USA > Oregon > Sources of the history of Oregon > Part 11
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What you say of Mr. Kelley I think will prove true. As yet he has no means of moving a step in the buisness and in my opin- ion never will move. For further particulars I beg leave to refer you to Mr. Leonard I. Wyeth of the firm of Cripps and Wyeth Pearl St. of your city. What you may decide upon in the matter please make known to me as soon as possible, for the time is short.
You will be required to pay into the treasury 20$ for your arms and equipments when you meet us on our way out at Baltimore. The arms &c will be brought with us. The remaining 20$ may be paid in when voted by the company prior to reaching St. Louis.
As soon after you make known to me your acceptance of propositions, not differing materially from the above, as practi- cable notice will be sent you of the time of our moving, place of meeting and other particulars.
Yrs. &c N. J. W. XXXI.
Cambridge Feb 6th 1832 S. K. Livermore Esq. (Milford N. H.)
Dear Sir I have a letter from your son Thomas intimating that you wish to know what authority I have obtained from Government to trade in the coun- try about the Columbia. In answer to which it is to be observed that the Government has not extended its Laws over that country and claims over it only a right of preemption. There can be no infraction of law where none exists, and beside which the right to trade there is inferred from the public acts of the Government, first in protecting by its public armed ships vessells
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engaged in that trade. 2dly in the demanding the restora- tion of a trading post taken by the British during the last war. 3dly by a stipulation of the convention between the U. S. and Great Britain that citizens of each shall have a right to trade in any country there claimed by either. That the Govt. would have a right to impose a licence to trade with the indians there in the same manner as they have done in the Territories has never been assumed and I think will not be until territorial governments are erected by them there. I have written to the secretaries of War and State on this subject but have yet received no answer.
Thomas mentions preferences and dificulties concerning the two kinds of bugles. These are matters I know absolutely no- thing of. You will oblige me by directing him which kind to get. Only keep in mind that the capability for using as march- ing music is subordinate to that of being used for signals, and that economy, durability and use are before shew and noise. Nevertheless good marching music has its use in keeping up the spirits of the company and exciting the attention of the natives objects by no means to be overlooked, but to be obtained if possi- ble without sacrificing the other.
Please present my compliments to your family.
I remain Yr. Aff. Neph N. J. W.
XXXII.
Camb. Feb 6th
Mr. Leon. Jarvis (Baltimore)
Dear Sir Circumstances impel me to apply to you for assistance in my projected expedition. Hav- ing no claim for your favorable consideration on this subject and knowing you to be averse to the plan I have avoided making this request until the last moment, and to very near the time when I must either close with very disadvantageous terms or commence a hazardous enterprise without adequate means. In the beginning of this thing I was induced to believe that certain persons here would furnish me the small amount of capital of which I was in want on decent terms but in this I find myself mistaken for after finding me fully committed to the buisness they have enhanced their demands, and think to use me for their advan- tage. This they shall never do.
I am at present trying to make arrangements to fur- nish the whole outfits both by sea and land and have raised what I think will procure me the land outfits and a vessell and perhaps Stooo toward a cargo for her. The amount of goods requisite for this cargo is from 5 to 10000$ which if I had 53000 in cash or good security I believe I could get on good terms here. If you are disposed to assist me in any shape in this buisness I would beg leave to suggest the following as to me the most desirable and as giving to you some chance of
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profit as well as loss while at the same time you are conferring a great favour on me. It is this, that you furnish all the goods wanted by us during the 5 years of our present contract at a cer- tain per cent over and above their actual cost including interest and Insurance and to make sale of the product of our trade on a certain per cent commission to have on the first investment sent out 1000$ in cash from me as security for the goods and an equal lien with the owners of the vessell on the goods sent home the said owners to be secured in the sum of 5000$ which must first be consumed before they have any claim on the return cargo and by contract to be debarred any claim on the outward cargo in any case. This, as a considerable amount of goods are carried out with me would put out of the question any very great loss. At the end of the first voyage if the buisness is found not to be practicable, it must be abandoned. If otherwise it will be continued and the proceeds of the buisness will be accumulated here to answer as security for the debts of the Co.
