Page:Oregon Historical Quarterly volume 14.djvu/20



12 LIEUTENANT HOWISON REPORT ON OREGON, 1846

schooner Cadboro, from Vancouver's island, anchored at As- toria. The first lieutenant, master, and assistant surgeon were ordered to examine her, and report in writing her capacity or fitness to transport us to California; and although she was but 57 feet in length, they were of opinion we could pack in her closely and make the voyage. I lost no time, therefore, in going up the river and chartering her from the company; and although the price demanded (500 sterling) was, in my judgment, an extravagant one, my anxiety to rejoin the squad- ron, having heard overland of hostilities with Mexico, was such as to overrule all other considerations, and I engaged the schooner.

On the 28th of October the winter set in, with a strong gale at southeast, and heavy rain. The Cadboro was pre- pared to receive us on board by the 1st of November; but unremitting gales from the southward, with rain, prevented us from embarking until the 16th. In the meantime the American barque Toulon arrived from the Sandwich islands, and brought us news of the Oregon treaty, Mexican war, and occupation of California. This intelligence rendered us doubly anxious to escape from our idle imprisonment in the river, and we seized upon the first day of sunshine to embark. This was on the 16th of November.

The ground upon which the houses described above had been built (the extremity of Point George) was within the pre- emption claim of Colonel John McClure, who lived at Astoria ; and, upob vacating them, they were put under his care, and subject to his use, as will be seen by letter annexed (marked E.) The right ownership of the soil being decided by the treaty, I no longer felt any reserve in hoisting our flag on shore ; and it had been some time waving over our quarters on the very spot which was first settled by the white man on the banks of the Columbia. When we broke up ahd embarked, I transmitted this emblem of nationality to Governor Aber- nethy. The letter accompanying it, and the governor's reply, are annexed, (marked F and G.)