Page:Oregon Historical Quarterly vol. 24.djvu/314

 with their wagons; heretofore all the wagons have been brought in boats down the Columbia river at great expense, say $30 a wagon, but now it is said a small company of emigrants are by taking a circuitous route like to reach the Williamette with their teams, wagons, &c, altogether; if this is accomplished, wagons may pass from the Mississippi River to the Pacific ocean. A small company from this place have just started to meet these enterprising and hardy emigrants and take on pack horses about twelve hundred pounds of flour; their meeting will doubtless be a joyful one; the great peril and trouble with the emigrants in coming to this place is from the Dalls to the Williamette valley. There is no calculating the benefit of a passage by land for teams and wagons.

Wednesday, 15.After so long a time, we are cheered with a letter from Rev. A. Adams, dated March 20, 1845, in which we learn of the continued life and health of our very dear friends in the state of New York. Surely this letter is like water to a very, very thirsty man. This was brought by an emigrant over the mountains. We expected more.

Friday, 17.Cloudy, dark and rainy as though Oregon winter was setting in. Busy writing to friends in the states.

Saturday, 18.Emigrants are coming in, in small companies and appear very respectable.

Sunday, 19.Beautiful weather again. Congregation small; say about 20.

Monday, 20.Today we hear there is an American vessel in the Columbia river; we are in hopes of letters and papers.

Wednesday, 22.Busy in writing.

Friday, 24.Cloudy and rainy.

Saturday, 25.Dull weather. Reading Mr. Wesley's journal; surely he was raised up for a special work and his abundant labors were a very special blessing to the religious world. This evening I receive a letter from Mr.