This proposition I should not have made to you if Mr. Tudor had not offered me such assistance as would nearly enable me to keep clear of very hard terms, and having so nearly accomplished the object was a strong inducement to ask a thing from you to which I have not the slightest claim, and if the thing is disagree- able to you, I ask you to excuse the liberty I have taken.
A strong inducement to this enterprise has been the peculiar state of the trade of the country in question. The American Govt. with ideas of reciprocity in their head made a convention, which after having been once extended will terminate in IS38 with G. B. by which the citizens of either power have a common right of trade in the whole territory claimed by both on that coast. I think this convention will not be renewed because it virtually destroys our trade there by opening it to the competition of the British Co. whose capital and facilities are so great that vessells cannot trade to a profit on that coast they being subject to a long delay on the coast whereas the British trade is effected by posts and their vessells have nothing to do but to discharge and re-load. If at the expiration of this convention it should not be renewed and I do not think that it can be some part of that coast will be an unencumbered field to whoever may then be there, because in the mean time the present American trade in vessells will disap- pear before the more economical methods of the British and mine so far as that has any effect. And I do not think that any other person will think of establishing posts in that country if I succeed in so doing. Of the goodness of this trade if I can get it free from other competition than that of vessells there can be no doubt and I think I may do well in it even under present circumstan- ces. Another inducement with [me] has been the being obliged to leave one half of my buisness and the insufficiency of the other to secure me employment more than half of the year, or give me
L
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the amt. of income which at this time of life I ought to be get- ting. Altho I am well aware that you do not approve of the di- rection my mind has taken yet your conversation with me at New York convinces me that you think I should make a move of some kind. Now in the kind of move which I have taken I have been guided I think by a sound judgement in regard to my capa- bilities whether experience will justify this judgement remains to be proved but in the mean time I cannot divest myself of the opinion that I shall compete better with my fellow men in new and untried paths than in those to pursue which requires only patience and attention. You have accused me of want of pa- tience and the world will readily believe you but I think both you and them blend the want of patience and the want or per- severance in one idea whereas I believe them to be quite separate and not at all incompatible. In raising means I beg you to be- lieve that I have not availed myself of my position in the family to borrow money or credit of those who it is a duty in me to keep from risque of damage or of any person who is not in a scituation to judge for himself of the danger and to sustain the damage that may accrue and that no extremity will tempt me to do so. I mention this to put your mind at ease on a subject upon which you might naturally feel solicitude. I will conclude this letter by asking of you as a favour that you will answer it as soon as pos- sible as my time is very short.
I am &c N. J. W. XXXIII.
Cambridge Feb 8th 1832
Mess A. Norris & Co Gent Will you have the goodness to ascer- tain if Traps suitable for the N. West trade can be purchased in your city and if so at what price. They should weigh 5 1bs euch have double springs Jaws without teeth with a chain 6 feet long having two swivells in it. Of these I want about 20 doz. If you will attend immediately to this buisness you will oblige me as they are wanted to start almost immediately on their destination.
P. S. Please direct me at this place) Yr Obt Sevt N. J. W.
XXXIV.
Cambridge Feb 7th 1832
Judah Touro (N Orleans)
Dear Sir Some time since I directed Mr. Charles Wyeth of Baltimore to place in your hands a note a- gainst Morton Brown & Co. for 888.25. Will you please get it dis- counted without recourse to the original endorser and after taking out your commissions transmit the proceeds to Baltimore to my direction to the care of Mess Wyeth and Norris in a U. S.
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Bank check on St. Louis or Baltimore. You are authorized to pay as high as ten per cent for discounting this note, but please present it to the giver in the first place. The reason of getting this note cashed at so high a rate is not want of faith in it, but an immediate want of money on my part.
N. J. W.
XXXV.
