IMAGE EVALUATION TEST TARGET (MT-3) Ms- /c ^/ 'I It >i • Copyright applied for by the Oregon Historical Society All rights reserved Portland Portland Portland Eugene Portland A tribute to the memory of Captain Wyeth by Jainei Rusnell Lowell, sent to the Portland (Oregon) High School on the occasion of its having a Lowell evening. Ei.MWDOD, Cambridge, Mass. 24th April, 1890. Dear Miss H * * * I feel as if I had a kind of birthright in your Portland, for it was a townsman of mine who first led an expedition thither across the plains and tried to establish a settlement there. I well remember his starting sixty years ago, and knew him well in after years. He was a very remarkable person whose conversa- tion I valued highly. A born leader of men, he was fitly called Captain Nathaniel Wyeth as long as he lived. It was the weak- ness of his companions that forced him to let go his hold on that fair possession. I hope he is duly honored in your traditions. * * I pray you to give my greeting with the warmest assurance of good will to both teachers and pupils. We are I am sure heartily at one in our desire to maintain and perpetuave the better tradi- tions of our local and national life, and it is upon our schools that we must rely in great measure for the fulfilment of that desire. Wishing for all of you happy and useful lives — and one includ- es the other I remain Very sincerely your friend J. R. Lowell. Editor's Preface I.i the traditions of New England Nathaniel Jarvis Wyeth is highly honored as the principal founder of the ice industry. The Boston 7>rt»5rr;// in its notice of his death, August, 1856, said: "It is not perhaps too much to say that there is not a single tool or machine of real value now employed in the ice harvesting, which was not originally invented by Mr Wyeth They all look to Fresh Pond as the place of their origin". "As one who laid open a new field of honorable industry" he was held "entitled to the rank of a public benefactor." Among his friends who came under the influence of his strong personality he was regarded as "oneoftheremarkableraenof New England." The tribute to his memory sent to Oregon by Lowell stimulated the search for the record of those wonderful expeditions led by him. Those in quest of it were rewarded not only in finding the manuscripts, nearly complete.butaiso in getting from the posses- sor of them a gracious response to the request for permission to publish. These sources furnish data for making more adequate and in- structive the history oJ the occupation of the continent, and through t he publication of them the author will receive due recognition for a conspicuous part in a great tiational movement and for the pos- session of a strong spark of heroic spirit like that whose song is, "My purpose holds To sail beyond the sunset and the baths Of all the western stars until I die." The manuscript is in the possession of Mrs. Mary J, Fish of Taunton, Massachusetts. When sent to l)e copied for publication it took its third trip westward across the continent, but this time it was not "to be painfully borne by wearisome marches through l| I Id it . almost unbroken solitudes for weary months, "but now after sixty* three years to be "swiftl>- carried in a few days, to find no longer at the journey's end the wilderness of Nature but the homes ofan- enlightened and progressive people." The editor owes deepest thanks to Mrs. Fish for being entrust- ed with the honor of publishing this record and for her consent to present it in its integrity. The plan has been to reproduce the original faithfully to the letter. From the conditions under which the record was made some parts are faint and mutilated but it is hoped that de- fects arising from this cause and from shortcomings in editing will not seriously impair the historical value of these documents. Eugene, Oregon, , July I, 1899. BRRATA Page 12, "circumsnances"inUne398houl(iread "circumstances" "enough" "Tuesday" "Vancouver" "Having" "not" "flowers" "Sauvages" "contradictory" •• 38, " 49, " 62, "enough" "Tuesday" "Vadcouver" ,1 " 44 " 32 " 5 II II 1 • 1, ,, t. " 79, "126, "Haying" "dot" It II " 4 " 8 ,, 1, II 1, "157, "212, ••236. "flowers" "Savvages" "contardictory" II II 1, " 4 " 6 "38 II 1, II 1, I, ,1 CORRESPOND] Persons addressed I Kelley, Hall J. II Wyeth, Charles III Wyeth, Jacob IV Neil, Col. J. W. V Wyeth, Charles VI Wyeth, Jacob VII Wyeth, Leonard VIII Hamilton, Samuel S. IX Wyeth, Charles X Wyeth, Leonard XI Wyeth, Jacob XII Kverett, Hon. E. XII Wyeth, Jacob XIV Wild, Captain Dixie XV Wyeth, Charles XVI Uvermore, Solmon K. XVII Everett, Hor, E. XVIII Wyeth, lyconarj XIX Wyeth, Leonard XX Bach, Theo. XXI Wyeth, Jacob XXII Wild, Captain Dixie XXIII Wyeth, Charles XXIV Livermore, S. K. XXV Hughs, L P. XXVI Cripps, Geo. XXVII Wyeth, Leonard xxvni Wyeth, Charles XXIX Gardner. Robt. H. XXX Whiting, Seymour XXXI Livermore, S. K. XXXII Jarvis, Leonard XXXIII Norris, A. & Co. Page I fl I 3 3 S S 6 6 8 II ta t3 «4 i5 16 «7 18 «9 ao 21 tt H as 26 27 27 28 29 29 30 31 33 z — :-! /^■/s^^m. v.. 'J I'f' ,vr -<'*■* S[ * * *s^ , ■i/v;:.'?'*'^ "" uuuer winch the record was made some partr are faint and mutilated but it is hoped that de- fects arising from this cause and from shortcomings in editing will not senously impair the historical value of these documents. Eugene, Oregon, July I, 1899. .vr -v^**?. CONTENTS CORRESPON Persons addressed I Kelley, Hall J. II Wyeth, Charles III Wyeth, Jacob IV Neil, Col. J. W. V Wyeth, Charles VI Wyeth, Jacob VII Wyeth, Leonard VIII Hamilton, Samuel S. IX Wyeth, Charles X Wyeth, Leonard XI Wveth, Jacob XII Everett, Hon. E. XII Wyeth, Jacob XIV Wild, Captain Dixie XV Wyeth, Charles XVI Livermore, Solmon K XVII Everett, Hon. E. XVIII Wyeth, Leonard XIX Wyeth, Leonard XX Bach, Theo. XXI Wyeth, Jacob XXII Wild, Captain Dixie XXIII Wyeth, Charles XXIV Livermore, S. K. XXV Hughs, I. P. XXVI Cripps, Geo. XXVII Wyeth, Leonard XXVIII Wyeth, Charles XXIX Gardner. Robt. H. XXX Whiting, Seymour XXXI Livermore, S. K. XXXII Jarvis, Leonard XXXIII Norris, A. & Co. Page I 2 I 3 3 5 5 6 6 8 II 12 »3 '4 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 21 24 25 26 27 27 28 29 29 30 31 33 i !li ; ! p viii CONTENTS Persons addressed XXXIV Touro, Judah XXXV Gardner, Robt. H. XXXVI Wyeth, Charles XXXVII Ball, John 1 XXXVIII Wyeth, Leonard XXXIX Livermore, S. K. XI, Kelley, H. J. XI.I Davenport and Byre. XLII Wyeth. Leonard ' XLIII Davenport and Byron XLIV Wyeth, Leonard XLV Wyeth, Jacob XLVI Davenport and Byron XLVII Whiting, Seymour XLVIIl Kelley, Hall J. XL,IX Perry, Rev. Clark L Wyeth, Leonard .1 I re- ferring now to occupation for purposes of trade with the Indians and exploitation of the region for furs and not to occupation, for purposes of agriculture. When conditions were matured for] the pioneer movement the very influences that had made so strongly for England in the lower form of occupation told against her quite as effectively as before they had wrought in her favor. For the time, however, the agreement between the English and American governments to a joint occupation resulted in an ex- clusive occupation by the English company. And immediately Floyd in the House (1820) and Benton in the Senate were sound- ing the alarm that we were in danger of losing Oregon. They urged,further, that with the English fortified there holding influence over the Indians our northwestern irontier would be exposed to depredations like those suffered during the English occupation of the "Old Northwest." These leaders proposed measures to pro- tect and support American interests on the Columbia. The mat- ter was kept before Congress almost continuously during this de- cade. President Monroe iti his annual message in 1824 also urg- ed the establishment of a military post at the mouth of the Columbia with the view of protecting and promoting our interests there. Expansion to the Pacific, however, v.'as an idea that did not ill the twenties recommend itself to a majority of the two houses of congress. The expense of the proposed undertaking and the possibility that the step would be viewed by England as a violation of the terms of the existing treaty and thus lead to war were deterring considerations with the law -makers. An Oregon community as a state of the Union was generally held as a chimera in that day be- fore ocean steamships ptid railway locomotion. Those constitution- INTRODUCTION xvii ally conservative without the gift of prophetic vision or the index of manifest destiny could not but regard it in that light. Under such conditif >ns to lend further inducement to the westward movement of a people already possessed of a perverse bent in that direction seemed to invite a luture separation into Atlantic and Pacific nations. The termination of the ten-year agreement in 1828 made some diplomatic action on the matter necessary. England's interests on the Columbia were now too substantial and preponderant for her to recede in deference to any claim of title based on discovery and exploration. And, further, deceived as to the character of the country she could see no reason fordoubting her ability to maintain her su- premacy there. The cause of the United Statescould hardly develop a weaker aspect than it presented at that time. Both were, therefore, willing to bide thi:ir timeandcontinuethe status of so-called joint occupation indefinitely subject to termination on a year's notice. Our chain of right to Oregon had snapped in our failure to hold our own against the strongly organized English trade. But we might easily forego that form of occupation if we could only torge the link of occupation by home-builders. The other links to the chain of our title had been so gloriously welded to fail at this point would be a national disgrace. So thought many. The idea was soon to warm a host of pioneers. It had already set one mind aflame. Hall J. Kelley, a Boston school teacher, became in 18 15 an en- thusiast for saving the Cegon country to the Union through col- onization. From 1824 on he gave himself up to the work of agi- tation. In 1828 an emigration society with a large membersiiip was organized. This was incorporated in 1 831, and the spring of 1832 was fixed upon as the time for setting out on an overland expedition to Oregon. But something more than enthusiasm was needed to get an expedition even mustered, equipped and started for Oregon, to say nothing of conducting it successfully through two thousand miles of wilderness. While preparations for the expedition by the Boston Coloniza- tion Society were in progress Nathaniel J. V/yeth, then twenty- nine years old and superintending a flourshing business with some separate interests of his own, became impressed with the idea there was a role for him in executing one of his country's trusts for civ- ilzation. There was in the Oregon territory a remnant of the conti- nent still to be subdued toman's higher uses and he felt his fitness for the work. He says, "I cannot divest myself of the opinion that I shall compete better with my fellow men in new and untried paths than in those to pursue vvhich requires only patience and at- tention.' ' He partially engaged to attach himself with a company to the expedition planned by the Society of which Kelley was the secretary. Kelley, the moving spirit of this undertaking, wished to trans- plant a Massachusetts town to Oregon and mrke it the nucleus of xviii INTRODUCTION a new stale. He hoped to repeat with appropriate variations the history of the Puritan colony of Massachusetts Bay. The New Knglander of the nineteenth century, however, was not so ready to sacrific:^ himself for an idea as had been his progenitors of the seven- teenth. Unless Kelley could organize conditions so that success seemed certain, he could not expect the enthusiasm of his follows s to bear them on. Such conditions he could not organize. Hi colony failed to muster. Wyeth had proposed to incorporate his company with Kelley's colony solely for the strength there is in union. When Kelley began to falter with his plans, shift dates and change conditions, Wyeth swung clear of the Oregon Colonization Society and or- ganized his expedition independently. The motive that impelled V/yeth to undertake his expeditions to the Oregon country was that .same primal instinct that has been the predominant influence in producing the westward movement of the Aryan peoples since their first promptings of might. The suggestion was received by Adam in the Garden of Kden when he was told to subdue the earth and have dominion over its creatures. There was much at this time in a Boston environment to bring the Columbia basin very close to the consciousness of natures en- dowed as were Kelley and Wyeth. Boston traders had so far monopolized the American trade with the Indiana on the Pacific coast that these had no other name for Americans than "Boston men" The Columbia river had been discovered by a captain in the employ of a company of Boston merchants. Wyeth was cognizant of at least half-a-dozen Boston houses that had grown wealthy in prosecuting the fur trade of the North Paciticcoast. Kven before starting Wyeth had appreciated the fact that the American activities beyond the Rockies were of a nomadic order and that the British company with its established posts was supreme. He knew that it represented a higher economic organization and was impregnable against such forms of assault as the Americans had so far brought against it. He, however, believed that the region from the Columbia river south to the forty-second parallel and from the Rocky mountains west to the ocean, a country three hundred by six hunred miles in extent, was still fairly open for occupation. He proposed to occupy it. He expected the status of joint occupation to last but a few years longer. By the time of its termination the American trade from vessels would have wholly disappeared before the more economic methods of the Hudson's Bay Company and his own and he would he left in sole possession of the region above described. Wyeth as a New Englander is hardly to be blamed for not having foreseen the impending pioneer movement. It came from the western frontier. So precipitately did this sweep on and con- stitute an occupation by an agricul«^'ral population that there could INTRODICTION XIX not have been successful a occupation by American traders organiz- ed under the higher form with established posts. Moreover.he un- derestimated the overwhelmitig strength of the Hudson's Bay Company and its grim determination not to brook competition. His was not to be a hide-bound fur Irading enterprise. He be- gan that which has ))een developed into the great salmon industry of the North Pacific coast. He located a farm in the Willamette valley. It was his purpose to select those branches of business for which he deemed his company most compet','nt and which ap- peared to hold out the best prospects. Had he been able to get liis enterprise fairly on its feet his keen business sagacity would have found and developed those lines for which the time and countr>' were waiting. With high American spirit he scorned monopoly privileges. Dif- ference of nationality and the bitter clash of business interests did not act as a bar to the good fellowship and mutual regard of Nathaniel J. Wyeth and Dr. John McLoughlin. A life-long friend- ship was cemented between them. Fortunate, itideed, it was for the Knglish and the American peoples that in this crisis they were represented by men of such depth of character and largeness of humanity. The restoration of the correspondence that passed between them would no doubt give much insight into the moving forces of this period of the history of the Pacific Northwest. In a summary of his views on the Oregon question submitted to a Congressional committee in I S39, three years after his return from his second expedition, Wyeth says: "In conclusion, I will observe that the measures of this [Hudson's Bay] Company have been conceived with wisdom, steadily pursued, and have been well seconded by their government, and the success has been complete; and without being able charge on them any verj', gross violations of the existing treaties, a few years will make the country west of the mountains as English as they can desire. Already the Americans are unknown as a nation, and, as individuals, their power is despised by the natives of the land. A population i? growing out of the occupancy of the country, whose prejudices are not vviih us; and before many years they will decide to whom the country shall belong, unless in the meantime the American government make their power felt and seen to a greater degree than has yet been the case." Not yet had he discerned the rising of that human tide on the western frontier that was so soon to overleap the two-thousand mile barrier of arid plains, deserts and mountains steeps. Still as Bancroft says, "He it was who, more directly than any other man, marked the way fcr the ox-teams which were so shortly to bring the Americanized civilization of Europe across the roadless continent." m Hii'i CORRESPONDENCE FROM THE LETTER BOOK OF CAPTAIN NATHANIEL J. WYETH, Referring to His Expeditions. to Oregon. I. Philad Augt 30th 1831 Hall J Kelley Esq. (Genl Agent for the Oregon Colonization Society Boston) Dear Sir I write to inform you that I shall not return as soon as I expected having been detained here on buisness. I shall be in Boston about the 6th of next month, and will see you as soon thereafter as practicable in regard to my ap- plication for a scituation in the first expedition to the Oregon Country. l5oct Jacob Wyeth a brother of mine now practicing Medicine and Surgery in N. Jersey at Howell Furnace, wishes me to enter his name as an applicant for the birth of Surgeon in one of the companies of the first expedition, which scituation he is desirous of obtaining only in the event of a scituation being offered me which I shall accept, he not wishing to remove to that Countr\' without me. Hf^ is thirty three years old or thereabout was edu- cated at Harvd. University studied medicine with Mr Revere of Baltimore and Doct Shattuck of Boston and attended Lectures in Boston was regularly graduated as a Phisician, he is unmarried. I am yr obt Servt Nathl. J. Wyeth II. 1 83 1 one Cambridge Oct 5th Bro Charles (Baltimore) I have received your favour in reply to a former of mine. The expression of good feelings that it contains you may be assured are gratifying to my feelings, p[a]rticularly un- der present circumstances. All earthly things are uncertaiq and none more so than those, the accomplishment of which depend upon others and this is the case in regard to the expedition to Oregon, there is no other doubt of my going except the failure of the whole concern but as CORRESPONDRNCR: [59 this is possible I do not wish you to take the trouble to come here to utter your last speech and dying confessions at present. The moment I find there is any certainty of their going I will write you. My plan is to go out there and carry with me what property I can spare after leaving a support for my wife, and do what I can with it. It will perhaps not much more than get me there, and after finding what can be done in the fur trade, or other buisness, write to friends, whom I shall prepare before hand, to send me the means of doing buisness, of these friends I mean you to be one, Leond. another, and a third here. More I caji have if wanted but would rathfer confine myself to these, and what money I can make for myself or those in whom I have an interest NJW III. Cambridge Oct 5th 1831 Bro. Jacob (Howell Furnace N. J.) Yours of the 22 nd ulto is at hand. Many women are going, but for m^'^ own part I would