Appendix

Nathaniel J. Wyeth, and the Trade of the Far West

WE HAVE BROUGHT Captain Bonneville to the end of his western

campaigning; yet we cannot close this work without subjoining

some particulars concerning the fortunes of his contemporary, Mr.

Wyeth; anecdotes of whose enterprise have, occasionally, been

interwoven in the party-colored web of our narrative. Wyeth

effected his intention of establishing a trading post on the

Portneuf, which he named Fort Hall. Here, for the first time, the

American flag was unfurled to the breeze that sweeps the great

naked wastes of the central wilderness. Leaving twelve men here,

with a stock of goods, to trade with the neighboring tribes, he

prosecuted his journey to the Columbia; where he established

another post, called Fort Williams, on Wappatoo Island, at the

mouth of the Wallamut. This was to be the head factory of his

company; whence they were to carry on their fishing and trapping

operations, and their trade with the interior; and where they

were to receive and dispatch their annual ship.

The plan of Mr. Wyeth appears to have been well concerted. He had

observed that the Rocky Mountain Fur Company, the bands of free

trappers, as well as the Indians west of the mountains, depended

for their supplies upon goods brought from St. Louis; which, in

consequence of the expenses and risks of a long land carriage,

were furnished them at an immense advance on first cost. He had

an idea that they might be much more cheaply supplied from the

Pacific side. Horses would cost much less on the borders of the

Columbia than at St. Louis: the transportation by land was much

shorter; and through a country much more safe from the hostility

of savage tribes; which, on the route from and to St. Louis,

annually cost the lives of many men. On this idea, he grounded

his plan. He combined the salmon fishery with the fur trade. A

fortified trading post was to be established on the Columbia, to

carry on a trade with the natives for salmon and peltries, and to

fish and trap on their own account. Once a year, a ship was to

come from the United States, to bring out goods for the interior

trade, and to take home the salmon and furs which had been

collected. Part of the goods, thus brought out, were to be

dispatched to the mountains, to supply the trapping companies and

the Indian tribes, in exchange for their furs; which were to be

brought down to the Columbia, to be sent home in the next annual

ship: and thus an annual round was to be kept up. The profits on

the salmon, it was expected, would cover all the expenses of the

ship; so that the goods brought out, and the furs carried home,

would cost nothing as to freight.

His enterprise was prosecuted with a spirit, intelligence, and

perseverance, that merited success. All the details that we have

met with, prove him to be no ordinary man. He appears to have the

mind to conceive, and the energy to execute extensive and

striking plans. He had once more reared the American flag in the

lost domains of Astoria; and had he been enabled to maintain the

footing he had so gallantly effected, he might have regained for

his country the opulent trade of the Columbia, of which our

statesmen have negligently suffered us to be dispossessed.

It is needless to go into a detail of the variety of accidents

and cross-purposes, which caused the failure of his scheme. They

were such as all undertakings of the kind, involving combined

operations by sea and land, are liable to. What he most wanted,

was sufficient capital to enable him to endure incipient

obstacles and losses; and to hold on until success had time to

spring up from the midst of disastrous experiments.

It is with extreme regret we learn that he has recently been

compelled to dispose of his establishment at Wappatoo Island, to

the Hudson's Bay Company; who, it is but justice to say, have,

according to his own account, treated him throughout the whole of

his enterprise, with great fairness, friendship, and liberality.

That company, therefore, still maintains an unrivalled sway over

the whole country washed by the Columbia and its tributaries. It

has, in fact, as far as its chartered powers permit, followed out

the splendid scheme contemplated by Mr. Astor, when he founded

his establishment at the mouth of the Columbia. From their

emporium of Vancouver, companies are sent forth in every

direction, to supply the interior posts, to trade with the

natives, and to trap upon the various streams. These thread the

rivers, traverse the plains, penetrate to the heart of the

mountains, extend their enterprises northward, to the Russian

possessions, and southward, to the confines of California. Their

yearly supplies are received by sea, at Vancouver; and thence

their furs and peltries are shipped to London. They likewise

maintain a considerable commerce, in wheat and lumber, with the

Pacific islands, and to the north, with the Russian settlements.

Though the company, by treaty, have a right to a participation

only, in the trade of these regions, and are, in fact, but

tenants on sufferance; yet have they quietly availed themselves

of the original oversight, and subsequent supineness of the

American government, to establish a monopoly of the trade of the

river and its dependencies; and are adroitly proceeding to

fortify themselves in their usurpation, by securing all the

strong points of the country.

Fort George, originally Astoria, which was abandoned on the

removal of the main factory to Vancouver, was renewed in 1830;

and is now kept up as a fortified post and trading house. All the

places accessible to shipping have been taken possession of, and

posts recently established at them by the company.

