Page:Oregon Historical Quarterly volume 13.djvu/226

 218 DOCUMENT ' No. 3. MAZATLAN, July 27, 1836. SIR : I have the honor to hand you, enclosed, duplicates of my respects of the 7th of June, from Petic, and 7th of July, from Guaymas. I sailed from the latter port on the 7th inst, in the schooner Loretano, of twelve tons. This small vessel was the only one I could procure to prosecute the voyage to the Oregon. Off Cape St. Lucar, we encountered such tem- pestuous weather that I have been compelled to put in here in distress, water started, and leaking badly. When I tell you the Loretano was formerly the long-boat of the ship James Munroe, of New York, you will understand the size of my ship, in which I have attempted to get to the river. After navigating about four hundred miles in her in this gulf, I feel satisfied she will never beat to the windward a distance of two thousand eight hundred miles against the northwest winds, which blow with great violence at this season of the year on the coast; and I assure you, sir, it is no sinecure to be out now, on any part of the coast, in so small a craft. I have just heard that an English barque, the "Falcon," is lying at La-Paz, loading pearl shells for Canton. She will touch at the Sand- wich islands. I shall therefore, cross over to La-Paz, and take passage in her to Oahu. This will be my last hope of being able to reach the river this season. However, I feel confident of being on the banks of the Oregon by the first of November, and back in time to make my report to the Department of State before the adjournment of next Congress. I have been unfortunate heretofore in both my essays. I trust I shall be able now to get from the Sandwich islands to the river, with- out any further difficulty. I have the honor to remain, etc., WILLIAM A. SLACUM.