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LIEUTENANT HOWISON REPORT ON OREGON, 1846 59

to go to California. I shall be happy to render you all the assistance that lies in my power. Should you wish any assist- ance as it regards money, or anything that I can obtain for you in Oregon, please inform me, and I will at the earliest date endeavor to procure it for you. Please accept my kindest re- gards to yourself and officers.

Yours truly,

JOHN H. COUCH. Capt. NEIL HOWISON.

E.

BAKER'S BAY, COLUMBIA RIVER,

December 1, 1846.

DEAR GOVERNOR: One of the few articles preserved from the shipwreck of the late United States schooner Shark was her stand of colors. To display this national emblem, and cheer our citizens in this distant territory by its presence, was a principal object of the Shark's visit to the Columbia; and it appears to me, therefore, highly proper that it should hence- forth remain with you, as a memento of parental regard from the general government.

With the fullest confidence that it will be received and duly appreciated as such by our countrymen here, I do myself the hdnor of transmitting the flags (an ensign and union-jack) to your address; nor can I omit the occasion to express my gratification and pride that this relic of my late command should be emphatically the first United States flag to wave over the undisputed and purely American territory of Oregon.

With considerations of high respect, I remain your obedient servant,

NEIL M. HOWISON,

Lieutenant Commanding United States Navy.