Page:Oregon Historical Quarterly volume 17.djvu/239



DOCUMENTARY 231

at this place. The fort is three hundred by three hundred and fifty feet, to consist of eight buildings of 60 feet, two behind and three each side, and Mr. Ross is going on with the build- ings and this year and this year* will plant a large quantity of potatoes so that by having flour, pease, and a few barrels beef and pork, he will be able to afford refreshments next winter to any vessel that may call there.

26. The Vancouver arrived from St. Francisco this third May and as you see by the account current the outfit to Cali- fornia for 1842 paid the heavy California duties and got only the usual advance 33-1/3 and cleared as already mentioned, [amount left a blank] as per accompanying account.

27. On the same day with the Vancouver, the Columbia, Capt. Humphreys, entered the River but as you are aware, the bulk of her cargo was for the Russians and as the whole cargo was mixed up, we had to unload her entirely and to save time [as] we took the Russian goods out of the Co- lumbia, we put them immediately on board the Vancouver, Capt. Duncan, and sent her with their goods and supplies for the Coast to Sitka and Fort Simpson from whence after de- livering her cargo in good condition and received the furs of Fort Simpson and Stikine, she returned on the 22nd August under the command of Capt. Brotchie who, as it was his turn to go home, I had instructed to exchange with Capt. Duncan, the latter taking the command of the steamer and Capt. Brotchie of the Vancouver.

28. The Columbia left this the 6th July with a cargo of wheat for Sitka and returned here on [date left blank]. I find by Governor Eoline that the wheat arrived late; the fact is that I supposed they were more in want of goods than grain and therefore sent the goods first, and though every exertions were made, it was impossible to send these vessels off sooner as from the 23rd May to the 6th July we had to unload and load two vessels besides receiving and expediting the brigade for the interior.


 * A characteristic repetition.