Cambridge Fcb 7th 1832
Robt. H. Gardner Esq Dear Sir Your very polite and useful fa- vour of 4th inst. came duly to hand. As I have carefully examined the mode of taking all the fish caught in your rivers with the exception of salmon the modes described by you were readily understood and are every thing I wished on the subject. It is impossible for me to visit your vicinity at this time. Mr. Tudor's ice must be shipped and that done I must leave imme- diately.
In asking you to ascertain from Mr. Palmer the modes of curing salmon, I fear to trespass on good nature and nothing but my inability to get the information elsewhere induces me to trou- ble one whose time I know to be so much occupied. If you will admit this as an excuse I will ask the favour.
The kind wish expressed at the end of your letter I value much, in as much as it is highly creditable to have the wishes of the good in ones favour. The older writers affirm that such prayers avail much and this supposition is so consonant to human feelings that I am not disposed to doubt it. Will you accept my thanks for your good wishes and assistance in this matter. Should you have buisness in any part of the world where I am I should esteem it a favor to be able to make a return for these favours.
I am &c NJ W
XXXVI.
Cambridge Feb 8th 1832
Brother Charles
Your letter in answer to mine of the 23 and 29th ult. is at hand. Your proposition of purchasing at N. York has been adopted and all goods except a few staple articles will be purchased in accordance to it. Letters to Mr. Johnson will be highly acceptable and usefull.
The request which I made you was to give your name for secu- rity for any contract which I may make for a vessell in the sum of 1000$ and is independent of the 888.25. The Soos you name will do, and the earliest liability on this will be at the expiration of a voyage commenced at ist July next to last at least 14 months that is 17 months hence. The offer of 25 per ct. of profits for furnishing me goods and vessell was never a good offer,
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but such as it was they backed out of it, by adding commissions for buying and selling fixing prices of articles, and charter of ves- sell, to such an amount as would have been ruinous and was no part of the original understanding. I have therefore rejected any further overtures with them, and consider that they have broken faith with me and attempted to use me like a fool. I am offered room for shipping home goods on board of 3 vessells now on that coast on good terms and I think of closing the agreement, and taking with me such goods as I know will do and sending home my collections by one of them with directions to forward me such goods and vessells as are wanted which I will then be able to de- termine and the 1000$ for which I asked you to bind yourself will probably be used to enable me to obtain the credit of a ves- sell the arrangements for which I must make before I leave here, so as to be sure that there shall be no fail when it is wanted. I have written to you Mr. Jarvis and Leonard in the same manner as though I were to fit out this thing immediately on my own acc. and Risk because it is possible that I may be obliged to do so, but I would by no means do it if the arrangement above stated can be made, for if the buisness is fit to be pursued I shall when such vessell arrives here have an amt. of property in Boston which with $5000 in security in good names (which the 1000$ I ask of you will complete) will enable me to purchase the goods and the vessell on ordinary commissions. It is very important that I do not bind myself to throw the commissions of this buis- ness into the hands of strangers for the whole 5 years of our contract altho. I may be obliged to do so at first as an inducement for giving for me the accommodations which I want. If this buisness should prove successfull the commissions alone would amt. to 4000$ per annum and the control of them I mean to keep if I can to repay those who may now help me of my own family and who may again be in want of something of the sort to keep them up in the world as has happened in days past. If you speak with Mr. Jarvis on the subject you can name to him my reasons for not accepting the offer of 25 per cent.
I have hinted the nature of my objections to it in a letter to him. I shall be careful not to name what you propose to do to any one, there is no advantage in talking of these matters. I shall probably be in Baltimure by the 15th March and may then see you. Please write me whether Mr. Jarvis is angry that I have undertaken this thing. I wish to know on what terms I am to stand with him and how to meet him. He told L. that he though[t] that you had advised me to it. I will undeceive him in this matter.
Will you please to look in the city for Beaver traps. They should weigh 5 lbs. have double springs, Jaws without teeth and chain 6 feet long with 2 swivells in it. Of them I want 40 doz and write me the price for which they can be had cash. If such are
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not to be found write me the nearest thing you can get and the price.
