USA > Oregon > Sources of the history of Oregon > Part 13
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N. J. W. LX. Baltimore March 24th 1832
Mr Jas Brown (Cambridge)
Dear Sir I arrived here on the 23d inst. after a severe passage. Please fix in your mind some means of mortgaging my house for about $800- and pledging the note of F. Tudor for its amt. in order that when drawn as I possibly may you may not be put to inconvenience. I shall be obliged to draw at short sight if at all, on acc. of the scarcity of money at the West. If you feel able to do it, forward to Leond. I. Wyeth another letter similar in tenor to the first, allowing him to draw at what sight you are able and for what further amt. you think your- self safe in doing. I hope and think that I shall [not] call for more than $200 but wish to be on the safe side. On board the Brig Ida you will find a bundle of nine Buffaloes which are I. Reads please pay freight and hand them to him and pay the damage and give him my thanks.
Give my love to your good wife and boys.
Vr friend N. J. W. LXI.
Brownsville April 6th 1832
Brother Charles (Baltimore) I write to apprise you that I shall have to draw on you in accordance with your letter of Cr. given me by Mr. Norris for 300$ from Wheeling and in case I should not be able to dispose of such draft I shall from that place request you to forward me a Branch Check for the same. I write this knowing the state of the money markett and in order that you may be prepared.
N. J. Wyeth. LXII.
Pitsburg April 8th 1832
Bro. Leonard (New York) Your fav. of 28th ulto. is at hand. I shall in case I fail to obtain money on a letter of Cr. from Charles
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WYETH'S OREGON EXPEDITIONS.
for 300$ draw on you for the 1100 provided I want so much and if I want more I shall presume to draw on you for the full amt. of 1300 and presume that Charles will meet the same,as I relieved him from doing so at Baltimore, and Mr. Brown can certainly avail himself of sufficient from my property in his hands to meet any thing that I will draw.
Jacob says his trunk is worth $100 you may therefore calcu- late it $25. It can be of no importance to me nor do I believe to himself. Leave this morning direct for St. Louis. I will re- quest Jacob to write to you.
There is a balance of a draft of Jacobs for 150$ with father's endorsement thereon in my favor on Charles, and this amt. I shall not use and from this you can reimburse yourself if you deem ad- visable and I will retain the draft for your advantage. As Charles has seen it he cannot refuse to pay it. The draft is for 600$ and is in my hands. $450 was consumed by a little cash and the letter of credit above referred to. I will send it to you on Charles if you direct me so to do, at St. Louis where I wish to receive an answer to this.
N. J. W.
LXIII.
Pitsburg April 8th 1832
4
Bro. Charles (Baltimore)
Being Sunday cannot sell a draft on you. Please pay the amt. of your letter of Cr. to Leond. I. Wyeth and oblige Vr Afte Bro N. J. Wyeth.
LXIV.
Pitsburg April 8th 1832
Mr H. J. Kelley (Washington) Dear Sir Your fav. of 29th ulto. is at hand. I will in conformity with my first assurance given in my letter of 23d ulto. take charge of ten of your emigrants. Any further arrangement must be with the persons who are disposed to go out. My reason for this is that I am bound by my engagements to my Company and must consult them in regard to any arrangements on the subject but you need not by this understand me positively to refuse it as I do not know how the Co. will be disposed to act.
I shall at all times be disposed to further an emigration to the Columbia as far as I deem, on actual knowledge of the country, that it will be for the advantage of the emigrants, but before I am better acquainted with the facts I will not lend my aid in in- ducing ignorant persons to render their scituation worse rather than better.
[No signature.]
..
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LXV. Cincinati April 10th 1832
Leond. Jarvis Esq. (Baltimore) Dear Sir Your fav. of the 5th inst. came safe to hand, enclosing the very acceptable letters to Mess Pilcher & Sanford, also authority to draw on you for $500 if my necessitys required and if such happens to be the case I shall advise you of it. You have my thanks for the kindness and you --
LXVI.
[Letter LXV breaks off abruptly. Letter LXVI. opens with- out date or superscription. As they appear on pages numbered as consecutive the inference would be that occasion suddenly arose to pack the letter book at Cincinnati and not again use it until Ft. Vancouver was reached. The words "Probably to F. Tudor Esq." are in Mr. Wyeth's hand.]