not carry one iti the first expedition they will of course ride, the route is practicable for horses. I will make riding provision for your wife I fear no diflRculty on the route for any one, but some for the first year after gecting there. Would it not be better to defer marrying un- til your wife can get out there by means of the second expedition? The amt. of salary which you will receive is not worth the trouble of asking about. If th"? expedition is successful! you will reap a rich harvest from the buisness of the country' if otherwise you will loose your time, the salary which Kelley refers to will be paid you for services as an appendage to an army and the duties of 3'our place will not admit of general practice because 3'our corps will be moveable. I will pay over the $20 for your ace. The expedition does propose to leave this the ist Jany. but most of such appointments are delayed beyond the time set, all you have to do Is to close your accounts as fast as you can, and I will infoitn you as soon as I know myself the time wh'^n it is necessary to start from your place to meet us. All the prepara- tion I will make for you. Surgical instruments clothing &c we will purchase on the route in the cities through which we pass, and if requisite and with your leave draw on Leond for what is necessary for your fixtures. The route will take in Boston, N York, Philad. Balto. Cincin[n]ati St Louis, thence in a right line acrost to the Rocky Mountains overland to near Santa Fee where there is a pass in the mountains thence a N. W. course to meet Lewis river down which we go to the Columbia river, the place of our destination distance from St Louis about 2000 miles. The b[e]st manner you can invest your property' except what is requi- 6o1 WYRTH'S OREGON EXPKDITIONS. site to equip you for the Journey is to leave it at interest as a re- sort in case of failure in your objects out there. Books are too cumbersome to carry out, the knowledge must go in your head the books can be got by the second expedition, and the instru- ments we can purchase in five minutes when I meet you in New York. The first expedition are all to be soldiers, as much land as wanted can be bought of the Co. 200 acres is to be a privates portion what the officers are to have I have not enquired. N. J. W. IV. Cambridge Oct 17 th 1831 To Col J W Neil Boston Dear Sir In the absence of the Genl. Agent for the Oregon Colonization Society I take the liberty of addressing to you the following queries viz Whether any persons which I may induce to join the first expedition will be attached to my Company. Whether it is expected that a person receiving the appointment of a Surgeon is expected to pay the Society' $20 mentioned in their 3rd Circular as a loan and whether there will be a surgeon appointed to each Company and if so whether a brother of mine who has received an assurance from Mr Kelley of an appointment will be connected with my company. An answer to these particulars and also any information which you may be disposed to commun cate in regard to the certainty of an expedition at all, the numbers which may be expected to go in the first expedition the rouU^ to be taken after leaving St. Louis, the time when to be commenced &c &c, and also when I may call on you to confer upon these subjects will be thankfully received bv Yr. obt. Servt. Nathl. J. Wyeth V. Cambridge Nov nth 1831 Brother Charles (Baltimore) W^ill you have the goodness to collect the information required for answering the questions below and as soon as practicable forward me answers to them. This infor- mation I have no doubt you will easily obtain from many of your neighbors and customers who are in the tobacco buisness either as planters or venders of the same, be pleased to give your an- swers as definite as possible and be certain that it is correct as it is required in order to the raising the article as one of trade be- yond the Rocky Mountains and a mistake would be bad buisness. I St Should it be planted as early in the season as to be entirely out of the reach of Frost, or will it bear a slight degree of it. 2nd How should the seed be planted in the field where it is intended to grow? or in beds to \^ transplanted? CORRESPONDENCE: [61 3rd In what scituations and soil? with manure or without? in a dry or wet place? 4th How thick will it thrive 5th what mode of culture is "required weeding? training, gath- ering at what time 6th [What] method is -used to cure it and how kept after it is cured 7 th How is the seed obtained at what time gathered How treated and kept and what is the ordinary quantity required per cwt. of the product usually Beside these queries be good enough to make any remark which you think will be usefuU in the culture of the plant. As time passes on the project of emigration assumes form and shape, and a nearer approach toward certainty. I think there is little doubt of my going, for I find that I can get good men who will follow me on a trading project, on the basis of division of profits, and this thing I will do (if I can) if the emigration fails. I believe I can find other men who will for a certain other, share of profits furnish all the money wanted which will not be great, for I mean to have a cargo ready there, before a vessell leaves here and the investment will be only the trading articles sent out, the return cargo will pay the freight, and possibly be in time to meet the notes given for the articles sent me. It is about 10 months voyage there and back. It appears to me that if I can find means to get the men out there with articles of trade suf[f]icient with their exertions as hunters, smiths &c to obtain a cargo, that finding persons to send out a vessell and cargo of trading articles on the strength of it will not be dif[f]icult. This I have no doubt I can accomplish to the extent of 50 men with equipments, and articles of trade as many as they can carry with some iion and steel for our smiths to work up, and traps for catching furs, and with them I have no doubt I can scrape together a cargo for a vessell of 1 50 Tons in the course of a year. After having done this of [or?] so nearly done it as to be sure of doing it I shall write home for the vessell and an invoice of articles of trade, which from my then acquired knowledge I shall be competent to do. Present my respects to all your folks wife and little one, tell Charlie I am going where I can catch him a wild horse to play with I think the Idea will take his fancy much N.J. W. P. S. Will you have the goodness to send me what informa- tion you can respecting the route from your City to Pitsburg, and thence to St. Louis by way of the river. Name the distance, fare, and mode of conveyance from Balto. to Pitsburg the fare down the river whether the boats will take Horses and Wagons whether they will reduce the fare in consideration of our number sle[e]p- itig on deck &c or not, with the times required to make the dif- 62] WYETirS ORRGON RXPRDITIONvS. ferent routes with any other information you may be able to add. I wish to know also if the boats go in the night. VI. Cambridge Nov 12th 1831 Brother Jacob (Howell Furnace Monmouth County New Jersey) In case the contemplated colonization project should fail it is still our intention to go to the new Country in which case we shall form ourselves into a Trading Company in furs. It is the object of the present letter to ascertain whether •in such case you will follow us in your capacity as surgeon your compensation will be a certain share of the profits of the concern and your exertions in forwarding the interests of the concern wiU be required not only in administering to our own men but also to the Indians the pa^-ment for which will go into the common stock your answer is wanted immediately if in the affirmctive x will take care that an equitable share of the profits is obtained for you in the contract and other requisite provisions made for you I am &c N J Wyeth VII. Cambridge Nov 14th 1831 Brother Leonard (New York) I write to request you to collect what information you can in respect to the route up the Hudson and through the Canal to Buffaloe thence by the Lake to Erie on Lake Erie atid thence by the Canal to Pitsburg thence down the Ohio to the Mis- souri Branch and up to St Louis Any information you can gather respecting these routes will be valuable and is wanted in order to the fixing of a route for our troops We wish to know if any deduction will ba made in con- sideration of our numbers say 50, what are the rates of passages usualy paid a person and per Ton for Baggage up the Hudson to the Canal what are the rates on the Canal for person and Bag- gage at what rate they travel on it whether thev travel all night whether any saving could be made by marching during the day and taking passage during the night, and whether their rate of traveling is faster than the march of men, what the expence of toll is on the Canal for a Boat with 50 men and their Baggage, what is the facility of goiivg from Buffaloe to Erie and by wliat means and what rates of fare and what distance and the time re- quired for the voyage, what the Length of the Canal from Erie to Pitsburg and the other queries relative to the Hudson and the I\rie Canal as above, also what information you can obtain in regard to the river route from Pitsburg to St Louis. If in your way you can also give me some information concerning the route from N York to Pitsburg by way [of] Pliilad and Baltimore making as little Land traveling on said route as possible also bear in mind in our CORRKSrONDKNCK: [63 travel we cook for and lodge ourselves and will for suitable compensation or reduction of Fare do any work that will not retard our passage and rec^uire nothing but the uper deck if these things would lessen the expence. If the Colonization Society go through with their project I shall go out in their service if not I shall get up a Joint Stock Trading Concern (if I can) and go on with a similar plan but on a smaller scale the details of which I will give you as far as settled \yhen you come this way which I hope will be before the ist Jny we shall not probably start before ist April from this place provided we go out on the last maned [named?] plan [No signature.] VIII. Cambridge Nov 28, 1831 Saml S. Hamilton Esq (Washington) Chief clerk of Bureau of Indian affairs Sir Having in contemplation to undertake an expedi- tion to the west of the Rocky Mountains for the purpose of trade, and to that section of the coast claimed l)y the Americati (iovt. I am desirous of obtaitiing information in regard to the Laws regu- lating Indian trade. In the course of the contemplated expedi- tion transactions maybe had with tribes this side of the Mountains. It is the object of the present communication to request of you the favor of pointing out to me the best mode of obtaining this in- formation, or if it is embodied in a Pamphlet form at your office to forward the same to my direction. In case I have applied to the wrong person for this information will you have the goodness to send this letter to the proper person and much oblige Vr Obt Servt N. J. W. IX. Cambridge Dec 4th 1831 Brother Charles (Baltimore Your favour of 28 Nov is at hand and contains all the information that is wanted and for which I am much obliged to you, but as one good turn deserves another I will trouble you to be on the lookout for a man who is competent to rearing Tobacco and who will Join our expedition on the terms hereinafter mentioned as the foundation upon which all the others are to go for the terms are to be all alike with the exception ot myself and the surgeon. The plan now proposed by me is to have nothing to do with the Oregon Society, but to form a Joint Stock Concern composed of 50 persons who are to be bound to each other for the term of 5 years for the purpose of following under my direction the trade and buisness of that Country in all its branches selecting those for which we deem ourselves most competent and which appear to us to hold out the best prospects and to be de- termined upon on the spot all expenses are a charge against the 64] WYKTM'vS ORRGON KXPRDITIONvS. amount of proceeds, Freight Charter party Cost of goods and all disbursements of every description the residue after this deduction is to l)e divided into 50 equal parts 8 of which are to be mine 2 are for the Surgeon and Doctor and the remaining 40 are divided equally among the men. I am to procure all credits wanted for the ex- pedition and all disbursements necessary for their fitting out with the exception of their personal C([uipments and expences as far as I'Vanklin Missouri. This plan I have adopted in preference to hiring all the men and ta'cing Capital at the halves, for which I have many offers, liecause I thyik that hired men would not effect so much as those who have a share of the profits, and probably could not be kept together at all, in conseciuence of which Half profits would not amoutit to as much as ray present plan gives me, also the scitua- tion I would be in would be more difficult and attended with more risque as pay of men would amount to a large sura and would have to be paid prolits or no profits. This plan obliges me to raise some 5000$ for articles of trade, munitions of hunting, stock for manufacturing and the like including horses from St. Louis to carry baggage, and a few provisions $2000 to $2500 I shall have to borrow of you and Leonard, for I will not ask it of anyone else even if I go without it and if you agree to lend it to me j'ou will get it again if I ever return if not charge it to my ace. in the next world this money will be wanted on my draft from X. Or- leans or St Louis given about the 20th April. Will you write we whether 3'ou can lend me this sum or half of it as soon as con- venient The residue say 2500 to 3000$ I shall have of my own that I can spare from the support of my wife. With regard to the vessell and cargo of Trading articles I cannot order them to advantage until I know the trade which will not be until I have remained in the country a short time, and I ^/n/// not order au}-- thing until I have on hand a return cargo of the results of our ex- ertions, and of the firsi stock taken with us, as a pledge to offer those persons who charter me a vessell and which being insured on their passage home will answer as a remittance to pay for the articles sent out by the vessell whichif purchased at a credit of a year they will be in good season to pay for, and this buisness too I am in hopes to manage between you and Leonard, and I do not see as you need run any risque in this last matter except of my good faith, as the operation will be predicated on the amount of avails which we have at the moment of our ordering actually on hand and to which may be also added all that will be collected between the time of ordering the vessell and her arrival. When you an- swer this letter which do soon answer what you are able to do in tliis matter also. In addition to the offer Mr. Jarvis made me of assistance in Xew York last summer, he has again offered me by letter any assistance which I may want. This is very good in him and will be duly remembered, but I do not wish to avail myself coRR I':spondi':nci:: [65 of it if" I can avoid it wliich I am confident that I .shall be able to do. Something however depends upon your answer. The reason why I wish not to accept of Mr. Js ofler is that I have no claim upon his kindness and I can offer him no prospect of profit lie for the first five years at least all the profit which /can sfiare must go to those who earn them, but after the expiration of the first term ray acquired knowledge will be such as to war- rant me in taking charge of a buisness in which it would be safe and profitable to invest money to a large amount and then those who assist me now will receive their reward, but at present men have not confidence enough in the enterprise to embark their persons in it unless they can have a large share of the profits. I think you had best aliandon the idea of coming on here this fall or winter at least until further news. It is most probable I shall pass through your city on my route to Pitsburg. As far as I now know a packet from this to your place will be the best plan. My best respects to wife and remember his uncle to the little Boys. I am afFtly yrs Nat hi J. Wyeth Cambridge Dec 5th 1831. Trother Leonard (N. York) Since writing you last I have received from Jacob an order on you at sight for 5^600. This I obtained from him on account of his outfit which I can make to more advantage for him than he can for himself $100 is the extent of what I shall spend for him on this account, and this sum will be wanted about ist April certainly not before, and can probably be taken up in Bal- timore of Charles for in all probability our route will be by pack- ett from this -o Balto. direct and thence to Pitsburg. The resi- due of the Draft please retain in your hands in the same manner as though it had been accepted by you, this in order that he may not make a pretext of the expedition for spending the little re- maining money he has and which if given to his order will be en- tirely useless to him and to the expedition. The colonization Society have so far altered their plan as to join the first and second expeditions into one and both go by the way of St. lyouis, Platte River Lewis River Lake Tirapanagos,* Columbia &c. This plan I do not like as women and children can not get started from St Louis before the ist July. They do not propose to set out before the ist June and there will be at least one months falling off from the time set. This with the un- avoidable delay of such a cavalcade will make the ist Sept. before reaching the pass of the Rocky Mountains at the head of the *"A map of the Internal Provinces of New Spain" given with Coues"'Ex- pedition of Z. M. Pike" practicall)' identifies this with the Great S:dt Lake of Utah. 66| wvETirs oRrcoN KxrKniTioNs. Platte River and this is but half way and it is necessary to reach the placo of Destination a sufficient time before the ist Nov to make provision for the winter as al)out that time a s^'^'^t part of the Indians from whom supplies might be had as well as the great- er part of the Birds and IJeasts leave the comitry for southern quarters a;id the fish leave the River for the Sea, and a i)arty so composed and so large will call for all the exertions of all the men attached to th.em, and then leave much undf)ne that might con- duce to the comfort of the party, and in this way it will be at least a year, and I fear longer, before we shall get any time to de- vote to the purj)oses for which we go out viz. making mc)ney, and for this they offer only the poor . dvantage of 200 acres of land, which is hardly a quid pro tpio, ])eside which there is some dan- ger that they may get into so much dinculty as to be obliged to return, which would be an entire defeat of our enterprise, for it would be hard to get men to travel over the same ground twice. It is quite as much as I can do to get good men the first time atid after one failure it will not be possible to get them to start again. These considerations have induced me to delay entering into any agreement with them until the last moment, and not then unless I am better satisfied with their arrangement than 1 am now. If the advantages appertaining to the vSociety can be obtained without a material sacrifice of my own ol)jects I will join them but not otherwise. My plan (in whicli I have proceeded so far as to raise "•6 men) is to raise 50 men to go out to that country so early as to leave St. Louis on the ist May 1S32 for the purpose of following the trade of that country in all its branches for which we deem ourselves competent. Many of these men are manufacturers in the various branches of iron work man- facturing of arms and ammunition and a few to cultivate such ar- ticles as are of use to ourselves and in the Indian trade such for in- stance as tobacco. The proceeds of the exertions of these men are to be divided into 50 equal parts, 2 of which are to belong to Jacob if he goes out as surgeon or to whoever is surgeon 8 to my- self and 40 to the 48 remaining men or fit the same ratios for a diferent number of men. I am to furnish all the camp equipage and trading articles necessary for our first outfit to the extent of 5000$, and to procure credit for the Co. for a ve.ssell and an Invoice of trading articles to be ordered to that country when a quantity of avails sufiiicient to secure the payment for the same has been collected. The first disbursement of 5000$ as well as ihe freight and cost of articles sent out and all other disburse- ments of every description are to be deducted from the gross pro- ceeds before the division mentioned above in other words for fur- nishing the use of 5000$ in cash, and the required credit for ves- sell and Invoice of articles for which I have the goods to pledge 1 am to have the exertions of 7 men beside myself. This though lO c()RRr:sP()Ni)r;xci';: [67 ;1 not :i laru^e share of .