If you agree to be responsible for me in any similar sum to the one asked, please write me a letter containing ,(nothing else) sta- ting that when called on to do so you will be bound for me in 800$ or 1000$ as the sum may be, for any debt or engagement my merchant here may make for me, payable as an indemnity for my default, on three months notice, at any time after Sept 15th 1833. This letter with others I shall place in the hands of my merchant here, and when I order him to send me out a vessell or goods he will call on you to give said bond as security for the fulfilment of my engagement. If you are willing to do this, please forward the letter as above as soon as possible.
And oblige
Yr aff. N. J. Wyeth
P. S. When I arrive at Baltimore I shall want about 6 horses to carry my goods and wagons to Pitsburg or Wheeling please write me in what manner they can be hired and for what sum probably. The horses only are wanted harness I have complete. They will be wanted from the 15th to 20th March. At New York I will send you specimens of some small articles which I want if I do not get them before you go there.
XXXVII.
Cambridge Feb 10th 1832
Mr. John Ball (New York) Dear Sir
Your favor of 8th inst is at hand. The letter to Mr Bache dated 18 ulto. contains all the information which I can at present communicate in regard to the plan of the expedition. What Mr. Kelley tells you is not the truth. It is true that I once proposed to join this expedition of his, but I re- linquished that idea when they joined their two expeditions into one, for I consider it impracticable to and inhuman to attempt a passage across the continent with a party composed of men wom- en and children. The undertaking is enough for men. Your observation in regard to the salmon fishing is good, and a strong effort will be made to arrive in season to avail ourselves of it to procure food for the winter. I see no probability that Mr. Kelleys party will move at present. They have made no preparation as yet, nor do I believe that they can ever make pro- vision for moving such a mass as they propose.
My party will leave Boston early in March and may be ex- pected to arrive in Baltimore by the 15th of the month. We have now nearly enough men but any number of suitable persons will be received on the conditions named in my letter to Mr. Bache. Please use this letter as one of introduction to Mr. Charles Wyeth of the firm of Wyeth and Norris Merchants Balt-
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imore who is my Brother and has some general knowledge of my plans. This gentleman will leave Balto. for New York about the 25th inst. after which time he may be found at Mess. Cripps and Wyeth in Pearl St. Mr. Leonard I. Wyeth of the last named firm will also give you any information on this subject which he may possess. He is also a brother of mine. If you conclude to join our expedition please give me early notice and bear in mind that there will be no avoidable delay in setting out.
I am Vr Obt Servt Nathaniel J. Wyeth.
XXXVIII.
Brother Leonard (New York) Cambridge Feb 10th 1832
Yr favor of 3d. has been received I have been fearfull for some time that some things would turn out as appears to be the case Nevertheless be of good cheer patience overcometh all things. I have found a master of a vessell just from the N. W. who will furnish me with the requisite information as to goods and I have written A Norris & Co of your city to pro- cure some of them. I have closed all except drawing bonds with a substantial commission merchant here an agreement which is entirely satisfactory. He agrees for ordinary commissions to bind himself to execute my order in regard to goods on the strength of furs collected and deposited on the N W Coast and will furnish at my order at any time within two years at a certain agreed rate of charter a vessell or vessells as many as are want- ed to fetch and carry on my furnishing names as security in in- demnity for loss by my fault to the amt. of 5000$ payable three months after loss ascertained. The first voyage cannot be terminated before July 1834 because it will not be com- menced until a year from the time I leave here and the voyage will take one year and delay four months and the 3 months above added will bring the earliest responsibility to the Ist Oct 1834 within a few months of the time which you proposed in your letter of Jany roth for the last payt. Will you agree to indemnify in my default to the amt. of 1500$ 3 months after damage is settled. If so please write me a letter containing nothing else in definite terms what you are willing to do. This letter I will place in the hands of my merchant here and when I order goods and vessells he will call on you for a bond of indemnity for the amt. A copy of my agreement with him I will furnish you before leaving. Mr. Tudor of his own accord offered to give his name for 2500. This with yours, and a similar one for 100os of another person enables me to make this arrangement. This arrangement is all that I want in as much as there will be next summer on that coast 3 vessells by which I can make shipments home in all prob- ability and at any rate can send information home of what I have collected and what I want which will do just as well. I have
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been requested to take letters to all these vessells with orders to let me have what freight I want on reasonable terms if they are not full of which there is no great danger as vessells never fill up entirely in this trade. Finding how inconvenient this thing might prove to you I have written to Mr. J. to ask him for cash or name to a small amt. if he agrees I shall relieve you of any trouble.