Probably to F. Tudor Esq.
On the 4th of Jany inst. the wind vered to the N. E.and immedi- ately the weather which to that time had been rainy and warm set in clear and cold, like that you have when the wind is N. W.but not so cold, the Ther. varying from 12 deg.to 20 deg. above zero. The Columbia as near as I can find freezes up about half the years. Last winter and this it has frozen. The ice when it freezes smooth is good. It is now about 6 inches. but the sur- face is a complete chaos, but as this trade will not soon thrive in this quarter it ceases to be a subject of interest.
In an agricultural view there are many advantages in this country the most prominent of which is that the operation of plowing need never be suspended more than one month, and one half of the years not at all, (thereby giving much more time for the farmer's work,) and the facility of feeding stock in winter for the snow seldom falls here and the horses and cattle feed out all the year. When the wind comes from the land it is cool and dry, when from the ocean it rains incessantly. There appears to me to be but a small proportion of the country fit for cultivation. Near the sea the country is mountainous and rough so much so that I believe 9-10 of the land could not be ploughed. Farther in the interior the nights are frosty all sum- mer the earth excessively barren producing but a scanty portion of very nutritive grass, and I presume there are few parts of the earth where less moisture is found than in the interior of this country. The best part of this country that I have seen is on the Wallemet but I am informed that there is a good section of country near Pugets Sound and on the Cowliskie River. On the Columbia itself there is little or no valuable land. Of the Sal- mon and Fur buisness I can inform you nothing as no buisness letters can go out of this country by this conveyance. When I
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WYETH'S OREGON EXPEDITIONS.
110]
arrived at the British posts my men what were then left being determined to wander no more I was left to myself in this di- lemma. I was invited by Dr J. McGlaucland (Gov. in behalf of the H. B. Co. in this country) to make this post my habitation until I returned. I have been treated in the most hospitable and kind manner by all the gentlemen of this country. There are far more of the comforts of life enjoyed here by the residents than is imagined in the states.
Respectfully yr. obt. Servt. Nathl. J. Wyeth LXVII.
Fort Vancouver Jany 16th 1833
Dear Parents (Camb)
After much delay and some difficulty in the shape of long marches on foot I am at last here and now am as much in haste to get back again. From hunger I have suffered not much. This climate proves to be warm and agreeable but in winter rather too much rain. You may expect me home in October next.
Jacob could go no farther than the mountains. His heart looked back to the things of home and he could not see the re- turn convoy depart alone. Livermore deserted me twelve days out from the settlements. Both are I hope safe with their friends but the latter behaved very dishonorably. I do not write much at the present as I hope to be so soon with you beside I cannot by this conveyance touch on matters of buisness all I can say is that the first of it looks bad enough. If I should be longer in re- turning than above stated do not be alarmed for in the way I shall travell there is no danger except of my health and that is now pretty good. My party have now all left me and I have hired two men who are to return with me. I have in time of need found (in this land of strangers) kind friends who have alle- viated all my sufferings with the exception of that one which arises from a consciousness that I shall never be able to repay to them those civilities that I have received but I am sure that the opportunity of assisting me has afforded them pleasure. You can have but little idea how much men improve in some points of character in scituations like these. If polite carriage and shrewd intellect are best acquired in more populous parts of the earth, generous feelings are fostered by the wilds, and amid sav- ages the civilized man seems to uphold his character better than among his fellows. Vr. afte son, Nathl. J. Wyeth
LXVIII.
Fort Vancouver Jany 16th 1833 Mess. Tucker & Williams (Boston) Gent I am not at liberty by this conveyance to send you any information touching matters of
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£
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buisness. I can say to you nothing farther than that no orders will come to you from me at present. My party have all left me and I am about returning across the mountains with two men that I have hired for the purpose. The small amt. of goods which I took with me are deposited in the interior as well as some furs. Of these I shall endeavor to avail myself on my re- turn route but their value is not sufficient to fit out a sufficient party expressly for them and unless I meet a party going very near my deposits I shall dispose of them or leave them as may happen. Perhaps so much as the above may be allowed to pass by this conveyance. We have not suffered much owing to the politeness and attention which I have received from the Traders of this country both English and American. They have always given me all the information and assistance in their power.