(Tross profits is a j^^ooci share oF nett profits, and I shall have to strain some to acv-oniplish ni>' part of the con- tract. 2500 or 3' will be equally true in regard to this. If they propose the ist June they will not cotainly go before the ist July, and after that, allowing the best luck they will not reach any of the passes of the Mountains before the ist vSeptember, and that is the latest month of their proper arrival at their place of destination, and is only half the way from St Ivouis. Vou may judge yourself how much such a host must suffer h\ arriving at their Destination at the Commencement of winter, when the natives (of whom sup- plies may oe had), leave the coiuitry, as well as beasts, IJirds and iishes, and also that it is a sacrifice of one years time in our buis- ness and for which we gain nothing but such a tittle as they can give us of 200 acres of land each. This is not a "([uid pro quo" and if they manage their liuisness as I apprehend they mean to do I shall wash my hands clean of them, at least if I can get along with my plan without them. In this state of tlie case I have not paid to them the 20% on your account, but have made an arrangement by which if I choose. I can with all my Co. be exempt from paying the «ame by being answerable for all the disbursements of my Co. aftar leaying vSt. Ivouis and still retain the ordinary iiriviledgcs of emigrants. 1 shall not make my election until I find v.iiat their arrangements are in order to see whether it is worth while. 13 LMIURKSrONDIvXCi;: f6.; 'I'he loimdatioti of the division ofjirolils in tins ronc'rn will he, niyst'lf tor fiirnishinjj; the re(|iiisite o:ipit;il ;in)fils I)f'- in.^ divided into 50 parts; division at the cud of tiie eontraol vi/ 5 years. Vonr Draft has ])jen thily received and please notify Leonard that it has been ^iven, all arrangements I will notif>' to \-oii in season only one suit of clothes will he rcciuired for you and this one suitable to apjiear like a j^entleman in the ]ilaces throuj^h ^vhich we ^o. A luiiform dress will be provided Ibr vou and arms. Keep all your surgical instruments but buy no more We will buy them in IMiilad. or I'alto. as we goon, which will be about the ist April next whether the .Society go or not. I xlitill dcU^y no longer. In the mean lime conlimie your buisuess or if you must come this way before you go close it and ([uit it and go [o]u with ns. The chief cost of the journey will be coming this wa>- for I shall travel cheaplv oa the nnite outwartls. Vrs X. J. W. XII. Cambridge Dec. 19th 1S31. To the Hon. \\. iCverett Sir Ivnclosed you have a letter from Mr. Xuttall containing in part luy views in regard to this application to the executive. I have to repeat that no view ()f emolument induces it Init only a desire to sjrve the views of the (iovt. in re- gard to that Country. It has occured to me that theCJovt. might avail itself of my services to obtain information concerning that Country which in time would be useful to them. I would v.ill- ingly devote a portion of my time to their service without other ci)m])ensation than the respectability attached to all tliose wh:) serve their country, and the advantage of having some employ- ment for tlie mind, in a buisuess that will afford much Leisure. In order to t)ie better understanding [of] my advantages for collecting information I will detail to you my plan of operations, which is the formation of a Joint .Stock Tradin^^ Company of about 50 men to proceed to the Country, without positively set- tling the particular buisuess in which they will engage but to be dictated i)y circumsnances when there (probably the fur buisuess will be selected). This company will leave this vicinity some time from the ist March to the ist April ne':t. 31 persons have already entered their names. This body will go out in company with the Oregon Colonization Society provided that so- ciety do go at about that time, but will go without them in case they do not move near the time above named, and are to be no other- wise coiuiected with them, than may be dictated by convenience on the route as far as the sources of the Columl)ia. The contract hy 7"] \VVF-:TirS OKI-CON IvXl'I'DITIONS. 13 which this Co. is houiul lojrelher is to continue chirinjf 5 years, and if snccessfull is to he extended through an indefinite time. I have to ask that you will communicate this offer to the (lov- ernmentin case you deem proper, or if you think it better that I make application personally! with relFerence to you) I will do so, hut I have to re(iuest you in nuch case to inform me what department of I should apply to for this purpose. In conclusion I must ask yor to excuse the liberty I have taken in troubling an entire stranger witn ray aff"airs but I am induced to do so l)}- your well known re[a]diness to serve vour constituents and your ability to do so. I am Respectfully Vr. Obt. vServt. Nathl J. W'yeth 1'. S. In case you should answer this, it would much oblige me if you would indicate some method by which I can obtain copies of two treaties in regard to the Country claimed by the V. S. on the Pacific Ocean, and made with (i. H. somewhere about the years 1.S17 &: 1S2S. XIII. Cambridge Dec 26th 1831 Hro Jacob (Howell Furnace Monmouth Cy. N. Jersey) Yours of the 16 inst. at hand. I wrote you on the Sth Dec. an answer to your letter of 25th of Nov. last the following is a summary of my letter of the Sth inst. That I considered 5'our letter as an engagement on your part to go to that Country as a member of a trading Co. in case the Society do not go. That the Society have so far altered their plans as to join their two ex- peditions into one. That I considered this joining of the two ex- peditions as ver>' objectionable in-as-much as it encumbers us with a heavy mass or women and children and other helpless persons whereby great delay and probable failure will ensue. That I have not paid in the 20S on your account but have made an arrange- ment by which with all ray Co. I can be exempt from paying the same by being answerable for all our expenses after leaving St. lyouis, and still retain the ordinary priviledges as emigrants. That I should not make my election whether to be answerable for the said expence or pay in the 20$ until the last moment. That the foundation of the division of profits would be S parts to myself for leading and furnishing the recjuired capital, 2 parts to the surgeon 40 parts to be diveded among the men, contract to last 5 years. That your draft had been received and requested you to inform Leonard that the same had l)een drawn. That one suit of clothes will be requisite for you and this one suitable to appear as a gentleman in, a uniform dress will be provided for you. To keep all your surgical instruments but to buy no more, they are to bp got in Balto. We go a])Out the 1st April next certainlv not later. 14 CORRKSPONDKNCK: [71 '.i i The iibove is a short summary of my hist letter to you this let- ter )'ou have probably received before this time. I have to re- quest that you will continue your buisness to the last moment. I will notify you in season of our movement from this place, and as far as I can see ttiis will be the ist March from here in a ves- sell to Balto. to which place you can then transfer your person and baggage, a" of which, not suitable to carry can be packed and left for a future conveyance by water. Your request in re- gard to the Centinel shall be attended to. Your reouest to ob- tain guarantee and commission from the Society, I \v-ill also at- tend to under the limitations contained in my last. The specu- lations at the close of your letter are those of all who look at the map but neither 3'our or my daj's will see them verified, but our enterprise may lay a foundation. Leonard has just left here and informs me that your funds are in the hands of Charles and therefore he could not accept your draft. This draft I will keep and return when I see you and please send me a similar one on Cuarlc^ N. J. W XIV. Charleston Dec 27th 1831 Cap Dixie \\'ild (Boston) Sir the verbal wish to be In putting into writing preposition which I made you this morning, I do not understood that it is the only shape in which it would be accept- able, but only that this form is one that is readily understood by the parties, and I should conceive that in this way each would sooner come to an understanding of the others views on the sub- ject. That those wl:o furnish the vessell and articles of trade would better uuderstand what they are to gain by such risk and trouble, and that those so furnished would know at one view what they are to pay for the same. If this view meets your ap- probation you have only to say for what per ct. you will enter into the requisite engagements. If any other form of compact salts you better, you will oblige by proposing the same. That a party is to proceed to the Country near the sources of the Colum- bia to De Fuca streights as may be decided, to leave here be- tween the ist March and ist April next, and from whence as soon as may be send home an account of the valuable articles which they have collected, and a schedule of such articles as are wf.nted for that trade, and for the substantial correctness of the ac- count of such collections of articles the agent of such Co. will be bound in the sum of 2000$ to be used as an indemnity for loss occasioned by intentionally false information on the subject. That you are not bound to disburse any sum or moneys for any purpose until information has been received of the collection of such quantity of articles as will according to ordinary- judgement 7a] WYRTH'S ORR(>ON RXPRDITIONS. 15 ( and under usual circumstances pay the cost and charges of a voy- age out and home. That after such information has been received you are as soon as can be to fit out a vessell or vessells such as are required, one certainly and more if j'ou deem proper, and put on board the same at your cost such an invoice of articles as may be required by the agent of said Co. That interest at the rate of ten per cent on the cost of the vessell including insurance and repairs, and the actual disbursements of the voyage for men, provisions &c, cost of articles sent out and 8 per cent int. including insurance, shall be considered the cost of the voyage and that you are to agree to furnish as al ove and for your profit in the buisness are to have — per cent and that this agreement is to last as long as the party continue together under their first contract viz 5 years, or until they dissolve the contract by unanimous vote of said party, which shall in no case be done with a view to evade this agreement, but will remain in force against me personally so long as I shall con- tinue in any way engaged in that trade, until the expiration of the said 5 years. If you or your friends wish to make any enquiries concerning me I beg leave to refer you and them to Mr David Devan of this place who knows more of my buisness character than any other person. I am &c. N. J. W. XV. Cambridge Jany 3d 1H32 Brother Charles (Baltimore) Your favour of the 17th ulto. is at hand. I write in haste to request you to place the note of 888 25-100 aganist Morton Brown & Co in the hands of Judah Touro Esq. of New Orleans and at my disposal. If the note is good some goods can be purchased there as wel' as elsewhere for our buisness please advise him to look to me for instructions on the subject. Please make what exertion you can to procure the to- bacco man, more than one if convenient anr' they are suitable men. I shall leave here about the ist March for your place by vessell and shall see you there and thank you personally for your kindness in thus assisting me in my nroject.s. I shall endeavour that you do not suffer by it. Jacob seme time since gave me aii order for 600$ on Leonard this order being impropcrh- drawn on h I have written Jacob to exchange tor one on you This I had done with a view to preventing him from spending it on his outfits for which purpose now nothing is necessary. This sum I shall not draw from you in any case further than the small aint. recpii- site for J outfits, but wish to know if in case of unexpected need of money at St. Louis for itulispensible articles and the want of which I cannot provide against or obtain in any other way if I iiiirill i!i. i6 CORRKSPONDKNCK: [73 can draw it from you any need of so doing I shall avoid if there is any power in me to do so but it is possible that I may so far miscalculate as to be under the necessity of a little more money than I may happen to have left at that place. Please answer this question in your next. With this last assurance and with the note and what L. will do and my own cash I shall make out to do. As it regards vessells and goods to be sent me I apprehend I have made an arrangement that will provide for all this of this I am not certain but the negotiation has proceeded so far that I think it will be closed and on quite as good terms as I could expect. The other particulars of your letter I have not time to answer but will talk over matters when I see you on my journey out. Jacob is not yet married and in his recent letters to me he has not men- tioned the subject and I hope he will go without for the reasons you name. I hope your children are now recovered. Give your ^"ife my respects and remind little Charles and Nathaniel of their '.xle Nathaniel Affcty Yr Bro Nath. J. Wyelh XVI. Cambridge Jany 3d 1832 Solomon K. Livermore Esq (Milford New Hampshire) Dear Sir I have an unexpected visit from your son w" 10 has left his school of which I suppose he has apprised 5'ou. He seems to me to have arrived to that time of life at which a young man should have chosen some buisness to meet the wants of existence, and done something to fit himself for it. In this line he appears to have done nothing effectual, and he to me seems mortified at the fact. The pride which produces this feeling is laudable and denotes at bottom a well toned mind, and it will certainly even- tuate in something either for his weal or for woe. To humour and direct rather than repress this feeling it appears to uv: i^' the best policy. He talks of the sea and other things, but has >o settled determination except to do something. This determine tion ought to be indulged. He wishes to join our expedition to the Country west of the Rocky Moutitains and I think that it would be well for him to do so, his share of the profits will be large: yi of an equal division. He can there spend nothing, all that his division comes to will be in his hands when he comes home, and judging from the course of that trade heretofore it would Ije no small sum. The countr>' is entirely healthy, the Indians mild in their natures, and entirely peacible. Ves- sells are to be in our employ to run between this place and that, to insure the requirements of trade, of life and means of return- ing if requisite. The contract will give me 8 parts for taking charge of the buisness and furnishing capital, the surgeon will have two parts the residue of 50 persons will have 40 parts to 4i- 74] WYETirS OREGON EXPEDITlONvS. 17 vide among them contract to last 5 years. I think his turn of mind quite suitable to this buisness and I should be glad to have him to go with me, and will endeavour to do well by him. I shall give him no encouragement to go on this or anj- other scheme without your consent, but think you would do well to give it. He will return home in a few days. Excuse th^" liberty I have taken in thus intruding my ideas up- on you but the similarity of his scituation to my own at about his time of life induces me to speak freely in regard to him and to say what he cannot as well say for himself. Be pleased to give my respects and love to all your family and be assured I remain Yr Af. Nephew N. J. W. P. S. His equipment and expences as far as St. Louis are paid by himself in all 50$ this if you determine to let him go you can give him or I will furnish him with it and take it from his share of the profits. We are to leave about the ist March. XVII. Cambridge Jany 6th 1S32 Hon. Iv Everett (Washington) Dear vSir Your favour of 24 ulto. has been received. From what 1 can learn Genl. Cass is of the right stamp of character to make ap- plication to in this matter, but I cannot spare time for a personal interview, being very much engaged in preparation for moving which I intend to do by the ist March. If the matter could be opened to Genl. Cass and his views in some measure ascertained to be favorable I would come to your city and finish the buisness during the time that it would require for my men to march from Balto. to Pitsburg. I cannot think of delaying mj- movements for an object for which I ask no other compensation than the honor of conveying to the Govt, information which will soon be of great value to them. I will request you if consistent with your view of the case to broach the matter to either of the De- partments as you deem most suitable and then to advise me whether it is worth my while to come to your city in my way out to 'Pitsburg. I believe that it is not lawful for armed bodies of men to pass through theCountr>'. I would beg leave to enquire of 3'ou whether any perm ission is required to be had for so doing and if so to ob- tain the same for me, and also what sort of licence or permission if any is requisite for trading with the Indians beyond the R(x:ky Mountains. I herewith enclose a petition which was handed me by Mr. Kelley and signed by some of those who propose to go with me in this enterprise. \Ve have no connection with Mr. Kelleys enterprise further than accident and circumstances ma>' indicate, and only wish that sometliing should be done as an inducement for 1 8 CORRESrONDKNCr;: [75 Americans i^encra/ly to go out to that Country in order to form a preponderating interest there to counteract that of the British already established. Oovt. would poorly serve our interests in granting to the Oregon Society any exclusive priviledges there. Nothitig on our part is desirable excepting aid to get men out there and the enacting of some laws for their regulation when there and then leave us to ourselves. I should be sorry if these petitions should have any other effect than to call the atten- tion of Congress to the subject in such manner as to induce them to act as their wisdom may