Yr Afte & N. J. W.
XXXIX.
Cambridge Feb 13th 1832
Sol. K Livermore Esq. (Milford N. H.)
Dear Sir Your favor of the 9th is but this moment received. We may leave Boston the Ist Teuy of next month and shall not be here the 7th day. If Thomas is to go he must be here very near the 20th inst as some little time is required to organize. The bugle buisness is well. I never went to Washington for anything rela- ting to this buisness not having been there this four years. I have notified the Government by letter of the expedition and asked information of them in regard to the laws relating to In- dian trade, and offered to communicate to them any information which I might obtain while there. My letters have been an- swered as I expected conveying information in regard to the laws of the trade and notifying that the Department of War would receive and avail itself of any information which I might com- municate. The information which you have received that a party left Boston for that country is not fact no party has left any part of the U. S. within several years for that country and there is now no American trading posts or Americans there ex- cept what may be in vessells on the coast. There are in the space from the Rocky Mountains to the sea and between the 42 and 49th deg. N. Latt. three British trading posts there may be more but this is all that I know of, but between the Columbia River in 46 deg. 15 min. and the Spanish line in 42 deg. and extending back 600 miles to the Rocky Mounts. there is no establishment of any kind. Smith, Pilcher, Ashly, Soublette, Jackson of the western states are all said to have made money in this buisness. J. Baker and Son, the two Boardmans, Josiah Marshall, Dixie[?] Wilde, the Perkins of Boston have made money in this buisness. which proves that the buisness must be carried on, which is as much as to prove that those who may become practicably ac- quainted with the buisness and are found capable and intelligent can always have good buisness as agents for others, for all of these men must have agents, none of them go out themselves. Thomas is young and 5 years hence would be early enongh for him to undertake buisnes seriously, and he would then be fit if he pays attention to it to conduct any fur buisness and in my
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estimation there is as fine an opening in this as any he could un- dertake especially as in this trade knowledge will stand in lieu of capital in a greater degree than in most kinds of buisness for who had not if he was about sending out an expedition rather give 14 profits to an experienced man with no capital than to a man with capital and without experience.
I beg you to bear in mind that I do not urge his going. If he does go let it be at his own instance and not mine. All I can say is that if he exerts himself he shall have a chance in proportion in any arrangement that shall be made after the five years are ex- pired and that during that time he shall have the same prop. of profits as the other men and be used as well in all respects and receive from me every kindness and attention in my power to bestow. I am Yr. obt. Servt.
Nath. J. Wyeth
XL.
Cambridge Feb 13th 1832
Hall J. Kelley Esq (Washington) Dear Sir Your favor of the 7th inst is at hand. However well affairs are going on at Washington matters little to me Anything they can do will come too late for my purposes. My arrangements are made to leave here Ist March and I shall not alter them, neither can I delay on my route.
I wish you well in your undertaking but regret that you could not have moved at the time and in the manner first proposed. When you adopted the plan of taking across the continent in the Ist expedition women and children I gave up all hope that you would go at all and all intention of going with you if you did. The delays inseparable from a convoy of this kind are so great that you could not keep the mass together and if you could the delay would ruin my projects. I am much obliged to you for the information concerning licenses and Remain
Vr. obt. servt. Nath. J. Wyeth
XLI.
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