I am Vr. Obt. Servt. Nathl. J. Wyeth LXIX.
Fort Vancouver Jany 16th 1833
Brother Leond.
I write you this which will reach you near the same time as myself provided I meet with no accident, but write for fear that this should be the case. My route will be across the land to about Latt 43 deg. in the Rocky Mountains and so down the Platte to the Missouri. This letter will reach you by the fa- vor of the H. B. Co. to whose agents in this quarter I am much indebted for assistance and information but for obvious reasons I cannot touch upon matters of buisness in a letter conveyed by them further than to say that I shall draw on you or Charles for a very small amt. due them for supplies and please consider this as notice for the same. My journey hither has been attended with much less difficulty than I expected but it appears the hard- ships of the undertaking are much greater than those with me anticipated as they have as they fell in with chances deserted, so that I now have but two men whom I have hired to go back with me. I think I may reach home in Oct. or Nov. next but it need oc- casion no alarm if I am detained a year longer. My object in re- turning by a different route from that by which this will reach you is to avail myself of some deposits of valuables which I have in the mountains. If I am so unfortunate as to meet no Amer- ican party going to the states I will not be able to come for it is too dangerous to cross the mountains with but three men and those not the best for such a purpose. My health is pretty good and I enjoy myself as well as I can while dependent on the hos- pitality of others. I make this letter short expecting soon to be with you.
You will give my respects to your good wife and love to the little nieces. My respects also to Mr Osgood.
Vr. afte. Bro. Nathl. J. Wyeth.
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WYETH'S OREGON EXPEDITIONS.
112]
LXX.
Fort Vancouver Jany 16th 1833 Brother Charles (Baltimore)
This will be short and I hope sweet. It comes to you by the politeness of the Hudsons Bay Co. and as a matter of consequence cannot contain matters of buisness. From the agents of this Co. I have received all manner of atten- tion and assistance rendered in such a way as to make it palat- able. I expect to be with you about the time that you receive this but if I should be a year later do not be alarmed for it is en- tirely a chance if I meet with an American party in the upper country and if I do not, I must remain on this side of the Mts. I have now with me two hired men only, all my party having left me, and with only three men I will not undertake to cross the mountains beside when I am in a country where I can get horses to ride, Buffaloe to eat, and Deer skin to wear I am as well off as I can be anywhere and if I make no money, I shall loose none and so much of life will be gone, all the trouble of life will be all the same a hundred years hence. From the Hudsons Bay Co. I have drawn some supplies and for these I shall draw a small draft on you or Leond. and please receive this advise of the same. Our journey out was attended with few of the difficulties anticipated as also with less of the romance and adventure. I expect soon to be with you and therefore do not write so much in full as otherwise I would. Please present my best respects to your good lady and to the little nephews. My name sake is by this time a famous fellow and I hope he is as much like him he is named for, as little Charley, that is much more quiet and tractable than the latter. Vr. Afte. Bror Nathl. J. Wyeth.
LXXI.
Fort Vancouver Jany 16th 1833
Leond. Jarvis Esq. (Baltimore)
Dear Uncle I write you, because it would be unpardonably in me not to do so whenever I have an opportunity rather than because I have much to communicate. Matters of buisness cannot pass by this conveyance which is through the Hudsons Bay Co. I am about returning to the states by the same route by which I came which I do to obtain some de- posits of valuables which for want of horses I left in the interior. In this I shall probably fail but the chance is worth trying for. In case I am successfull I may arrive in your city about Oct. next but if any disappointment occurs in meeting some Amer- ican party I may be a year later. My party have all followed suite-
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ОСТЕТИ
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[113
[The removal of a leaf from the letter book at this point makes the copies of letters LXXI and LXXII fragmentary and prob- ably caused the entire loss of several other letters.]
LXXII.
-the Bg Sultana bound to the Columbia owned by Joseph Baker and Son to the master and supercargo of which I had let- ters of Cr. to enable me to take any supplies from her that were wanted at certain regulated prices settled in Boston 6th [a]s to abandoning the enterprise it was by their desire to a man. If the above does not justify me from all reproach except ignorance I must bear it but at the same time with a consciousness of not deserving it.
