Page:Oregon Historical Quarterly volume 18.djvu/309

 increased; and many other particular benefits, which I need not enumerate.

It is not necessary for me to enter, on this occasion, into a narrative of the obstacles which I encountered in the prosecution of my views, and of the many sacrifices which I incurred in order to accomplish objects which I considered as of the highest public utility. Suffice it to say here, that, induced by the considerations I have stated, in 1833 I started from New Orleans for Vera Cruz and Mexico, and after remaining some time in Mexico, I proceeded through Upper California to Oregon.

I shall confine myself, in this communication, to the results of my study and inspection within the Oregon territory, and the adjoining province of High California.

I extend my remarks to this part of California, because it has been, and may again be, made the subject of conference and negotiation between Mexico and the United States; and because its future addition to our western possessions is, most unquestionably, a matter to be desired.

Commencing my remarks, therefore, at Monterey, a sea- port town situated in latitude 36 deg. 37 min. north, where I spent the months of June and July, 1834, I intend to proceed with these, in the route of my travels, northward, to the Columbia river. During my route, I was accompanied by Captain Young, a veteran hunter, who had repeatedly traversed this country, and was familiar with most of its features.

Adopting such an arrangement of facts as will, I trust, prove convenient to the committee, I will now call their attention to a brief geographical account of the northern portion of High California.

This tract of country extends from the 37th to the 42nd parallel north latitude, and forms a portion of the Mexican territories, except some few patches on the coast ; it has never