dictate, in aiding good men to form a set- tlement in that region and to assume the government of the Col- ony when there, and not as the petition may possibly be con- strued to mean to throw the trade or government of the Country into the hands of this or any other society, neither is it our inten- tion to follow our trade in connection or under the patronage of that Society. I wish you to understand that it is at your option to present this petition or not. If you conceive that it will for- ward our interests as above explained, present it, if it is to serve the purpose of throwing the controul and trade of that Country into the hands of a society, whose buisness should be to aid men in getting there, and then leave them to form their own mode of society, withhold it. I have to thank you for your kindness in regard to the treat- ies, and ask you to excuse the liberties I take in thus troubling you. I am &c &c N. J, W. XVIII. Cambridge, Jany ii 1832 Brother L,eonard (N. York) Not having heard from 3'ou since you were here I have been fearfuU you had writen and the letter miscarried. If this is the case please send me a duplicate as I am in want of the names of the persons whose address you proposed to get for me at St. Louis. This is a matter that demands immedi- ate attention. Since you were here I have had letters from Charles. What he can do with what you proposed will answer my purpose. Please, let me kno^^' definitely and as soon as pos- sible what and when you can do. Upon further investigation I find that there will be no dificulty as regards vessells, as they always leave that coast but partly filled, consequently remittan- ces to meet the exigences of the buisness may be made in them at reasonable rates, beside which I have nearly closed with one, already in the trade, who will send out vessell and goods as soon as I leave here and to arrive there about the time that I may be expected. &c N. J. W. I I 76] WYIvTirvS ORROOX IvXPKDITIOXS. XIX. 19 Cambridge Jany i6th 1832 Brother Leonard (X York) Yours of the loth inst. is at hand. The sums which you mention may be available to me in some shape and if so they will be used of which due notice will be giv- en you. The draft of the furnace altho common I should like to have if conveuieut as it will ba as good in any other and I have no small one. It can be sent to me in care of Chas. in Baltimore. You have done well to say nothitig to Mr. Osgood as he could not do enough to help me, and one great credit is easier gotten than twenty small ones. Give my thanks to Mr. Osgood for his kindness in regard to the letter but inform him that it will not be used unless the pres- ent negotiation fails and I do not wish to broach the matter to any but those who are to be eventualy concerned if possible to avoid it. The object which I propose to accomplish through an acquaint- ance at St. lyouis is to have my drafts cashed on Judah Touro a person well known in that section of country and residing at N. Orleans in whose hands I shall place funds and obtain a letter of credit for the amount from him to them. I have money at N. Orleans of my own and some which Chas. has lent me, which I may or may not use as circumstances may indicate. The drafts may be at sight and the money is wanted to purchase goods for the Indian trade. Letters of introduction to as many different people as possible are desirable in order to get information con- cerning Indian trade and other matters connected with the pur- suit of it. I am happy to hear that 3^our loss is all insured I pre- sume you mean with the exception of what you might have made from them and the loss you sustained by not having them, which is or is not a loss as the case may be. This day received a request by letter from Mr. C. your, partner to join the expedition. I presume he means if indeed he means anything as a partner. As this cannot be, I shall after considering the matter with due attention answer in the disuasive. He must be very ignorant of his capabilities. As no one knows the extent of his ignorance of himself all we have to do is to pray that we are not in the same darkness of which we accuse others. Be so good if the fact was not known to you be- fore as to keep it to yourself to save appearances both for him and me as I do not wnsh to be an informer on the actions of any one however much I may think that he needs a guardian. Y &c N. J. W 20 r; CORR KSPON DKXC I': XX. [77 Camhriclge Janv 1 8th 1832 Mr The. Buche IN York) Dear vSir Your favour of 14th inst is at hand I think you have done well to remain where you are \intil you set out to meet us at Balto. I have no idea of whom the person could have been who called on Mr. S. Swartnoute. It could hardly have been any one who had a knowledge of our en- terprise but must have been some one desirous of joining the em- igration to the same country under the auspices of the Society- formed in Boston for that purpose and with whom I do not pro- pose any connection. As you wish to shew this letter I shall omit answering in it some parts of yours. The subjects to which I allude are satisfactorily to me at least settled. According to request. I shall detail the plan of the expedition and also the pro- portion of profits w^hich will accrue to each person engaged in the enterprise. We are to cross the Continent to the shores of the Pacific between 42 and 49 degrees N. Latt. and engage in the Fur buisness. Vessells will ply from Boston or N. York to supply us with articles of trade and bring home or carr\' elsewhere what articles are collected, and .»y means of posts established there save the great delay of vessells on that coast which in the present mode of conducting the buisness amounts frequently to 30 months and will average two years. This item alone would with the ordinary profit of the trade give all the success which we look for beside the great advantage which residents there have over those who can be there but about once in 4 years for the collection of furs and other articles of vakte. As to our route across the con- tinent I can only say that we shall be governed by circumstances On the spot my general idea is that our course will [be] from this place to Baltimore by vessell thence by land to Pitsburg thence down to the confluence of the Mississippi and Missouri rivers and up the latter river to Franklin from that place strike for the Platte River and follow the same to its source in the Rocky Mountains, near which is the southern pass by which we shall make the tran- sit of the mounts which done we strike for Lewis River or the Multnomah which we follow to their junction with the Colum- bia which we follow to the sea and locate our posts on this river or near De Fucas Streights as may then be deemed proper. Our compact is to last 5 years. The profits are to l)e divided in such •manner that if the number concerned was 50 and the whole nett profits were divided into that number of parts, I should get 8 the surgeon 2 and the remaining 40 parts would be divided among the remaining 48 persons. The 8 parts which I take is consideration for m^' services as head of the concern and furnishing the requisite capital and credit for the buisness and ■MM 781 WYRTH'vS ORKOON KXPKDITIONS. 21 ^vhich is to be invested in goods to a small amount to take with us by land, camp equipage, wagons, horses, &c, and in vessells and goods to be sent out to us so as to arrive there within a few months after us. Each man will be required to furnish his own equipments and pay his passage as far as Franklin in Missouri which will amount to 40$ and the surplus to be paid for him from the capital if it amts. to more. In case any very good men apply to you you can engage them on these terms especially Coopers, Blacksmiths, Founders, and ingenious persons of any trade but having nothing to do with any persons who are not industrious and temperate men ard of good constitutions and peacible dis- positions, and in case you engage any their equipments will be brough[t] on with me to Balto, where they can meet us at the same time as yourself by equipments I mean arms and clothing They may therefore come as scantily provided for clothes as pos- sible with the exception of a great coat which should be ample in order to sleep in it. We may be expected to arrive in Balto. by the loth March but when I leave Boston I will advise you more particularly In the mean time please write and give me any par- ticulars which may transpire. I remain &c X. J. W. XXI. Cambridge Jany iSth 1S32 Broth. Jacob Your favor of 6th inst. is at hand enc[l]osing a draft on C. Wyeth for $600. Of this sum so much will be spent as is requisite for surgical instruments, medicines, your own equipments and cloths and travelling expences as far as St. Louis. The residue will be left in Charles hands at interest and for your benefit or if used by me int. at 6 per ct will be paid 3'ou. Your 2 shares are for your professional services and also for all other services which you may render the Co. in any shape for you will be required to do all and everything for the common benefit. If you persist in returning befor[e] the 5 years expire there will be ample opportunity by means of our vessells but j'ou will loose your share of profits during the time that you are ab- sent from dutv Ys. &c N. J. W. XXII. Cambridge Jany 23d 1832 Capt Dixie Wildes (Boston) Dear Sir Having examined your proposition I have satisfied myself that to enter into an arrangement on these terms would be to ruin myself and injure every one concerned in the undertaking and to deprive you of that eventual profit to which 3'ou should look as the reward for engaging in the undertaking and incurring 33 COR R KSPON DKXC K: P7* its ris(iues. In regard to risks I have to say that all you in- cur is merely the risk that the goods which you send out to me to be used on a particular part of the coast may be unsuitable for the general trade of the Coast. So far as this is likely to happen you run some risk, but this is the only risk you incur as all the other risques are insured against at our cost. Even if we should never arrive oti that coast your vessell would have the same chance of making a good voyage that she would have if ex» pressly fitted out for a N. W. Coast voyage with the exception of the risk above stated which as you have *he selection of the cargo need not be great. With regard to the items of proposition I have to say that it is not my wish to assume specific suras as the cost of the voyage and then cast you[r] per centage on *.hem. For instance you as- sume that the vessell will cost 3ooo$. Now altho. this is about what a vessell of i6o T^ons might cost yet it is probably' not the exact sum. Insurance at 4 per cent may or may not be the exact sum paid and 18 months will not be the exact length of the voyage and thus of all the other items. My intention was to propose to you to find vessell and cargo and to agree upon a certain per cent upon their actual cost as your profits in the buis- ness. And as far as goods and cost of sailing -re concerned in- cluding insurance and interest at the legal rate there would be no dificulty but for the vessell some other arrangement must be made. I would propose that a certain per cent on her rtf /?/.?/ cost be agreed upon and the amt. of this per ct. be considered as the cost of her use or charter and on this sum your per centage of profit cast, and making the per ct. on her cost sufficiently great to cover insurance wear &c. In short my object is to arrive at the actual cost of everything and pay a certain per cent of profit on it to those who will furnish me with the accommodations which I am in need of to carry on this buisness. There is a natural impos- sibility in my Cvjmplying with the terms of your proposition, you ask at least 12000$ profit for the first voyage which is in itself as much nett profit as the best voyages have given when no larger an amount of capital was used. In your recent voyage 2 vessells and 1 2000$ worth of available goods and 2^/2 years time was consumed and about 18000$ made whether including int. and insurance or not I do not know but supposing that that amt. was including these items there would have been not a dollar re- maining after paying you 50 per cent on 18 mos. The ex- pences of the voyage were about 1 8000$ as I understood you and would have been 20000$ had you not bought your vessells when they were low and sold them when they were high if you had had 50 per cent on the disbursements of that voyage for 18 mos and in proportion for the extra time it would have amounted to 16000$ and more. mm So^ WYETH'vS ORRnON KXPRDITIONS. 83 You have estimated that the product of our first voyage would be 40000$, This would be more than I think would be be real- ized but allowing that this sum should be realized from the 4000$ worth of goods which I shall take with me. The arming andequiping of 28 men and their time and the disbursements con- tained in your proposition and your 50 per ct. Let us cast all these up and see what each one would get. In doing this we will take first those items which must be paid in any event viz. The estimates of your proposition and 50 per ct 29885$ Disbursements by myself 4000 Int. on same 18 months 360 Arms and traveling expenses out for 28 men a 75$ 2100 Wages for men a 5$ pei month 2520 Which deduct from 40000$ $38865 There remains profit to us 11 35 To be divided among 28 persons which would leave me who have 16 pr ct of the nett p'ofits about 200$ for 18 months. In your first proposition your estimates of the disbursements of the voyage were about the same, and of the product about the same and according to that the profit would have been 20000$ on which you asked 25 per cent as your profit this would be 5000$. In this you ask almost 10000$. It is undoubtedly the interest of both parties to give the other a good chance. If you have all ^the profits, I should very soon be unwilling or unable to carry on the buisness. If I should get more than my due proportion you would not continue the buisness and whether the one or the other happened both parties would be the loosers by it in as much as the buisness must be discontinued whereas if the profit should be more equally divided the buisness would be carried on for a long time to a mutual ad- vantage. I think that you would do well to consider that in case the buisness is good to all concerned it may be extended to aimost any amount and your profits 5 years hence may possi- bly be cast on 20oooo$[?] yearly. To the great increase of the buisness I think that you may fairly look for your increased prof- its. I do not think that in employing only one vessell you could make as much as in the ordinary course of the trade but in the common method it is dificult to extend with advantage in this way an unlimited extension of the buisness may be safely attempted. I am in hopes that you will alter your proposition as it is abso- lutely impossible for me to accept this. It would be far better for me to go out without any arrangement. I could in that case in one year gain the required experience, and product of the goods which I carried out would if shipped home as well might be done in almost any of the vessells which go there, for they return iItt' 24 CORRlCvSPON'nKNCr:: [81 but partly filled, produce the requisite capital. At the cud of the first voyage 1 should have collected here all the capital which I should want aud should have gaiued all the requisite experience for directing it. Vou cannot but see how much better this would be for us than to make an arrangement on your terms which would bind us during the whole 5 years to pay for the capital and ex- perience which we only want for the. first voyage almost the whole of all the profits we could make even in case of the great- est success. I am however very desirom of coming to an agreement with some one previous to going out and think that I shall be able to do it on terms which will offer a fair chance to all concerned. I am particularly desirous of making it with some one already in the trade. I beg that you v;ill reconsider this ground carefully and soon for the time grows short with me and I do not wish to apply to any other persons until all hope of an arrangement with >'ou is at an end. Wednesday or Thursday next I will call and see vou. Respy &c N. J. \V. XXIII. Cambridge Jany 23d 1S32 Brother Charles (Baltimore) Your favour of the i6th inst. is at hand. I note what you say of the note of Morton and Co. nevertheless please forward it as at first proposed. Most of my goods must be purchased at St. Louis, which is the great mart of the Indian trade at which I can not only get what articles are wanted but the knowledge requisite for selecting them and there I shall make all my purchases with the exception of a little Iron and Steel which will be got at N. Orleans and the residue of this and other money I shall draw for from St Louis. If you cannot get a tobacco man please put me up some to- bacco seed sufficient for a considerable crop and have it well dried and soldered up in tin cans. Would it not be well to advertise in some country papers for a man stating generally that he is wanted for a foreign voyage. In this matter do as you think best. As it regards Jacobs affair it is only requisite that I bring on with me an order from father to pay the ballance of account to me, and I will then take what I have expended for Jacob sa^' 100$, and leave the residue in your hands subject to m}'^ draft in case of accident as proposed in my last or to remain as the case may be. The draft as you say can be examined when I am there . I am well aware of what you say in respect to the number of men I think however there is no danger of being troubled with too many. All the other matters contained in your letter either will or have been attended to. Please in your next write me the names of some of the best mercantile house[s] at St. mm Sa] WYETirS ORlvOON KXl'I'DITIONvS. 