The enclosed proposition I have forwarded to the Gov. through Mr Herron by whom I was induced to make it. While with you I had no idea that any arrangement of the kind could be made otherwise should have handed it to you. I do not ask you to put in a good word for me because I know you will do it if con- sistent with your judgment and not otherwise. If you remain in the country I shall have the pleasure of seeing you again as I am determined, at the present moment, to revisit it and endeavor to improve by past experience. Of this letter you are at liberty to make what use you think proper. It is intended to meet any strict- ures that may be made on my conduct (for where there has been suffering there is usually crimination) and to explain anything that to anyone may appear misterious. I cannot close this with- out expressing to you how much I am indebted to Mr. Pam- brun Mr. Herron and Mr. Hermatinger for the attention they have shown me.
Should any American vessell come to the Columbia there will probably be on board and I think to be delivered to any British post some articles for me. The order which I gave if I recollect right comprised Books, seeds and clothing. Should such come to hand the seed you will consider for the benefit of the Country, and should be used to prevent loss. Books you will take for yourself and all other articles after one year from receipt if not otherwise ordered sell for the benefit of such persons as you deem most worthy of it. Will you allow me the priviledge of writing you from home. N J Wyeth
LXXIII.
Inclosing copy of proposal contained in next letter. Fort Colville March 12th 1833
Sir
I am induced by gentlemen in this country to suppose that you would enter into some arrangement for a supply of goods and therefore send the enclosed proposal. I left the Boston in March last with 32 men with the intention of forming on the Columbia
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WYETH'S OREGON EXPEDITIONS.
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or south of it [a post] for collecting furs and salmon to be sent to the States by vessells ordered therefrom such vessells to bring out the goods required for the trade. My plan was based on the fol- lowing grounds viz. that Salmon (worth in the States 16$ per Bbl. of 30 gallons) would pay all the expenses that goods intro- duced by this route would be entitled to the drawback and this would be a consideration as they are nearly all foreign to the Statesand being coarse pay a heavy duty, that the saving made in the purchase of horses here instead of at St. Louis is at least 25$ per head, that the danger of transporting this side of the mountains is infinitely less than on the other and the distance to the Fur country much less. In the first part of said undertaking I have completely failed. All my men have left me and what goods and valuables I had with me have been expended or deposited where they will probably be lost to me. I am now on my return to the States for the purpose of forming new arrangements to carry my original plan into execution. In case I make no arrangement with the Co. I shall if I arrive in Boston by the Ist Nov. next come to the Columbia the following summer, if I arrive later I shall be delayed until the next.
It appears to me that as an American I posses some advantage that an Englishman would not inasmuch as I can visit parts of the country from which he is excluded and still not so remote in point of distance difficulty or expense as from St. Louis.
I have already lost largely from a capital at first small and am there- fore desirous to proceed on a more secure plan even if it should offer less prospect of profit. I have to observe that in case of agree- ment being made I will give surety satisfactory to the Co. for ful- filling any part of the same or if required will deposit in their hands a sufficient sum for the same purpose. The only objection to the latter would be the difference in the rate of interest in the states and with you.
In case of an agreement for supply of goods the supply of men would still be a consideration. If men could come to this side of the Ry. Mts. as early as July a fall hunt might be made which is all that can be done from St. Louis. Canadians are to be had cheaper than Americans and are for some purposes better men. Their conveyance would not be so expensive as horses would be saved which cost 30S at St. Louis and the same set of animals are fit for a full hunt. I would not wish more than 15 Canadians. These might be procured by myself or agent or furnished me by the Co. as they might elect and the residue of the men re- quired might be procured in the Mts. without the expense of bringing them into the country or learning them the ways of it. If no political dificulty exists there must be some advantage in us- ing a few Canadians. Should you deem it for the interest of the Co. to close with me an agreement not essentially different from the enclosed proposal you would much oblige me by for-
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,
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[115
warding to my address care of Mess. Jarvis & Brown Merchants Baltimore Maryland a contract to the purpose which I will exe- cute and immediately proceed to fulfill. I request this mode of proceedure because I will have but one month after my arrival at Boston to prepare for a voyage to the Columbia, in case of fail- ure of this negotiation with the Co.
To Geo Simson Esq Gov. H. B. C. York Factory
Yrs &c NJ W
Copy of the proposal enclosed in the two foregoing letters.
