with an ugly, dirty woman, both drunk. But he followed his invitation and went 

 with him to Montana where Governor Selkirk took care of him, he gave lectures in his 

 house to a large audience. However, he followed his addiction for drink and just 

 wandered off again. Pursh came from a good family, I used to know his brother who is 

 a reputable man in Dresden. Douglas looked for him everywhere and, as you know, found 

 his grave on the Island of Hawaii; when he (Pursh) went there to visit the people, 

 he found ditches or dug-outs set up as traps for wild cattle, once he saw one with 

 an opening in the middle and curious to see what was in it, he put down his luggage, 

 and returned a few steps and came too close to the covered part of the dug-out and 

 feil in and lost his life just like a trapped ox.~Captain Suter, a man most Germans 

 in St. Louis know, is, as I heard from an officer of the Hudson Co., Governor per forde, 

 in California. In the spring of last year, he went with his team and two canons against 

 Mexican soldiers, beat them completely, together with their Governor for a wide area 

 which he unfortunately became through some sort of bribery. I was told he is never 

 sober, but always drunk. Mr. Flügge is not with him as is being told in St. Louis, 

 but only keeps his accounts. His trade in cattle and skins is supposed to be quite 

 large. 



The local Indians are the most disgusting centaurs in the shape of human beings 

 I ever saw. Greedy, dirty, gluttenous and cunningly dangerous. If one read the reports 

 of the Missions one would think that heaven is füll of Indians and the ones still 

 Ii Ving in Oregon are pious heros. One is inclined to say with the poet: "Hell is 