25 Tyouis and i^ possible procure me letters to them these letters keep but the names send tne as soon as possible. The reveries at the end of your letter are proof that )'ou let that liar and thief "hope" cheat your better senses with idle dreams, the sober truth of life is that man was made to mourn tt) fight and die at last disapointed and broken hearted Vr. Atr. Bro. X. J. Wyeth XXIV. Carabridcje N. H.) Jany 23d 1S32 vS. K. Livermore lisq. (Milford Dear Sir Your letter of the 20th itist is before me. I beg you to believe that I have used no means to induce Thomas to engage in this undertaking with the exception of the letter which I wrote you on the subject and which I read to him. He heard of the expedition elsewhere and came to me for information. I should conceive it very dishonorable in me to interfere in his plans of life otherwise than through his natural guardians. I have in this instance rather held forth to his view the dificulties of the enterprise than its inducements. I shall not even now write him on the subject being content to leave the matter to you and him. If he goes he should be here by the 20th Feb. He wants nothing to bring with him but one good suit of cloths which are decent to appear in in the cities through which we pass. The company dress will be made her[e] as also his arms and equipments. No chest is necessary as our baggage wagon will answer that purpose as far as to P'ranklin, where we take horses and then bags must be used. As few articles of baggage will be carried with us as possible their transportation costs more than their value and they can be purchased any time before leaving the settlements at one of the last of which St. Louis our final arrangements will be made. The bugle of which I spoke to him should be of the plainest kind and the most simple to use and the least liable to get out of repair or broken. It will be used chiefly as a signal for parties at a distance, and sometimes in marching a little music will enliven us. We propose that one should learn it well and then teach all the rest. We shall have as much as ten and to be used alternately so as not to be tedious to any one. I am ut[t]erly ignorant of all kinds and uses of music but have thought that we could march by a number of bugles but if we cannot they will at least do for signals which is in fact their only es[s]ential use. If Thomas will make himself master of the bugle and determines to go please write immediately on the receipt of this, as in case that he does not I must engage some other person to do it. In addition to what I stated to you in my last I will only observe that in case the undertaking should prove unsuc- cesfuU it would be abandoned In- mutual consent in a much 96 CORRIvSI'ONDHNCK: C«s shorter period than 5 years luul in this case Thomas would come home liaviuj? a good knowledge of the hardships of life and consequently more willing to put up with its unavoidable priva- tions and disappointments than he now is, and I question wheth- er it would not be as profitable knowledge as he could acipiire, for as you say, "there is plenty of buisneas here for which he is suitable" if he can only bring down his mind to its dull routine. But I should be sorry to have him go against the incHnations of his parents not to say their positive disapprobation in which lat- [tjercase he certaiidy should not go with me. In case he should go I will comply with your desire in regard to religion. It is a subject which in a peculiar sense rests with each one and his ma- ker, and if I have sometimss agitated the subject with you, it has been more to test and correct if possible my own views of the matter, thati any hope of proselitism for which I am not desirous. I l)eg to be remembered to your goo".tion on these heads will confer an obligation on Yr obt. servt. Nathl. J. Wyeth (Inserted) How to keep and when they go up and down the rivers. XXX. Cambridge Feb 5th 1S32 Mr. Seymour Whiting (New York) Dear Sir Your letter of 3[th ulto. came in due time to hand proposing certain inquiries concerning my expedition to the country claimed by the U. S. on the Pacific Ocean, which I answer as follows. This Company go out for trade in such branches as may be found expedient the terms of agree- ment to last 5 years and to be rendered a permanent ettlement if found practicable and agreeable. No families or other helpless people will be taken until this question is decided, which will not ' I 30 CORR K SPON DRNC R: [87 11! be until w[e] have been sometime there and can judge from a bet- ter knowledge of facts. Young, active and industrious men are wanted and any number will be received that will comply with the conditions of the association. The precise conditions are not fixed the proposition has been that the capital and myself shall draw 8 parts in fifty of the whole profits the surgeon 2 and the remain- ing 40 parts to be divided among 48 persons. This will give 8-10 parts of a full and equal division of profits to each man. This proposition supposes that I shall furnish a suitable outfit from St. Louis for crossing the country and procure a vessell and cargo to go out to meet us on the coast and pay all the expenses for the arming and equiping and transporting the company to S*. Louis which shall be incurred over and above 40$ There are ht re now 23 men who have paid in their first assessment toward the 40$ as above, and there is no doubt of our going before the ist April, the I St March is however the time set for starting. Our cimp equipage is now almost finished and our arms and equipments are partly in the armory and the residue contracted for to be de- livered 20th inst. We deem 25 men enough for the enterprise but are willing to extend the number to any amt. What you say of Mr. Kelley I think will prove true. As yet he has no means of moving a step in the buisness and in my opin- ion never will move. For further particulars I beg leave to refer you to Mr. Leonard I. Wyeth of the lirm of Cripps and Wyeth Pearl St. of your city. What you may decide upon in the matter please make known to me as soon as po- ible, for the time is short. You will be required to pay into the treasury' 20^ for your arms and equipments when you meet us on our \ ay out at Baltimore. The arms &c will be brought with us. Tiie remaining 20$ ma^^ be paid in when voted by the company prior to reaching St. Louis. As soon after you make known to me your acceptance of propositions, not differing materially from the above, as practi- cable notice will be sent you of the time of our moving, place of meeting and other particulars. Yrs &c N. J. W. XXXI. Cambridge F'eb 6th 1832 S. K. Livermore Esq. (Milford N. H.) Dear Sir I have a letter from your son Tliomas intimating that you wish to know what authority I have obtained from Government to trade in the coun- try about the Columbia. In answer to which it is to be observed that the Government has not extended its Laws over that country and claims over it only a right of preemption. There can be no infraction of law where none exists, and beside which the right to trade there is inferred from the public acts of the Government, first in protecting by its public armed ships vessells "j Bi iwi 88] WYETirS OREGON EXPEDITIONS. 3' engaged in that trade. 2dly in the demanding the restora- tion of a trading post taken by the British during the last war. 3dly by a stipulation of the convention between the U. S.:,and Great Britain that citizens of each shall have a right to trade in any country there claimed by either. That the Govt, would have a right to impose a licence to trade with the Indians there in the same manner as they have done in the Territories has never been assumed and I think will not be until territorial governments are erected by them there. I have written to the secretaries of War and State on this subject but have yet received no answer. Thomas mentions preferences and dificulties concerning the two kinds of bugles. These are matters I know absolutely no- thing of. You will oblige me by directing him which kind to get. Only keep in mind that the capability for using as march- ing music is subordinate to that of being used for signals, and that economy, durability and use are before shew and noise. Nevertheless good marching music has its use in keeping up the spirits of the company and exciting the attention of the natives objects by no means to be overlooked, but to be obtained if possi- ble without sacrificing the other. Please present my compliments to your family. I remain Yr. AflF. Neph N. J. W. XXXII. Camb. Feb 6th Mr. Leon. Jarvis (Baltimore) Dear Sir Circumstances impel me to apply to you for assistance in my projected expedition. Hav- ing no claim for your favorable consideration on this subject and knowing you to be averse to the plan I have avoided making this request until the last moment, and to very near the time when I must either cltjse with ven,' disadvantageous terms or commence a hazardous enterprise without adequate means. In the beginning of this thing I was induced to believe that certain persons here would furnish me the small amount of want on decent terms but in this for after finding me fully committed to enhanced their demands, and think to tage. This they shall never do. I am at present trying to make arrangements to fur- nish the whole outfits both by sea and land and have raised what I think will procure me the land outfits and a vessell and perhaps $iooo toward a cargo for her. The amount of goods requisite for this cargo is from 5 to 10000$ which if I had $3000 in cash or good security' I believe I could get on good terms here. If you are disposed to assist me in anj' shape in this buisness I would beg leave to suggest the following as to me the most desirable and as giving to you some chance of capital of which I was in I find myself mistaken the buisness they have use me for their advan- ! I 3a CORRICvSPON DKNC E: [89 1 II I profit as well as loss while at the same time you are conferring a great favour on me. It is this, that you furnish all the goods wanted by us during the 5 years of our present contract at a cer- tain per cent over and above their actual cost including interest and Insurance and to make sale of the product of our trade on a certain per cent commission to have on the first investment sent out 1000$ in cash from me as security for the goods and an equal lien with the owners of the vessell on the goods sent home the said owners to be secured in the sum of 5000$ which must first be consumed before they have any claim on the return cargo and by contract to be debarred any claim on the outward cargo in any case. This, as a considerable amount of goods are carried out with me would put out of the question any ver>' great loss. At the end of the first voyage if the buisness is found not to be practicable, it must be abandoned. If otherwise it will be continued and the proceeds of the buisness will be accumulated here to answer as security for the debts of the Co. This proposition I should not have made to you if Mr. Tudor had not offered me such assistance as would nearly enable me to keep lear of ver>' hard terms, and having so nearly accomplished the object was a strong inducement to ask a thing from you to which I have not the slightest claim, and if the thing is disagree- able to you, I ask you to excuse the liberty I have taken. A strong inducement to this enterprise has been the peculiar state of the trade of the country in question. The American Govt, with ideas of reciprocity in their head made a convention, which after having been once extended will terminate in 1838 with G. B. by which the citizens of either power have a common right of trade in the whole territory claimed by both on that coast. I think this convention will not be renewed becausf 't virtually destroys our trade there by opening it to the competition of the British Co. whose capital and facilities are so great that vessells cannot trade to a profit on that coast the}^ being subject to a long delay on the coast whereas the British trade is effected by posts and their vessells have nothing to do but to discharge and re-load. If at the expiration of this convention it should not be renewed and I do not think that it can be some part of that coast will be an unencumbered field to whoever may then be there, because in the mean time the present American trade in vessells will disap- pear before the more economical methods of the British and mine so far as that has any effect. And I do not think that any other person will think of establishing posts in that country if I succeed in so doing. Of the goodness of this trade if I can get it free from other competition than that of vessells there can be no doubt and I think I may do well in it even under pre::ent circumstan- ces. Another inducement with [me] has been the being obliged to leave one half of my buisness and the insufficiency of the other to secure me employment more than half of the year, or give me 9o] WYETirvS ORIvGON KXl'KDITIOXvS. 3.^ the amt. of income which at this time of hfe I ought to be get- ting. Altho I am well aware that you do not approve of the di- rection ray mind has taken yet your conversation with me at New York convinces me that you think I should make a move of some kind. Now in the kind of move which I have taken I have been guided I think by a sound judgement in regard to my capa- bilities whether experience will justify this judgement rema.ns to be proved but in the mean time I cannot divest myself of the opinion that I shall compete better with mj' fellow men in new and untried paths than in those to pursue which reqitires only patience and attention. You have accused me of want of pa- tience and the world will readily believe you but I think both you and them blend the want of patience and the want or per- severance in one idea whereas I believe them to be quite separate and not at all incompatible. In raising means I beg you to be- lieve that I have not availed myself of m^' position in the family to borrow money or credit of those who it is a duty in me to keep from risque of damage or of any person who is not in a scituation to judge for himself of the danger and to sustain the damage that may accrue and that no extremity will tempt me to do so. I mention this to put your mind at ease on a subject upon which you might naturally feel solicitude. I will conclude this letter by asking of you as a favour that you will answer it as soon as pos- sible as mv time is verv short. I am &c N. J. \V. XXXIII. Cambridge Feb 8th 1832 Mess A. Norris & Co Gent Will you have the goodness to ascer- tain if Traps suitable for the N.West trade can be purchased in your city and if so at what price. They should weigh 5 lbs each have double springs Jaws without teeth with a chain 6 feet long having two swivells in it. Of these I want about 2odoz. If you will attend immediately to this buisness you will oblige me as they are wanted to start almost immediately on their destination. (P. S. Please direct me at this place) Yr Obt Sevt N. J. W. XXXIV. Cambridge Feb 7th 1832 Judah Touro (N Orleans) Dear Sir Some time since I directed Mr. Charles Wyeth of Baltimore to place in your hands a note a- gainst Morton Brown & Co. for 888.25. Will you please get it dis- counted without recourse to the original endorser and after taking out your commissions transmit the proceeds to Baltimore to ray direction to the care rif Mess Wyeth aiid Xorris in a U. S. ( I 34 CORRHSPONDKNCK: [91 ■ M Bank check on St. Louis or Baltimore. You are authorized to pay as high as ten per cent for discounting this note, but please present it to the giver in the first place. The reason of getting this note cashed at so high a rate is not want of faith in it, but an immediate want of money on my part. N. J. W. XXXV. Cambridge Feb 7th 1832 Robt. H. Gardner Ksq Dear Sir Your ver>' polite and useful fa- vour of 4th inst. came duly to hand. As I have carefully examined the mode of taking all the fish caught in your rivers with the exception of salmon the modes described by you were readily understood and are every thing I wished on the subject. It is impossible for me to visit your vicinity at this time. Mr. Tudor's ice must be shipped and that done I must leave imme- diately. In asking you to ascertain from Mr. Palmer the modes of curing salmon, I fear to trespass on good nature and nothing but my inability to get the information elsewhere induces me to trou- ble one whose time I know to be so much occupied. If you will admit this as an excuse I will ask the favour. The kind wish expressed at the end of your letter I value much, in as much as it is highly creditable to have the wishes of the good in ones favour. The older writers affirm that such prayers avail much and this supposition is so consonant to human feelings that I am not disposed to doubt it. Will you accept my thanks for your good wishes and assistance in this matter. Should you have buisness in any part of the world where I am I should esteem it a favor to be able to make a return for these favours. I am &c N J \V XXXVI. Cambridge Feb Sth 1832 Brother Charles Your letter in answer to mine of the 23 and 29th ult. is at hand. Your proposition of purchasing at N. York has been adopted and all goods except a few staple articles will be purchased in accordance to it. Letters to Mr. Johnson will be highly acceptable and usefuU. The request which I made you was to give your name for secu- rity for any contract which I may make for a vessell in the sum of 1000$ and is independent of the 888.25. The 800$ you name will do, and the earliest liability on this will be at the expiration of a voyage commenced at ist July next to last at least 14 months that is 17 months hence. The offer of 25 per ct. of profits for furnishing me goods and vessell was never a good offer. 92] WYKTirS ORK(iOX i:XPKI)ITIONvS. 35 -r, but such as it was they backed out of it, by adding commissions for buying and selling fixing prices of articles, and charter of ves- sell, to such an amount as would have been ruinous and was no part of the original understanding. I have therefore rejected any further overtures with them, and consider that they have broken faith with me and attempted to use me like a fool. I am offered room for shipping home goods on board of 3 vessells now on that coast on good terms and I think of closing the agreement, and taking with me such goods as I know will do and sending home my collections by one of them with directions to forward me such goods and vessells as are wanted which I will then be able to de- termine and the 1000$ for which I asked you to bind yourself will probably be used to enable me to obtain the credit of a ves- sell the arrangements for which I must make before I leave here, so as to be sure that there shall be no fail when it is wanted. I have written to you Mr. Jarvis and Leonard in the same manner as though I were to fit out this thing immediately on my own ace. and Risk because it is possible that I may be obliged to do so, but I would by no means do it if the arrangement above stated can be made, for if the buisness is fi' to be pursued I shall when such vessell arrives here have an am of property in Boston which with $5000 in security in gooc' names (which the 1000$ I ask of you will complete) will enable me to purchase the goods and the vessell on ordinary commissions. It is very important that I do not bind myself to throw the commissions of this buis- ness into the hands of strangers for the whole 5 years of our contract altho. I may be obliged to do so at first as an inducement for giving for me the accommodations which I want. If this buisness should prove successfull the commissions alone would arat. to 4000$ per annum and the control of them I mean to keep if I can to repay those who may now help me of my own family and who may again be in want of something of the sort to keep them up in the world as has happened in days past. If you speak with Mr. Jarvis on the subject yovi can name to him my reasons for not accepting the offer of 25 per cent. I have hinted the nature of my objections to it in a letter to him. I shall be careful not to name what you propose to do to any one, there is no advantage in talking of these matters. I shall probably be in Baltimure by the 1 5th March and may then see you. Please write me whether Mr. Jarvis is angry that I have undertaken this thing. I wish to know on what terms I am to stand with him and how to meet him. He told L. that he though[t] that you had advised me to it. I will undeceive him in this matter. J Will you please to look in the city for Beaver traps. They should weigh 5 lbs. have double springs, Jaws without teeth and chain 6 feet long with 2 swivells in it. Of them I want 40 doz and write me the price for which they can be had cash. If such are 36 CORK KvSPONDKNCR: [93 I not to he found write me the nearest thing you can get and the price. If you agree to he responsihle for rae in any similar sum to the one asked, please write me a letter containing ( nothing else) sta- ting that when called on to do so you will be bound for me in 800$ or 1000$ as the sum may be, for any debt or engagement my merchant here may make for me, payable as an indemnity for my default, on three months notice, at any time after Sept 15th 1833. This letter with others I shall place in the hands of my merchant here, and when I order him to send me out a vessell or goods he will call on you to give said bond as security for the fulfilment of my engagement. If you are willing to do this, please forward the letter as above as soon as possible. And oblige Yraif. N. J. Wyeth P. vS. When I arrive at Baltimore I shall want about 6 horses to carry my goods and wagons to Pitsburg or Wheeling please write rae in what manner they can be hired and for what sum probably. The horses only are wanted harness I have complete. They will l)e wanted from the 15th to 20th March. At New York I will send you specimens of some small articles which I want if I do not get them before you go there. XXXVIl. Cambridge Feb Toth 1832 Mr. John Ball (New York) Dear Sir Your favor of 8th inst is at hand. The letter to Mr Bache dated 18 ulto. contains all the information which I can at present communicate in regard to the plan of the expedition. What Mr. Kelley tells you is not the truth. It is true that I once proposed to join this expedition of his, but I re- linquished that idea when they joined their two expeditions into one, for I consider it impracticable to and inhuman to attempt a passage across the continent with a party composed of men wom- en and children. The undertaking is enough for men. Your observation in regard to the salmon fishing is good, and a strong effort will be made to arrive in season to avail ourselves of it to procure food for the winter. I see no probability that Mr. Kelleys party will move at present. They have made no preparation as yet, nor do I believe that they can ever make pro- vision for moving such a mass as they propose. My party will leave Boston early in March and may be ex- pected to arrive in Baltimore by the 15th of the month. We have now nearly enough men but any number of suitable persons will be received on the conditions named in my letter to Mr. Bache. Please use this letter as one of introduction to Mr. Charles Wyeth of the firm of Wyeth and Norris Merchants Bait- 94] WVHTirS ORKC.ON HXPKDITlONvS. 