The great capital of this association; their long established

system; their hereditary influence over the Indian tribes; their

internal organization, which makes every thing go on with the

regularity of a machine; and the low wages of their people, who

are mostly Canadians, give them great advantages over the

American traders: nor is it likely the latter will ever be able

to maintain any footing in the land, until the question of

territorial right is adjusted between the two countries. The

sooner that takes place, the better. It is a question too serious

to national pride, if not to national interests, to be slurred

over; and every year is adding to the difficulties which environ

it.

The fur trade, which is now the main object of enterprise west of

the Rocky Mountains, forms but a part of the real resources of

the country. Beside the salmon fishery of the Columbia, which is

capable of being rendered a considerable source of profit; the

great valleys of the lower country, below the elevated volcanic

plateau, are calculated to give sustenance to countless flocks

and herds, and to sustain a great population of graziers and

agriculturists.

Such, for instance, is the beautiful valley of the Wallamut;

from which the establishment at Vancouver draws most of its

supplies. Here, the company holds mills and farms; and has

provided for some of its superannuated officers and servants.

This valley, above the falls, is about fifty miles wide, and

extends a great distance to the south. The climate is mild, being

sheltered by lateral ranges of mountains; while the soil, for

richness, has been equalled to the best of the Missouri lands.

The valley of the river Des Chutes, is also admirably calculated

for a great grazing country. All the best horses used by the

company for the mountains are raised there. The valley is of such

happy temperature, that grass grows there throughout the year,

and cattle may be left out to pasture during the winter.

These valleys must form the grand points of commencement of the

future settlement of the country; but there must be many such, en

folded in the embraces of these lower ranges of mountains; which,

though at present they lie waste and uninhabited, and to the eye

of the trader and trapper, present but barren wastes, would, in

the hands of skilful agriculturists and husbandmen, soon assume a

different aspect, and teem with waving crops, or be covered with

flocks and herds.

The resources of the country, too, while in the hands of a

company restricted in its trade, can be but partially called

forth; but in the hands of Americans, enjoying a direct trade

with the East Indies, would be brought into quickening activity;

and might soon realize the dream of Mr. Astor, in giving rise to

a flourishing commercial empire.

Wreck of a Japanese Junk on the Northwest Coast

THE FOLLOWING EXTRACT of a letter which we received, lately, from

Mr. Wyeth, may be interesting, as throwing some light upon the

question as to the manner in which America has been peopled.

"Are you aware of the fact, that in the winter of 1833,

a Japanese junk was wrecked on the northwest coast, in

the neighborhood of Queen Charlotte's Island; and that

all but two of the crew, then much reduced by

starvation and disease, during a long drift across the

Pacific, were killed by the natives? The two fell into

the hands of the Hudson's Bay Company, and were sent to

England. I saw them, on my arrival at Vancouver, in

1834."

Instructions to Captain Bonneville from the Major-General

Commanding the Army of the United States.

Copy

Head Quarters of the Army.

Washington 29th July 1831.

Sir,

The leave of absence which you have asked for the purpose of

enabling you to carry into execution your designs of exploring

the country to the Rocky Mountains, and beyond with a view of

assertaining the nature and character of the various tribes of

Indians inhabiting those regions; the trade which might be

profitably carried on with them, the quality of the soil, the

productions, the minerals, the natural history, the climate, the

Geography, and Topography, as well as Geology of the various

parts of the Country within the limits of the Territories

belonging to the United States, between our frontier, and the

Pacific; has been duly considered, and submitted to the War

Department, for approval, and has been sanctioned.

You are therefore authorised to be absent from the Army untill

October 1833.

It is understood that the Government is to be at no expence, in

reference to your proposed expedition, it having originated with

yourself, and all that you required was the permission from the

proper authority to undertake the enterprise. You will naturally

in providing your self for the expedition, provide suitable

instruments, and especially the best Maps of the interior to be

found. It is desirable besides what is enumerated as the object

of enterprise that you note particularly the number of Warriors

that may belong to each tribe, or nation that you may meet with:

their alliances with other tribes and their relative position as

to a state of peace or war, and whether their friendly or warlike

dispositions towards each other are recent or of long standing.

You will gratify us by describing the manner of their making War,

of the mode of subsisting themselves during a state of war, and a

state of peace, their Arms, and the effect of them, whether they

act on foot or on horse back, detailing the discipline, and

manuvers of the war parties, the power of their horses, size and

general discription; in short any information which you may

conceive would be useful to the Government. You will avail

yourself of every opportunity of informing us of your position

and progress, and at the expiration of your leave of absence will

join your proper station.

I have the honor to be Sir,

Your Ot St

(Signed) Alexr Macomb Maj Genl Comg

To Cap: B. L E Bonneville

7th Regt Infantry

New York