USA > Oregon > Sources of the history of Oregon > Part 14
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Head of Lewis River July 4th 1833
Mess Joseph Baker & Son, Boston Masstts.
Gent. Your politeness to me in the little intercourse I had with you in regard to my expedition hither must be my apology for troubling you with this. I hope you will not deem me impertinent interested in the information I send you. I tell you plainly that all my prospects of doing any thing on the coast with no more means than I have still left of my own are at an end. I have traversed the country in many directions and found all those places which [are] accessi- ble to shipping occupied or about to be so by the H. B. Co. who are efficient opponents. The salmon alone without the fur I deem doubtfull. Not that enough could not be traded of the na- tives by a vessell in the Columbia but when you trade fish of the Indians it is fresh to be sure but not fresh enough to salt for a long voyage. Fish to keep well must be salted immediately from the sceine. If the plan is to catch them yourselves, I think it is at least as doubtfull possibil[i]ty. It appears to me that the impression of the vast quantity of salmon in the Columbia arrises from not considering the vast number of Indians employed in catching what is seen. If each Indian catches three a day it would feed his family and still permit him to bring one along side, and this would give more salmon than would be requisite for a cargo but salmon would in this case be from 6 to 30 hours out of the water which is far too long in this warm climate.
I shall return next year about the time that you receive this and probably endeavor to form some connection to carry on some buisness in this country. One years more experience here will enable me to speak with more confidence of the foregoing mat- ters. The mean time will be employed in a trapping expedition with II men south of the Columbia River. I intend to reach the vicinity of St. Francisco. I shall beg the honor of communica- ting with you on my return. I subjoin a list of the posts occu- pied or about to be so by the H. B. Co on this coast viz. an oc-
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casional post on the Umquoi River which is in latt. about 44 deg. Fort George or Astoria renewed in 1830 and to be kept up. One at Fraizers River which emtys into Pugetts Sound about 30 miles up. It is in contemplation to move this post to the coast and a lit- tle south of the mouth of the River. One to be established this year south of Nass. One already established at Nass. Also 4 Bgs. and Schs. employed on the coast continuously. One to be established north of Nass this year.
The loss of Capt. Lamberts Bg. I suppose you have already heard. The Active I have heard has gone to the Islands. I have found no means of sending any of the business letters with which you entrusted me. The family letters I gave to Capt McNeil now in the Cos. service to deliver if he fell in with your vessells. I am yr. obt. servt. Nathl J Wyeth.
LXXVI.
Heads of Lewis River July 4th 1832[3]
W'm H. Boardman Esq. (Boston Masstts) Sir Having received from Capt. Mc. Neil the accompanying letters I take the liberty of ad- dressing you. I shall return to the States about a year from the time you receive this and shall then beg the favour to wait on you with a letter of introduction from Capt. McNeil. It is not in my power to communicate any information which can be interest - ing to you other than what I presume is contained in the letter of Capt. McNeil, except a list of the posts established or about to be so and the vessells in the employ of the H. B. Co. on the N. W. coast. I beg you to believe that I have no interested views in communication I make. When I return I shall be able from a two years experience in the country to form a judgement whether any thing can be done in it and shall then endeavour to form some connection to enable me to do it. Your acquaintance Mr. F. Tudor will give you any information respecting myself which you may desire. I was some years in his service and he knows me well. I am yr. obt. Servt. Nathl J Wyeth.
Vz An occasional post at the Umquou River in Latt about 44 deg.
Fort George or Astoria renewed some time since
One 30 miles up Fraizers River which emptys into Pugetts Sound.
This post will probably be removed to the Coast a little south of the river.
One south of Nass to be established this year
One at Nass, now established.
One north of Nass to be established this year
Kept continually on the coast,
Your Bg Lima Capt McNeil
Diyad [Dryad] Bg. Capt. Kipling
Cadboro Bg. Capt. Sinclair
Vancouver sch. to be launched about May Cap. Duncan
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LXXVII. . [ 119
[The words "Not Sent" are written across the face of the fol- lowing letter.]
Heads of Lewis River July 4th 1833
F. Tudor Esq. (Boston)
Dear Sir Since my last from Vadcouver of Jany 16th I have by devious routes and with two men made my way to this place which is near the back bone of America and in Latt 46 deg. some minutes. Excepting 6 weeks which were spent at Vancouver I have been continually on the march since I left you. I can now speak more freely of my circumstances than in my last. I have obtained enough furs to pay my expenses since I left home but they are hidden in the country and I have not been able to make my way to them as yet. I remain here for this and other purposes one year more. I have recruited o more men which makes me 12 in all and 34 Horses and mules. With these I shall make a hunt and p[e]rhaps obtain what furs I collected last year. In the progress of this years hunt I mean to go southward to near the vicinity of the Spanish settlements in Calafornia. If I am unsuccessful this is my last effort and how- ever disagreeable it may be I shall then return home, and solicit again the place which your generosity once honored me with. Strict necessity will only bring me to this. I beg you will excuse, you know my troubles and altho my course has been different from what you advised I trust that you will have lenity enough to excuse what you doubtless deem a weakness and perhaps truly (a man is no judge of his own maladies.)