37 Ir. ilt- imore who is my Brother and has some general knowledge of my plans. This gentleman will leave Balto. for New York about the 25th inst. after which time he may be found at Mess. Cripps and Wyeth in Pearl St. Mr. Leonard I. Wyeth of the last named firm will also give you any information on this subject which he may pos.sess. He is also a brother of mine* If you conclude to join our expedition please give me early notice and J)ear in mind that there will be no avoidable delay in setting out. I am Yr Obt vServ't Nathaniel J. Wyeth. XXXVIII. Cambridge Feb loth 1S32 Brother lyeonard (New York) Yr favor of 3d. has been received I have been fearful! for some time that some things would turn out as appears to be the case Nevertheless be of good cheer patience overcometh all things. I have found a master of a vesselljustfrom the N.W. who will furnish me with the requisite information as to goods and I have written A Norris & Co of your city to pro- cure some of them. I have closed all except drawing bonds with a substantial commission merchant here an agreement which is entirely .satisfactory. He agrees for ordinary commissions to bind himself to execute my order in regard to goods on the strength of furs collected and deposited on the N W Coast and will furnish at my order at any time within two j^ears at a certain agreed rate of charter a vessell or vessells as many as are want- ed to fetch and carry on my furnishing names as security in in- demnity for loss by my fault to the amt. of 5000$ payable three months after loss ascertained. The first vovage cainiot be terminated before July 1834 because it will not be com- menced until a year from the time I leave here and the voyage will take one year and delay four months and the 3 months above added will bring the earliest responsibility to the ist Oct 1834 within a few months of the time which you proposed in your letter of Jany loth for the last payt. Will you agree to indemnify iti my default to the amt. of 1500$ 3 months after damage is settled. If so please write me a letter containing nothing else in definite terms what you are willing to do. This letter I will place in the hands of my -»^erchant here and when I order goods and vessells he will call on you for a bond of indemnity for the amt. A copy of my agreement with him I will furnish you before leaving. Mr. Tudor of his own accord offered to give his name for 2500. This with yours, and a similar one for 1000$ of another person enables me to make this arrangement. This arrangement is all that I want in as macli as there will be next summer on that coast 3 vessells by which I can make shipments home in all prob- ability and at any rate can send information home of what I have collected and what I want which will do just as well. I have .v^ CORKHSl'ONDKNCI- [95 1)eon retiuosleil to lake k-iters to all these vessells with orders to let me have what freijjflit I want on reasoiial)le terms if they are not full of which there is no great d anger as v^ssclls never till up entirely in this trade. Finding how inconvenient this thing might prove to you I have written to Mr. J. to ask him for casli or name to a small amt. if he agrees I shall relieve you of any tronl)le. Vr Aftc cK: N. J. W. XXXIX. i.^i^ Cambridge I'Vl) T3th Sol. K Livcrmore I-sq. (Milford N. H.) Dear Sir Your favor of the 9th is hut this moment received. We may leave Hoston the ist Teuy of next month and shall not he here the 7th day. I f Thomas is to go he must he liere very near the 20th inst as some little time is reiiuired to organize. The bugle buisiieas is well. I never went to Washington for anything rela- ting to this buisness not having been there this four years. I have notified the (^.overnment by letter of the expedition and asked information of them in regard to the laws relating to In- dian trade, and offered to communicate to them any information which I might obtain wliile there. My letters have been an- swered as I expected conveying information in regard to the laws of the trade and notifying that the Department of War would receive and avail itself of any information which I might com- municate. The information which you have received that a party left Boston for that country is not fact no party has left any part of the U. S. within several years for that country and th-^re is now uo American trading posts or Americans there ex- ceiit vrhat may be in vessells on the coast. There are in the space from the Rooky Mountains to the sea and between the 42 and 49th deg. N.Latt. three British trading posts there ma}- be more but this is all that I know of, but between the Columbia River in 46 deg. 15 min. and the Spanish line in 42 deg. and extending back 600 miles to the Rock\' Mounts, there is no establishment of any kind. Smith, Pilcher, Ashly, Soublette, Jackson of the western states are all said to have made money in this buisness. J. Baker and Son, the two Boardmans, Josiah Marshall, I)ixie[?] Wilde, the Perkins of Boston have made money in this buisness, which proves that the buisness must be carried on, which is as much as to prove that those who may become practicably ac- quainted with the buisness and are found capable and intelligent can always have good buisness as agents for others, for all of these men must have agents, none of them go out themselves. Thomas is young and 5 years hence would be earlj' enough for him to undertake buisnes seriously, and he would then be fit if he pays attention to it to conduct any fur buisness and in my ] I 96] WVKTII'S ORKCON I^XPRDITIOXS. 39 estimation there is as tine an opening in this as any he cf)ul(l un- rU-rtakc especially as in this trade knowledge will stand in lieu of capital in a greater flegree than in tnost kinds of Imisness for who had not if he was about sending out an expedition rather give '/^ l)rofits to an experienced man with no capital than to a man with capital and without experience. I beg you to bear in mind that I do not urge his going. If he does go let it be at his own instance and not mine. All I can say is that if he exerts himself he shall have a chance in proportion in any arrangement that shall be made after the five years are ex- ]>ircd and that during tli it time he shall have the same prop, of profits as the o'.her men and be used as well in all respects and receive from me every knidness and attention in my power to licstow. I am Vr. obt. Servt. Xath. J. Wyeth XI.. Cambridge I'cb 13th 1.S32 Mall J. Kelley ICsci (Washington) Dear Sir Your favor of the 7th inst is at hand. However well affairs are going on at Washington matters little to m/ Anything they can do will come too late for my purposes. My arrangements are made to leave here ist .March and I shall not alter them, neither can I delay on my route. 1 wish yi>u well in your undertaking but regret that you could not have moved at the time and in the manner first proposed. When you .adopted the plan of taking across the continent in the ist expedition women and children I gave up all hope that you would go at all and all intention of going with you if you did. The delays inseparable from a convoy of this kind are so great that you could not keep the mass together and if you could the delay would ruin my projects. I am much obliged to you for the information concerning licenses and Remain Vr. obt. servt. Xath. T. Wveth ti XIJ. Cambridge Feb 13th iS'^2 Mess Davenport &: I^yron (,X York) C^ent Yotir fav. of loth inst is at hand. Please order 20 Doz of the traps such as you name and such as used by Mr. Astor to l)e done as soon as possible and sent to Baltimore so as to arrive there certainly by the 7th March. Concerning chains I will advise you farther and also of what other goods are wanted and cannot be obtained in this place. 40 CORRlSroNDF.NCF:: [97 '! Please inform me whether you wish me to send the funds to you or whether you will draw on me. If the latter let it lie at 5 days sight and so as to reach here not later than ist March. I am yr oht. servt Nathl. J. Wyeth XMI. Cambridjfc Feb 17th 1S32 liroth. Leonard (New York) Your favor of the 13th is at hand and as you do not acknowledge mine of the loth I fear it has miscar- ried. In lieu of the proposition contained in it I will ask you to place your guarantee on the back of the agreement which I have made with Mess Hall and Williams which will l)e the same thing to you and save future trouble if loss should arise. You cHiniot be called upon for indemnity short of 30 months which will be Sept 1834 but a short time prior to the last sum named in your letter of loth Jany. and differs so little from your own proposal that I have proceeded on the presumption that you would do it and shall forward the document to your place before the 25th. You will perceive by the agreement with Tucker Hall& Williams that the first shipment that will l)e made (and of course the first responsibility which you will incur) will be predicated on on orders sent home by me which cannot be short of a year. One year more at least for the shi;.ment to return and loss ascertained and unavoidable delnys naIU bring your liability to as distant u time as the one I have named but if you think advisable you can name tht time at whicV" vou do bind yourself to indemnify in the '■\iUy on bucV of , 1^ agreement. The agreement I hnve made is precisely what Mr. (Osgood though[t] could be procured rf Mess. J. Baker and son. I called on them but they would make me no offer, but after having closed with Hall and Co. they were anxious to do it, and expressed them- selves disappointed that it was too late. I would have liked an arrangement with them better because they are in the trade. The others otherwise are as good men as they can be. I am afraid I closed rather hastily but I had lieen bandied much by those iti the trade and I expected the same thing with them. My time was short and the offer I got as good as could jx)ssibly be made by good men. Say to Mr. Osgood tliat I am much bliged to him for his kindness and that his letter will yet lo m-^ service probably in enabling me to make arrangement with Mr. Baker to take any surplus of goods which his vassells are liable to have when leav- ing that coast. Please answer soon. YraffBro. Xathl. J. Wyeth. yS] WYICTH'S ORKCON KXrivDITlONS. 4t XLIII. Cambridjfe Tel). 21 1H32 Mess Davenport i\: Hvroti ( X York ) Cent. The Bond of A. Xor- ris & Co mentioned iti yonr letter of i6th inst I will take up, and transmit the same to you with funds to meet the balance of dis- bursements in a Branch check at which time I will advise you further. I am «:c y X. J. W. XMV. Camlmdjfc Feb 22d, 1H32 Bro. Leonard X. York Your letter of rS itist is at hand. I shall send to New York a copy of the agreement with Hall and Will- iams and Mr Tucker as soon as the same is signed by them which cannot be until the ist March because the stile of their firm is then to be changed. I am pleased that you are suited with these men. I have been long acquainted with them and esteem them highly as honest and upright men. The surplus funds are subject to my order so far as to cover all the disbursements made bj-^ me and any surplus funds after said deduction are subject to the order of the Co. so far as placing them where they please in trust for the said Co and as a fund to secure the debts of the Co and to l>e so kept in trust until the expiration of the 5 years. My agreement with Hall and Williams binds them to deposit in bank any sur- plus fund that may arise in default of orders on the subject. I shall forward to you the agreement to be signed by the Com- pany which will explain to the persons you name the nature of their duties and proportion of profits. In the mean time assure any that call that we are really going to start by or before I St March. When I forward this document I shall give informa- tion concerning the hopes and prospects of the Co &c. and speci- fy how many are then wanted to fill up and of what trades. For this purpose I shall then request you or some other person to ad- vertise in your city. Persons thus engaged will arrive in Balto. as soon as we shall and there join us. This must serve instead of your proposition of coming on by land. Policy forbids sending on the men alone. The offer which j-ou make of a letter of credit for 500$ relieves me much, if you could give me one for 1300$ and in case I draw for more than the 500$ you could draw on Jas. Brown for the sur- plus it would accomodate me much. B will answer drafts for the 800$ at ten days sight and in such case pledge property of mine in his hands to raise it. The guarantee which I wish you to make I have placed on the back of my agreement with H & Williams made payable in de- fault 27 months from date. [Xo signature.] liB" 42 CORRKvSrONnKNCR: XI.V. [99 Cambridge Feb 26th 1832 iJrother Jacob (Howel Furnace N Jersey) I write to inform you that on Thursday March :st we shall form our camp on Long Island in Boston Harbour and that within 6 days thereafter we shall sail for Baltimore. I write thus early that you may loose no time in making preparations for a moove to — [This letter breaks off because a leaf of the letter-book has been torn out at this point.] XI A' I. Cambridge Feb 28th 1832 Mess. Davenport & Byron (N York) Gent. Enclosed you [will find] the bond of Mess. A. Norris and Co. which please pass to my credit, and after making the small purch[a'ijes below named for- ward to me an ace. of your disbursements kvith ballance due you said ballance I will then foi ward to you in a Branch check. These papers must arrive here by the 6th March as I may leave Boston as soon as that time. Let them be directed to jue in Boston to the care of Frederic Tudor Esq. If you find it impossible to get theye accounts here by the time named present them to Mess Cripps and Wyeth Pearl St. whom I will request to settle them. I wish you to send the goods to me to the care of Mess Wyeth & Norris Baltimore and by the steam-boat line if possible to avoid the risk of their not arriving in season. Nearly all the goods wanted have been obtained here. The chains I have obtained. What I new want is 3 doz. Spanish knives of best quality for personal aims 5 ^ inch blade with a set to prevent its shutting when open, 60 to 8[o] yds of red cloth such as is used in the In- dian trade to cost not more than 1.75 per yard of a bright scarlet 6-4 wide. Purchase none unles? of the k's.d you know to be used in the Indian trade, ibout 50$ worth oi beads of the size of the large ones which are enclosed 3^ of the blue of the same shade as nearly as can be ot the small ones. Of the small ones I have purchased an assortment. fNo signature.] XLVII Long Island Boston Harbor March 3d 1832 Mr Seymour Whiting (New York) Dear Sir Your fav. of 27 ulto. came in course to hand and would have been answered before this but for my being extremely buisy in forming my camp at this place which was done on the 'st inst. We shall sail during all the time to the 8th inst [?] for Baltimore per Bg. Ida \vith a fair complement of men. loo] WYRTH'S ORK(iON KXPRDITIONS. 