Page:Oregon Historical Quarterly vol. 24.djvu/88

 72 Charles Henry Carey east, so we cannot make any easting at all and here we are more than thirty-five degrees west of the Columbia River. Fri. 10. We are crowded west by the trade wind alto- gether beyond our expectations. We are nearly 162 c West Longitude. We are more and more confirmed in the opinion there is nothing scarcely provided on board this vessel for the comfort and decent support of passen- gers. Everything indicates penuriousness except wine and brandy, as though these constitute the sum total of a respectable entertainment for passengers on board an English merchantman. Our vessel does not belong to the Hudson Bay Company, but is only chartered to take a cargo to Fort VanCouver in the Columbia River for said Company. Our Captain drinks hard and there is no telling how unpleasant, yea, painful it is to be at sea under the management and control of a man who is often disguised by alcohol. Sun. 12. We have meeting today in the cabin. We have prayers every evening. Mon. 13. Wind more favorable. Lon. 156.33, Lat 45. Mon. 20. We have done very well for a few days as far as progressing on our route, or course is concerned. Lon. 134.14 Lat 43.36 We find very agreeable persons in our fellow passengers, Mr and Mrs Roberts. They appear as very moral persons, respecting religion and sacred things, as though well educated and religiously disposed. We all groan under the poverty of our fare. Our unanimous opinion is our Captain is too niggardly close to be considered a possible captain for a vessel in ordinary business of commerce, especially one that has accommodations for passengers. Last, but not least, of our evils, our Captain disguised every day by strong drink so as to be foolish in his conversation, and the tongue, generally so active in a sea captain, appears in conversation thick and clumsy. We cannot avoid some anxiety as we approach the river under the command of