Ist The Hon. H. B. C. to furnish at their store at Vancouver to N.J . W. such goods as he may select at the same rate that the clerks of the said Co pay for the goods supplied them viz 50 pr ct on their original cost
2d The said Co to lay no obstruction in the way of the said Wyeths trading at any post or place for provisions or animals to be used in his buisness or to his trading furs anywhere south of the Columbia and not within a 100 miles of their posts and gen- erally in matters indifferent to their interest to forward his views and operations and to give him such information as may be in their power and not inconsistent with their immediate interest
3d The said Co to Cr the acc. of said Wyeth at the rate of $5 for full Beavers and in proportion for kittens and yearlings and for all other furs and skins usually secured by the said Co. as mer- chandise at the same prop. to their markett value in London or wherever that Co. dispose of their furs as 5$ is to the markett value of the Beaver skin.
4th The said Wyeth to deliver all Furs and skins of every de- scription of which he may get possession to the Co.
5th Said Wyeth to continue the arrangement for five years and in case of his not doing so to be bound not to do a Fur buis- ness in any country to which the H. B. Co. have access.
6th In case said Wyeth faithfully performs this said agreement, then the H. B. Co. at the end of the time agreed on is to pay over to him any balance that may be due him in cash or goods as the said W. may elect and at all times he is entitled to claim from them in cash any balance which may be due him over and above $1000.
LXXIV.
To Captain Bonneville of Salmon River June 22d 1833. Sir
I send you the following proposition for a mutual hunt in the country south of the Columbia river which I visited last autumn and winter. As to the prospect of Beaver there I will only say that I have no doubt of taking 300 skins fall and spring. As much sign as would give me this I have seen. I have little doubt much more might be found, but in that country a hunt cannot be
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WYETH'S OREGON EXPEDITIONS.
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made with horses alone, boats must be used. I have obtained some maps of the country beside my own observations in it, and I have little doubt but I can make my way through it without guides, who cannot be procured. As this country is distant an immediate answer is required. As it regards the mules[?] Horses would do but are by no means so good for grass in some places is very bad. If the number required isa very great objection 9 would do but goods enough to buy 3 more must be given in their stead. The men that are wanted must be good, peaceable and industrious, but need not be trappers. I would prefer good men who have not been more than one year in the country. In case of agree- ment being made you are to engage to deliver what letters I wish to send home, a boy about 13 years old and about 25 lbs. sun- drys. The expenses of the boy in the States my brother in N. York will pay to whom he is to be delivered. The boy will have a mule to carry him. With so many animals as I have and so few men I cannot come to the forks and I think these Indi- ans will go no further than where in your route to Green River you strike the plain of the Three Butes. There I hope to see you and in case you acceed to the proposal, with all the things re- quired in it, this hunt to be for one year to meet you at your ren- dezvous of next year the furs to be equally divided between us and I to have the right to take mine at any time during the year yourself to have the right to send a man to see to your interests-
PROPOSITION.
To be furnished by Mr B. To be furnished by Mr. Wyeth.
9 men, armed, clothed for the year with saddles &c
12 mules
9 skins dressed for making boats
40 good traps
I doz files
4 doz knives
20 lbs tobacco
200 lbs grease, if possible
3 bales Indian meat
a few small tools
19 horses
3 mules
20 traps
3 men with myself
2 doz knives
I Lodge
Cooking apparatus
vermillion.
fish Hooks a few sundrys.
10 lbs powder and lead.
14 pr. Horse shoes.
4 pack saddles and Harness.
3 axes
12 pair Horse shoes (if you have them. )
4 pack saddles and Harness.
6 pair of lashes[?]
25$ for cost of sundrys
25 lbs. powder and lead with it.
-said man to do duty the same as the other men and to have no
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[117
other control than to secure your interest in the division of the skins. In case you are ready to make this arrangement you need make no doubt of my being ready to enter at once on it except that in the mean time I loose my animals.
You to have the liberty of sending a load of goods to pay off the men you furnish. All property at the risk of its owner, neither to be responsible for the debts of the othor.
Yrs &c. [No signature.]
LXXV.
[The words "Not Sent" are written across the face of the fol- lowing letter.]
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