43 This expedition employs so nearly all my means that I find it impossible to comply with your proposal but were my means more extended I would with pleasure do it to ensure the benefit of your company. Say to Mess Ball and Sinclair that we have commenced in the work and shall go on with spirit. They have probably ere this had a note from my brother of the firm of Crippa and Wyeth in whose hand a copy of the compact has been placed. , I am yr obt servt X. J. W XIA'III. 1S32 Camp Long Island Boston Harbour March 3d Mr. H. J. Kelley (Washington) Dear vSir Your fav. of 24th ulto. vas received on the 2nd inst. being the day after I formed my camp at this place. I have not and shall not call on Genl. Mc Neil having written him once and received no answer. I sail per Bg. Ida within 5 days for Baltimore and may be expected there from the 15 to the 20th inst. but shall remain there no longer than I can possibly help. I am perpectly well aware of the importance of cooperation of all the Americans who may go to that countr\' but I am well con- vinced that this thing has been delayed too long already and that further delay will defeat my enterprise beside not being in the habit of setting two times to do one thing. I am quite willing to join your emigration but will not delay here or at St. Louis. You very much mistake if you think I wish to desert your party, but you must recollect that last ist Jany was set at first as the time of starting. I am yr Obt Servt. X. J. W. XLIX. Cambridge Camp Long Island March 4 1832 [This part of the head of the letter and the date are writ- ten with the ink used in writing the first portion of the following letter. All excepting the date is crossed out with ink used in writing second portion.] Bg. Ida at Sea [With ink used in second portion.] Bro. Perry (Nevvbur>' Vt.) Your letter of Dec 22 was received in due time. I have defered answeritig to this time that I might speak as one on the verge of a great event. Yr letter to Mess. Clark and Grau shall be delivered if opportunity serves. Perhaps it is a dead letter. What you write in regard to myself I presume is the truth and that I am not ashamed of, altho. it may be i \ A, U.i. 44 CORRKSPONDRNCE: [lOl sealed ''Cordiality and kindaess is what I always presume on" feeling as tho. I deserve it from the hands of all men in-as-much as they deserve it from me. The though[t] of leaving N. England ,'^>r7r/' has never entered my mind. As to the hazard of it there can be no hazard greater than death (in my crede) and that all must meet at some time and if there were I should not much regret leaving the land of religious freedom as you call it but it is not so to me finding in it [Across the above portion of the copy of this letter is written "continued on the next page." Copies of letters L. and LI. are interposed between the preceding and the following portions.] none of that freedom of religious opinion of which you speak, by freedom of opinion I mean the exercise and iavowal of ones ideas without harm accruing therefrom. Can any one say that my opin- ions have been exercised in freedom and that no harm has accrued to me. Can one any assert that I have not been lowered in the estimation of my fellows thereby? Yet they are as honest opin- ions and as conscientiously believed in and perhaps as much pains and investigation used in their formation as in those ofmost men. Have I not been told that those who believed not in the bible were not fit to be argued with and that too by men who hold themselves especially called to preach forth the religion of love and charity to all men. Are not men of one denomination of opin- ion avoided in all the relations of life by those of another does not the orthodox man employ the orthodox in most buisness that he may have the disposal of does not the temperance society man often say that he will employ none but his own class whereby damage accrues to the other and for merely taking the liberty to exercise his own opinions. And yet you call this a land of civil and re- ligious liberty. I repeat I have not found it such. I doubt not brother Perr^' but you have much at heart my wel- fare both teviporal and eternal a difference of opinion has never in me created any hardness of opinion toward you I have always thoughCl] you sincere in your professions and have respected 5'ou accordingly as one who being convinced that he was in the right path and only path was anxious that all should walk therein for their good. I cannot but respect such disinterested and arduous exertions for the good of others altho. I think them mistaken. I do not ridicule nor would I persecute altho I do not believe but am willing that all should enjoy their own opinions and am convinced that all honest opinions will be tolerated elsewhere if not — [Across the copy of this second portion of the letter is written "continued on the 3rd following page frora last page. " About half of the page designated is cut out. This mutilation of the lx)ok was caused evi- dently by the desire to suppress the remainder of the letter — at least two other letters were sacrificed as the two following remnants indicate:] I02] WYKTH'vS OREGON i:XPKI)ITH WS. 45 Camp Long Island Head Boston Harbor V arch 6th [832 Mr K. E. Lansing (New York) Dear vSir "our favor of 2nd inst is at hand I have instructed my brother of the firm of Cripps & Wyeth Pearl St. your city — [Half leaf removed.] -advised if I had given any on such a subject. You can commu- nicate at least twice a year, and if the expedition is fortunate you will be able on your return to live in the stile you like, if otherwise the thing will be abandoned within two years and you will return just as well off as you are now. Please consider this my last letter from this place. I am yr afte Bro. N. J. Wyeth [Copies of six letters at least were inserted between 2nd and 3rd (which is missing) portions of letter XLIX. This indicates un- unusual deliberation in writing that letter if not hesitation in copy- ing it into his book. The irregularity in the order of appearance of the letters in this part of the book is most likely due to a. failure to have the letter book always at hand in passing back and forth between Cambridge, Camp Long Island, and Boston.] -at Ints L. Boston March 9th 1S32 Brother Leonard (New York) Enclosed you have a check in fav. of Mess. Davenport and Byron for 450$ with which please settle the balance due the above gentlemen of 525.79. The above is all the money that I can spare at this place. The surplus you will oblige me by considering as in part of what I am allowed to draw on you for. If you cannot do this draw on me in Baltimore and it shall be refunded. I am &c X.J. Wyeth. , LI. Boston Marcii 9th, 1S32 Mess. Davenport and Byron(N York) Gent Your fav. of 3d inst. is but just received and is ver\- satisfactory. Please accept my thanks for the promptness with which you have attended to this buisness. By this mail I have made remittance to Mr. Leond. I. Wyeth of the firm of Mess. Cripps & Wyeth Pearl St. your city on whom please call for settlement. I go hence by water therefore cannot have the pleasiire of seeing you in N. York as you are po- lite enough to hope. I am yr obt servt. X. J. Wyeth. i^S 46 CORRKSPONDRNCK: UI. [103 Cambridge March 5th 1832 Bro, Leond. (New York) Mess. Tucker and Williams will for- ward to you the agreements between them, Henry Hall and my- self on both of which you will please place your guarantee for $1500 and request Charles to do the same for 1000$ and in case he is not in your city send them to him to execute and in either case have one returned whence it came and the other sent to me at Baltimore, also all letters of credit which you have for me to arrive there from the 17 th to the 20th inst. Please take a copy for your own satisfaction and request Charles to do the same. I shall not write to you again from this place but will endeavour to do it from Baltimore if I do not see 5'ou there which if buisness permits would gratify me much. All well here and in haste. Yr afte. Bro. N. J. W. Ull. Cambridge March 6th 1832. Bro. Leond (N. York) Your fav. of 3d inst. is at hand. My let- ter book is at Long Island therefore cannot give you a duplicate of my leiier of the 27th inst. I think it contained some agree- ments between myself and men and instructions to engage 15 who would comply with the same, and write notes to all those had seen you on the subject. This letter was enveloped in a newspaper covering post paid to the care of your firm. Please on the receipt of this write notes to The. Bache, care of Mr. Swartwort tne collector and to E. E. Lansing care of Mess Whit- ney and Mc.Farlan 91 Maiden Lane stating that such a letter has miscarried. A duplicate I will send to-morrow. We sail in the Bg. Ida for Baltimore on the loth inst. The letter to E-* E. March is received for which I thank you. I am Yr Afte Bro N. J. W. IJV. Camp Long Island Head Boston Harbor Mr. 5th 1832 Mr Theo. Bache (New York) Dear Sir Your fav. of the ist inst. is at hand. Our camp was formed at this place on the ist inst. We sail for Baltimore in the brig Ida on the 10th inst. and should we have a good passage we may be expected to arrive in that city by the i8th by which time please be in that city. Ere this I suppose you have received a note from my brother of your city in whose possession you will find a copy of the con- tract to l>e signed and which will l)e done when you meet us. I04] WVRTH'S OREGON RXPRDITIONvS. 47 The letter from Mr. Lansing is at hand and is answered by this mail. I am &c N. J. W. [Half leaf of letter book is here cut out. This mutilation de- stroyed the 3rd portion of letter XLIX. and the main parts of two letters remnants of which are given in connection with let- ter XUX.] LV. Boston March loth 1832 Mr John Ball X. York Dear vSir This is to inform you of our sailing this day in the Baltimore Packett Ida and to request you to meet us at Baltimore as soon as the i8th near which time we may be expected to arrive in the city. When there enquire of me of Mess. Wyeth & Norris Markett St. Baltimore. Yr Obt Servt N. J. W lA'i. Boston March loth 1S32 Mr. John Sinclair (X. York) Dear Sir This is to inform you of our sailing this day in the Baltimore Packett Ida and to re- quest you to meet us at Baltimore as soon as the i8th near which time we may be expected to arrive in that city. When there en- quire of Mess Wyeth & Norris Market St. Baltimore for me. I am yr. &c N. J. Wyeth LVII. Bg. Ida at Sea March 15th 1832 Bro. Leonard (New York) Fearing I may not see you on my arri- val at Baltimore I employ my leisure in writing to you. I have given Mr Brown a power of at[t]orney to act in my behalf. This I did because he is on the spot and also more intimate with my affairs than any other person. Another reason was that there is a bank getting up in Cambridge of which he cannot fail of being a director, and through him if I wish I shall have the power of raising money provided I make him sufficiently intimate with my affairs. If successfuU my operations will require a large sum of money and a bank in Camb. will be the one to raise it from and by placing my unavailable property at his disposal it may be used through his endorsement at a bank that will always want cusr tomers. I have not yet made up my mind whom I shall commis- sion to examine the ace. of Mess. Tucker and Williams and I think I shall not at present commission any one to do it inas- much as nothing will be required until the shipments are made nor do I know that any examination will be requisite until the ex- piration of five years. If you think otherwise and are willing to at- ^H 48 COR R KSPOX DKN'C K: ['"5 tend to it I will request them to forward their accounts to you. I shall sand you certified accounts of my disbursements in liehalf of the Co. These are available according to the agreement as soon as the amt. can be spared from the operations of the concern without interest, as also all private loans to the different members on account of their outfits and traveling expenses and notes or due bills for the latter I will forward you from St. Louis or PVank- lin in order that I may send 3'ou all aL once. As to the commis- sions of this buisnass they are all mortgaged for the 5 years and must go to Tucker and Williams. I should have been l)etter pleased to have kept them at my own disposal but I could not do it and perhaps during the 5 years it would be no object. I have obtained letters from J. Baker and Son vhich will enable me to send home goods and information by their vessells also to pur- chase any surplus goods that their vessells may have when leav- ing that coast. This may be an advantage to both saving them the loss of carrying home a few useless goods and enabling me to purchase what I want without paying freight. Thej' also if they continue the salmon [trade] wish to make arrangement with me to put up their cargoes which I may do provided it does not interfere with my own trade in this article. I like the men much and if it lays in my way to do them a favor it certainly will be done. Letters will reach me through Tucker and Williams Bos- ton and I enjoin upon you to write me as often as you have an opportunity and you may rest assured that I will do the same . My journal I shall send one copy to Mr. Brown and one to you and Charles jointly. These you must preserve with care as it will be intended for publication if on finishing it is found worth it, and as the character of the expedition will depend much on this care must be used that it be not lost or divulged, as pub- lication would destroy one half of its value and it may be that I would not wish all the facts of the trade divulged before I have done with it. As I am leaving all reasonable vicinity I must bid adieu to all my friends among w^hich I number your good wife. Say to her that her life has been checkered with heav3' afflictions but still there have been other misfortunes more difficult to bear, that there is comfort in some sorts of affliction but in others there is naught but bitterness and that as we advance in life we are gradually weaned from our love of life until we pass naturally from this to another existence and that death which in early life we dread so much I doubt not may come a welcome visitor to the weary and worn in misfortune and to those whose dearest treasures have gone before them. Say to the little girls that their uncle Mat has gone far from them but that in the wilder- ness he stil[l] remembers them while probably in a few months he will be forgotten, all but the name b}' them and this I have no io6] WYRTH'vS OREGON RXPRDITIONvS. 49 doubt you will keep in their miuds, life is too full of pleasures for them to remember their distant friends long. My health is pretty good and hope and excitement has made another man of me. I am determined to give up no more to melancholy feelings but rouse myself up to exertion and enter- prise and forget the things that have been and all but what is be- fore me. If I am successful there will be some comfort in it if otherwise I will have some serious and present misfortunes t- keep me from brooding over more distant and metaphysical ones. If I fail in my enterprise it will be an undertaking that few men could even look at if successful it will be fame and wealth enough to keep me on a par and in standing with the best other circum- stances to the contrary notwithstanding. The present which Mr. Tudor made me on settlement is as fair an offset to Mr. J. . . con- duct that in a civil way he shall know it, it is too good an enco- mium on my character to keep from him. You need not be alarmed for my temper, for I will keep the advantage of coolness over him and he shall find that I have more patience than he im- agined and too much pride to shew that he can hurt my feelings even if it is really the case. I expect a little spleen from him but he shall keep it all to himself he shall not infect me with it, it would gratify him too much. I left our parents all well and also the other member:-* of the family some scolding and some crying, and both to equally little purpose, altho thej' have their effect and show who values us. I am &c N. J. W. P. S. Baltimore March 24th 1832 I arrived here on the 23d inst. and received your fav. of the 1 5th enclosing a letter to Tiffany Shaw & Co. and check for 424.21 which is ver^' tim'^ly, as Charley had even forgot to for- ward Mortons note which he had been twice directed to do. I shall leave this on Tuesday and shall wish to receive an answer to this at Pitsburg. I^VIII. ly ife to iSt he no Baltimore March 24th 1832 Judah Touro Esq. (N. Orleans) Dear Sir J write to apprise you that on my arrival at this place on my way out to the Columbia River I found that my brother Mr C. Wyeth had neglected to forward to you the note against Morton Brown & Co. referred to in my letter of the 7 th of Feb. last. The note will be disposed of here or left behind or sent to you, in the last of which cases please look for advices to Mr. C. Wyeth. Please excuse my troubling vou in this matter. I am &c X. J. W. ! i 50 COR R K«rON dp; N'C v.: UK. [107 Haltimore March 24th 1832 Mr. H. J. Kelley (Washington City) Dear Sir I arr]i]ved here on the 23d at midnight and have received your favor of same day. I will take charge of any of the emigrants who will defray their own expenses at any part of the route provided no delay will be occasioned to my party. I leave this on Tuesday next for Pits- burg and should be pleased to receive from you a copy of the map referred to in your letter. N. J. W. LX. Baltimore March 24th 1832 Mr Jas Brown (Cambridge) Dear Sir I arrived here on the 23d inst. after a severe passage. Please fix in your mind some means of mortgaging my house for about $800 — and pledging the note of F. Tudor for its amt. in order that when drawn as I possibly may you may not be put to inconvenience. I shall be obliged to draw at short sight if at all, on ace. of the scarcity of money at the West. If you feel able to do it, forward to Leond. I. Wyeth another letter similar in tenor to the first, allowing him to draw at what sight you are able and for what further amt. you think your- self safe in doing. I hope and think that I shall [not] call for more than |200 but wish to be on the safe side. On board the Brig Ida you will find a bundle of nine Buffaloes which are I. Reads please pay freight and hand them to him and pay the damage and give him ray thanks. Give my love to your good wife and boys. Vr friend N. J. W. LXI. Brownsville April 6th 1832 Brother Charles (Baltimore) I write to apprise you that I shall have to draw on you in accordance with your letter of Cr. given me by Mr. Norris for 300$ from Wheeling and in case I should not be able to dispose of such draft I shall from that place request you to forward me a Branch Check for the same. I write this knowing the state of the money markett and in order that you may be prepared. N. J. Wyeth. hXll. Pitsburg April 8th 1832 Bro. Leonard (New York) Your fav. of 28th ulto. is at hand. I shall in case I fail to obtain money on a letter of Cr. from Charles TOBI WVKTH'vS ORKflON KXPHDITIONS. 51 lor 300$ draw on you for the 1 100 provided I want so much and if 1 want more I shall presume to draw on you for the full amt. of 1300 and presume that Charles will meet the same.as I relieved him from doing so at Baltimore, and Mr. Brown can certainly avail himself of sufficient from my property in his hands to meet any thing that I will draw. Jacob says his trunk is worth $100 you may therefore calcu- late it $25. It can be of no importance to me nor do I believe to himself. Leave this morning direct for St. Louis. I will re- quest Jacob to write to you. There is a balance of a draft of Jacobs for 150$ with father's endorsement thereon in my favor on Charles, and this amt. I shall not use and from this you can reimburse yourself if you deem ad- visable and I will retain the draft for your advantage. As Charles has seen it he cannot refuse to pay it. The draft is for 600$ and is in my hands. $450 was consumed by a little cash and the letter of credit above referred to. I will send it to you on Charles if you direct me so to do, at St. Louis where I wish to receive an answer to this. N. J. W. hxiu. Pitsburg April 8th 1832 Bro. Charles (Baltimore) Being Sunday cannot sell a draft on you. Please pay the amt. of your letter of Cr. to Leond. L Wyeth and oblige Yr Afte Bro X. J. Wyeth. LXIV. Pitsburg April 8th 1832 Mr H. J. Kelley (Washington) Dear Sir Your fav. of 29th ulto. is at hand. I will in conformity with my first assurance given in my letter of 23d ulto. take charge of ten of your emigrants. Any further arrangement must be with the persons who are disposed to go out. My reason for this is that I am bound by my engagements to my Company and must consult them in regard to any arrangements on the subject but you need not by this understand me positively to refuse it as I do not know how the Co. will be disposed to act. I shall at all times be disposed to further an emigration to the Columbia as far as I deem, on actual knowledge of the country', that it will be for the advantage of the emigrants, but before I am better acquainted with the facts I will not lend my aid in in- ducing ignorant persons to render their scituation worse rather than better. fNo signature.] sa CORK I'lSPON DKNC K; [109 I.XV. Citiciimti April loth 1S32 T^eotid. Jarvis Ksq. (Baltimore) Dear Sir Your fav. of the 5th inst. came safe to hand, enclosing the very acceptable letters to Mess Pilcher & Sanford, also authority to draw on you for $500 if my necessitys required and if such happens to be the case I shall advise you of it. You have my thanks for the kindness and you — LXVI. [Letter LXV breaks off abruptly. Letter LXVL opens with- out date or superscription. As they appear on pages numbered as consecutive the inference would be that occasion suddenly arose to pack the letter lx)ok at Cincinnati and not again use it until Ft. Vancouver was reached. The words "Probably to F. Tudor F)sq." are in Mr. Wyeth's hand.] Probably to F. Tudor Ksq, On the 4th of Jany inst. the wind vered to the N.E.and immedi- ately the weather which to that time had l)een rainy and warm set in clear and cold, li1 ■ that you have when the wind is N. W.but not so cold, the ler. var>'ing from ladeg.to zodeg. above zero. The Coluribia as near as I can find freezes up about half the years. Last winter and this it has frozen. The ice when it freezes smooth is good. It is now about 6 inches, but the sur- face is a complete chaos, but as this trade will not soon thrive in this quarter it ceases to be a subject of interest. In an agricultural view there are many advantages in this country the most prominent of which is that the opemtion of plowing need never be suspended more than one month, and one half of the years not at all, (thereby giving much more time for the farmer's work,) and the facility of feeding stock in winter for the snow seldom falls here and the horses and cattle feed out all the ^'ear. When the wind comes from the land it is cool and drj', wnen from the ocean it rains incessantly. There appears to me to be but a small proportion of the countrj' fit for cultivation. Near the sea the country is mountainous and rough so much so that I believe 9-10 of the land could not be ploughed. Farther in the interior the nights are frosty all sum- mer the earth excessively barren producing but a scanty portion of very nutritive grass, and I presume there are few parts of the earth where less moisture is found than in the interior of this country. The best part of this country that I have seen is on the Wallemet but I am informed that there is a good section of country near Pugets Sound and on the Cowliskie River. On the Columbia itself there is little or no valuable land. Of the Sal- mon and Fur buisness I can inform you nothing as no buisness letters can go out of this country by this conveyance. When I lio] WM.TH'S ORKC.ON IvXPRDFTlONS. 