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T. C. ELLIOTT

with many other kinds unknown to me. The soil of the low grounds is alluvial and found very productive, that of the high grounds a rich black mould, chiefly composed of decayed vegetables. Some of the points formed by the windings of the river are extensive and beautiful with sufficient timber for use and ornament, and where the plough may be used immediately and the point on which the Company's Establishments of Fort Vancouver is situated is from its extent and from the fertility of its soil capable of producing large quantities of grain of every kind of pasturing numerous herds of cattle and nutritious roots are so abundant that almost any number of Hogs

may be reared. The climate delightfully

temperate from the month of April of October, and from November until March rainy with little or no Frost or Snow. From the Cascade Portage to the entrance of Lewis's River, the banks are sterile, the Soil very Sandy producing Stinted Grass and willows and little or no timber. The Country in the vicinity of Lewis's River I understand is level and generally fertile but I cannot speak with certainty on this point not having had an opportunity of visiting it personally except at its junction with the River Columbia. Q. 2. Are the natives on the Northern bank of the Columbia warlike or pacific, inclined or averse to intercourse with the whites ? Is the Country between the Rocky Mountains and the Columbia densely or thinly inhabited ? A. The different Tribes on the banks of the Columbia are generally bold and warlike as regards each other and extremely jealous of any encroachments on each others Territory or privileges, but peaceable and well disposed towards the whites with whom they are very anxious to maintain a friendly intercourse. Occasional differences I understand took place when we first entered the Country in which some lives were lost on both sides but at present the best understanding exists between us and them. The Country is densely inhabited, on account of the great abundance of its resources in the way of living. Q. 3. Is there good hunting ground immediately on the northern bank of the Columbia ? A. The hunting grounds immediately on the Northern banks of the Columbia are nearly exhausted in respect to furbearing animals, but the back country is still productive and Beaver are found in all the small Rivers and Lakes. Q. 4. What, on a rough calculation are the annual profits of Trade in the district of Columbia and do they arise from until the

month