Page:Oregon Historical Quarterly vol. 24.djvu/163

 Second Voyage of the Columbia 143 time I open any books I receive similar treatment and yet these same people are so illiterate as scarce to know a book when they see it. Since we have been on the Coast, we have cruiz'd various parts of it, (but give me leave to say I knew as much of the Coast, when we first arriv'd as did the Com- mander of your Ship) but my treatment has not been alter'd. — I have reason to think notwithstanding I keep a good lookout, there is some unfair play and which if pos- sible I will endeavor to discover, least I should be mis- taken in this, I'll give you some reasons. Capt. Gray brought out several old fashion woolen coats & other ar- ticles, which I have heard him declare, if he could get an opportunity he would sell and convert the proceeds to his own use. this by no means shows an honest principal in the Commander, he has also said should the Ship go to Boston, he would not send any property of his own in her. he would send it to New York. — Mr. Haswell I have heard from the Commander of another Ship, has said to his officers, that he would make 10,000 Dollars, he would then go to England that the Owners might go to hell & his wages & p Centage with them, if these are the dashes that they are making no doubt we shall neat you small proffits.— You may possibly blame me for not preventing this, but if you will recollect the Captain of this Ship is a man of no principle, that he does not, nor has not since he left Boston, commanded his Ship, this I do not say of myself, his officers have told him so on his own quarter deck, though when I have at times spoken for the good of the concern, he has frequently told me I am master of the Ship and will do as I please, but really if he had have been, I should have been properly supported and treated both by him and his officers like a gentleman. When you reflect on what small powers I am invested, and those principally in the Captains' orders and consider their ungenteel treatment of me, owing to their being jealous that I am a spy upon their conduct, and this pro-