53 arrived at the British posts my men what were then left being determined to wander no more I was left to ray scxf in this di- lemma. I was invited by Dr J. McOlancland (C.ov. in l)ehalf of the H. H. Co. in this conntr>') to make this post ray habitation until I returned. I have l>een treated in the most hospitable and kind manner by all the gentlemen of this country. There are far lore of the comforts of life enjoyed here by tlie residents than is imagined in the states. Resi)ectfully yr. obt. vServt. Nathl. J. Wyeth I.XVII. Fort V'anoouver Jany i6th 1H33 iJear Parents (Camli) After much delay and somt> difficulty in the shape of long marches on fwn I am at last here a .d now am as much in haste to get back again. From hunger 1 have suffered not much. This climate proves to be warm and agreeable but in winter rather too much rain. You may expect me home in October next. Jacob could go no farther than the mountains. His heart looked back 10 the thingK of home and he could not see the re- turn convoy depart alone. Livermore deserted me twelve days out from the settlements. Both are I hope safe with their friends but the latter behaved very* dishonorably. I do not write much at the present as I hope to be so soon with you beside I cannot by this conveyance touch on matters of buisness all I can say is that the first of it looks bad enough. If I should be longer in re- turning than above stated do not be alarmed for in the way I shall travell there is no danger except of my health and that is now pretty good. My party have now all left me and I have hired two men who are to return with me. I have in time of need found (i!i this land of strangers) kind friends who have alle- viated all my sufferings with the exception of that one which arises from a consciousness that I shall nt er be able to repay to them those civilities that I have received but I am sure that the opportunity of assisting me has afforded them pleasure. You can have but little idea how much men improve in some points of character in scituations like these. If olite carriage and shrewd intellect are best acquired in mote p »pulous parts of the earth, generous feelings are fostered by the wilds, and amid sav- agt s the civilized man seems to uphold his character better than among his fellows. Yr. afte son, Nathl. J. Wyeth L,XVIII. I'ort Vancouver Jany i6th [833 Mess. Tucker & Williams (Boston) Gent I am not at liberty In' this conveyance to send you any information touching matters of 84 CORRKSPONDKNCR: [HI ii^! buisiiess. I cati say to you nothing farther than that no orders will come to you from me at present. My parly have ;ill left me and I am about returning across the mountains with two men that I have hired for the purpose. The small amt. of goods which I took with me are deposited in the interior as well as some furs. Of these I shall endeavor to avail myself on my re- turn route but their value is not sufficient to tit out a sufficient party expressly for them and unless I meet a party going very near my deposits I shall dispose of them or leave them as may happen. Perhaps so much as the above may be allowed to pass by this conveyance. We have not suffered much owing to the politeness and attention which I have received from the Traders of this country both English and American. They have always given me all the information and assistance in their power. I am Yr. Obt. Servt. Nathl. J. Wyeth hXlX. Fort Vancouver Jany i6th 1S33 Brother Leond. I write you this which will reach you near the same time as myself provided I meet with no accident, but write for fear that this should be the case. My route will be across the land to about hatt 43 deg. in the Rocky Mountains and so down the Platte to the Missouri. This letter will reach you by the fa- vor of the H. B. Co. to whose agents in this quarter I am much indebted for assistance and information but for obvious reasons I cannot touch upon matters of buisness in a letter conveyed by them further than to say that I shall draw on you or Charles for a very small amt. due them for supplies and please consider this as notice for the same. My journey hither has been attended with much less difficulty than I expected but it appears the hard- ships of the undertaking are much greater than those with me anticipated as they have as they fell in with chances deserted, so that I now have but two men whom I have hired to go back with me. I think I may reach home in Oct. or Nov. next but it need oc- casion no alarm if I am detained a year longer. My object in re- turning by a different route from that by which this will reach you is to avail myself of some deposits of valuables which I have in the mountains. If I am so unfortunate as to meet no Amer- ican party going to the states I will not be able to come for it is too dangerous to cross the mountains with but three men and those not the best for such a purpose. My health is pretty good and I enjoy myself as well as I can while dependent on the hos- pitality of others. I make this letter short expecting soon to be with you. You will give my respects to j'our good wife and love to the little nieces. Mv respects also to Mr Osgood. Yr. afte. Bro. Nathl. J. Wyeth. 113] ir- is VVVKTirS ORKC.ON KXPHDITIONJi. LXX. 55 he Port Vancouver Jany i6th 1H33 Brother Charles i Baltimore,' This will l)e. short and I hope sweet. It comes to you by the politeness of the Hudsons Bay Co. and as a matter ol consequeiiC2 cannot contain matters of buisness. From the agents of this Co. I have received all manner of atten- tion and assistance rendered in such a way as to make it palat- able. I expect to be with you about the time that you receive this but if I should be a year later do not l)e alarmed for it is en- tirely a chance if I meet with an American party in the upper country and if I do not, I must remain on this side of the Mts. I have now with me two hired men only, all my party having left me, and with only three men I will not undertake to cross the mountains beside when I am in a country where I can get horses to ride, BuflFaloe to eat, and Deer skin to wear I am as well off as I can Ije anywhere and if I make no money, I shall loose none and so much of life will be gone, all the trouble of life will be all the same a hundred years hence. From the Hudsons Bay Co. I have drawn some supplies and for these I shall draw a small draft on you or lycond. and please receive this advise of the same. Our journey out was attended with few of the difficulties anticipated as also with less of the romance and adventure. I expect soon to be with you and therefore do not write so much in full as otherwise I would. Please present my best respects to your good lady and to the little nephews. My name sake is by this time a famous fellow and I hope he is as much like him he is named for, as little Charlev, that is much more quiet and tractable than the latter. ' Yr. Afte. Bror Nathl. J. Wyeth. LXXI. Fort Vancouver Jany i6th 1833 Ifir n<\ . J ari'i ■ '".sq. ( Baltimore) Dear Uncle I write j'ou, because it would be unpardonably in me not to do so whenever I have an opportunity rather than because I have much to communicate. Matters of buisness cannot pass by this conveyance which is through the Hudsons Bay Co. I am about returning to the states by the same route by which I came which I do to obtain some de- posits of valuables which for want of horses I left in the interior. In this I shall probably fail but the chance is worth trying for. In case I am successful! I may arrive in your city about Oct. next but if any disappointment occurs in meeting some Amer- ican party I may be a year later. My party have all followed suite — ^^ 56 CORRKSPONDENCK: [113 [The removal of a leaf from the letter book at this point makes the copies of letters LXXI and LXXII fragmentary anc' prob- ably caused the entire loss of several other letters.] LXXII. — the Bg Sultana lx)und to the Columbia owned by Joseph Baker and Son to the master and supercargo of whicft I had let- ters of Cr. to enable me to take any supplies from her that were wanted at certain regulated prices settled in Boston 6th [a]s to abandoning the enterprise it was by their desire to a man. If the above does not justify me from all reproach except ignorance I must bear it but at the same time with a conscidi'.sness of not deserving it. The enclosed proposition I have forwarded to the Gov. through Mr Herron by whom I was induced to make it. While with you I had no idea that any arrangement of the kind could be made otherwise should have handed it to you. I do not ask you to put in a good word for me because I know you will d' it if con- sistent with your judgment and not otherwise. If you remain in the country I shall have the pleasure of seeing you again as I am determined, at the present moment, to revisit it and eisdeavor to improve by past experience. Of this letter you are at liberty to make what use you think proper. It is intended to meet any strict- ures that may be made on my conduct (for where there has been suffering there is usually crimination) and to explain anything that to anyone may appear misterious. I cannot close this with- out expressing to you how much I am indebted to Mr. Pam- brun Mr. Herron and Mr. Hermatinger for the attention they have shown me. Should any American vessell come to the Columbia there will probably be on board and I think to be delivered to any British post «ome articles for me. The order which I gave if I recollect right comprised Books, seeds and clothing. Should such come to hand the seed you will consider for the benefit of the Country', and should be used to prevent loss. Books you will take for yourself and all other articles after one year from receipt if not otherwise ordered sell for the benefit of such persons as you deem most worthy of it. Will you allow me the priviledge of writing you from home. N J Wyeth IvXXlII. Inclosing copy of proposal contained in next letter. Fort Colville March 12th Sir 1833 I am induced by gentlemen in this country to suppose that you would enter into some arrangement for a supply of goods and therefore send the enclosed proposal. I left the Boston in March last with 32 men with the intention of forming on the Columbia BHilii ii4l WYRTH'vS ORKOOX KXPHDli'IONS. 57 or south of it [a post] for collecting furs and salmon to be sent to the States by vessells ordered therefrom such vessells to bring out the goods required for the trade. My plan was based on the fol- lowing grounds viz. that Salmon (worth in the States i6$ per Bbl. of 30 gallons) would pay all the expenses that goods intro- duced by this route would be entitled to the drawback and this would be ii consideration as they are nearly all foreign to the States and being coarse pay a heavy duty, that the saving made in the purchase of horses here instead of at St, Louis is at least 25$ per head, that the danger of transporting this side of the mountains is infinitely less than on the other and the distance to the Fur country much less. In the first part of said undertaking I have completely failed. All my men have left me and what goods and valuables I had with me have been expended or deposited where they will probably be lost to me. I am now on my return to the States for the purpose of forming new arrangements to carr^- my original plan into execution. In case I make no arrangement with the Co. I shall if I arrive in Bosl >n by the 1st Nov. next come to the Columbia the following summer, if I arrive later I shall be delayed until the next. It appears to me that as an American I posses some advantage that an Englishman would not inasmuch as I can visit parts of the country from which he is excluded and still not so remote in point of distance difficulty or expense as from St. Louis. I have already lof t largely from a capital at first small and am there- fore desirous to proceed on a more secure plan even if it should offer less prospect of profit. I have to observe that in case of agree- ment being made I will give surety satisfactory to the Co. for ful- filling an)' part of the same or if required will deposit in their hands a sufficient sum for the same purpose. The only objection to the latter would be the diff*erence in the rate of interest in the states and with you. In case of an agreement for supply of goods the supply of men would still be a consideration. If men could come to this side of the Ry. Mts. as early as July a fall hunt might be made which is ail that can be done from St. Louis. Canadians are to be had cheaper than Americans and are for some purposes better men. Their conveyance would not be so expensive as horses would be saved which cost 30$ at vSt. Louis and tb' to which the H. B. Co. have access. 6th In ca.se said Wyeth faithfully performs this said agreement, then the H. B. Co. at the end of the time agreed on is to pay over to him any balance that may be due him in cash or goods as the said W. may elect and at all times he is entitled to claim from them in cash any balance which may be due him over a ' above $1000. LXXIV. To Captain Bonneville of Salmon River June 22d 18^3. Sir I send you the following proposition for a mutual hunt in the country south of the Columbia river which I visited last autumn and winter. As to fie prospect of Beaver there I will only say that 3 nave no doubt of taking 300 skins fall and spring. As much sign as would give me this I have seen. I have little doubt much more might be found, but in that country a hunt cannot \^e 1161 WYl'TH'vS ORKOON RXPKDITIONS. niae my apology for troubling you with this. I hope you will not deem me impertinent interested in the information I send you. I tell you plainl}^ that all my prospects of doing any thing on the coast with no more means than I have still left of my own are at an end. I have traversed the country in many directions and found all tho.se places which [are] accessi- l)le to shipping occupied or about to be so by the H. B. Co. who are efficient opponents. The salmon alone without the fur I deem doubt full. Not that enough could not be traded of the na- tives by a vessell in the Columbia but when you trade fish of the Indians it is fresh to be sure but not fresh enough to salt for a long voyage. Fish to keep well mu.st be salted immediately from the sceine. If the plan is to catch them yourselves, I think it is at least as doubtfuU possibil[i]ty. It appears to me that the impression of the vast quantity of salmon in the Columbia' arrises from not considering the vast number of Indians employed in catching what is seen. If each Indian catches three a day it would feed his family and still permit him to bring one along side, and this would give more salmon than would be requisite for a cargo biit salmon would in this case be from 6 to 30 hours out of the water which is far too long in this warm climate. I shall return next year about the time that you receive this and probably endeavor to form some connection to carry on some buisness in this countr>\ One years more experience here will enable me to speak with more confidence of the foregoing mat- ters. The mean time will be employed in a trapping expedition with 1 1 men south of the Columbia River. I intend to reach the vicinity of St. Francisco. I shall beg the honor of communica- ting with you on my return, I subjoin a V.^*^ "f <-he posts occu- pied or about to be so by the H. B. Co or. this coobt vi?.. an oc- ir8] WYKTH'vS ORKOON KXPKDITIONS. 6l ik ill July 4th 1S32L3J Having received from take the liberty of ad- about a year from the casional post on the Umquoi River which is in latt. about 44 deg. Fort George or Astoria renewed in 1830 and to be kept up. One at Fraizers River which enitys lato Pugetts Sound about 30 miles up. It is in contemplation 10 move this post to the coast and a lit- tle south of the mouth of the River. One to be established this year south of Nass. One already established at Xass. Also 4 Bgs. and Schs. employed on the coast continuously. One to be established north of Nass this year. The loss of Capt. lyamberts Bg. I suppose you have already heard. The Active I have heard has gone to the Islands. I have found no means of sending any of the business letters with which you entrusted me. The family letters 1 gave to Capt McNeil now in the Cos. service to deliver if he fell in with your vessells. I am yr. obt. servt. Nathl J Wyeth. LXXVl. Heads of Lewis River W'm H. Boardman Esq. (Boston Masstts) Sir Capt. McNeil the accompanying letters I dressing you. I shall return to the States time you receive this and shall then beg the favour to wait on you with a letter of introduction from Capt. McNeil. It is not in my power to communicate any information which can be interest- ing to you other than what I presume is contained in the lettei of Capt. McNeil, except a list of the posts established or about to be so and the vessells in the employ of the H. B. Co. on the N. W. coast. I beg you to believe that I have no interested views in communication I make. When I return I shall be able from a two years experience in the country to form a judgement whether any thing can be done in it and shall then endeavour to form .some connection to enable me to do it. Your acquaintance Mr. F. Tudor will give you any information respecting myself which you may desire. I was some years in his service and he knows me well. I am yr. obt. vServt. Nathl J Wyeth. Vz An occasional post at the Umquou River in I,att about 44 deg. " Fort George or Astoria renewed some time since " One 30 miles up Fraizers River which emptys into Pugetts Sound. This post will probably be removed to the Coast a little south of the river. One south of Nass to be established this year One at Nass, now established. One north of Nass to be established this year Kept continually on the coast, Your Bg Lima Capt McNeil Diyad [Dryad] Bg. Capt. Kipling Cadboro Bg. Capt, Sinclair Vancouver sch. to be launched almut May Cap. Duncan I • 6» CORRKSPOI.DKN rC: LXXVIl. [119 [The words "Not Sent*' are written across the face of the fol- lowing letter.] Heads of Lewis River July 4th 1833 F. Tudor Ks