Page:Oregon Historical Quarterly volume 18.djvu/165



Hall Jackson Kelley 137

needful to satisfy myself on the desired points of inquiry ; and so long as I did reiriain, I was treated very much like a pris- oner of war, although not subject to actual confinen;ient. . . . I ought, in justice to myself, to state that it was not disap- pointment, in regard to the natural advantages of Oregon, which prevented my forming a i)ermanent connexion with that region; but I was impelled by a determination to do all in my power, by constant effort in the United States, to lead our Government to extend over Oregon that paternal care which alone is needed to render it the very nucleus of emigra- tion, and the most attractive portion of our national domain.

"While yet in Oregon, about the time of embarkation for home, I planned to return to that country, and form a settle- ment at New Dergeness [Dungeness] ... on the south side of De Fuca's Sea, and on the westerly side of Port Dis- covery."***

Arrangements were finally made, how is. nowhere stated, that Kelley should be given a passage on the Hudson's Bay brig Dryade, Captain Keplin, to the Sandwich Islands. This was not the only favor that was received. "The chief factor of the company presented me with a draft of seven pounds sterling, payable at the Sandwich Islands. A part, however was paid at Vancouver, in articles of comfort." Thus the embargo had been removed. "This was kind, and I felt grate- ful for it."*«

Fortunately it is possible to reproduce here a fragment from Kelly's journal, in which he recorded in characteristic fashion his experiences at the outset of the voyage :

"March 15, went on board the Dryade, about to sail for the Sandwich Islands, was promised a berth in the cabin, but received one in the steerage — thankful to receive one any- where.

"The cabin boy informed me that breakfast was ready in the

14 Memoir, 6o-z.

15 Ssttlsm^nt of Oregon, xj4<

i€Narraiivf of EvonU and DifUculHos, so; ftl>o Memoir, 60.