In a letter to Mr. Wm H. Boardman Esq. I hinted that in case a farther experience should justify hopes of success in this coun- try, I should return with a view to form some connection to en- able me to pursue it. I refered him to you for a farther knowl- edge of myself. Allow me to suggest the same to yourself. In some of your last communications to me you hinted your inten- tion of quitting the Ice buisness. I hope you have not done so. It is a good permanent income to stand upon in case of dis[as)- trous speculations to which all are liable. I anticipate that you have realized much money from your coffee operations. I can- not see how you can fail of making some. Be assured it my wishes would avail anything you would make plenty. I am now writing in the open air. I am shivering with cold, badly clothed in skins. Here there is no wood to warm one [and] all nature seems clothed in gloom. Be assured I look back upou what and where I should have been, if but for one thing in great bitterness of spirit. Distance as you conjectured has brought no balm to the wounded mind and physical suffering has not allevi-
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ated the mental, nevertheless my perseverence (or obstinacy as you please to term it) is not worn out, and if things go bad the determination to make them go better is not the less. My health is nearly the same as when with you. The bad food and starva- tion of this country does not agree well with me. I am starting in a dangerous route in case the worst should happen my best wishes are that your prosperity and happiness may be in propor- tion to your talent and perseverence in buisness and your kind- ness and favor to myself in better days more I cannot wish you. Be pleased to give my respects to Mr. Gordon.
I am yr. obliged and obt servt. Nathl J Wyeth
LXXVIII.
["Not Sent" written across the face. ]
Heads of Lewis River July 4th 1833 Mess. Tucker & Williams and Henry Hall Esq. (Boston Masstts)
Gent. Since mine of 16th Jany last I have made my way to this place but without being able to obtain my deposites of furs or goods. I have however been able to raise 9 more men making a party now of 12 with 34 horses and mules. With these I shall make a hunt, and probably reach to near the Spanish settlement of St. Francisco, and on my return obtain my last years deposites of furs &c. All this if I do not loose my scalp. If no such acci- dent happens you will see me about one year from the time that you receive this. In the mean time no orders will come to you from me. The requisite amt. of furs I have collected, but they are not at accessible places, neither do I deem the buisness of the coast of such certain issue as to induce me to risk bringing out a vessell. The whole coast as far as furs are concerned is taken up by the H. B.Co. As to Salmon those of the Columbia only are superior. A sufficient quan[ti]ty of these could be traded but when you trade a salmon it is from 6 to 30 hours old which is to[o] old in this warm climate to salt well. It is true it will keep, but sal- mon badly cured is a common article, and will bring but a small price. I am quite sure that traded salmon could not be cured so as to be first rate and others would hardly pay sending home. To catch them is a matter that requires much knowledge. The In- dian mode is too slow. Several good fisherys would be requisite for the sufficient and speedy supply of a vesseel. I should not venture on the latter mode without myself coming home and put- ting up the requisite materials and implements for the buisness beside I think as all my men have left me and in future I should have the responsibility of wages to men, it would be more pru- dent to form a connection if possible and avoid a liability to which my own means are not adequate.
I remain Gent. your obt. Servt Nathl J. Wyeth
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LXXIX.
["Not Sent" written across the face.]
Heads of Lewis River July 4th 1833
Brother Leonard (New York)
While I am shivering with the cold without wood and nothing but a few skins to cover my naked- ness you are probably enjoying the festivities of the day with your wife and litttle ones at your side. To think of those things gives me the blue Devils. Time has not rid me of these and physical suffering has not lessened the mental but rather points my mind to the cause. If I can still as of old sing"Heave care oer side &c''it is rather in obstinacy than in truth or perhaps is more like a good dinner & wine thrown back from a gorged stomach. I drew on you from Colville for about $roo. In the letter in which I advised you of it I could not well apologize for the liberty that I took as I knew it would be examined. If you knew my neces- sitys I believe you would not ask the reason of my drawing on you without funds. If you will reccollect I left the land which I bought of Harvd Colledge under mortgage. This will be due two years from last March. On this land I have paid $500. My pride is much concerned in keeping it and my necessitys from the world. Should I not return in time to make arrangements my- self, I beg you to enable Mr. Brown to defer payment by remortg- aging it. A farther payment of $500 would certainly enable him to do this and perhaps he can without any further payt. I shall write Charles to the same effect. That you will do it between you is my only dependence, and consider that there are enough things to mortify me without such an experience as the failure of this would subject me to, still do not for me go farther than your duty to your-self and family will admit of. I am alone in the world and if my misfortunes are heavy, there is but one to bear them, I wish not to drag others into them. As it regards my buisness in this country what I have done I have done mostly without help. The furs I have got would in all if in the states pay my expenses but they are deposited in the earth in remote places where I was obliged to leave them for want of animals and it is a chance if I am able ever to get them. I shall give no orders under the contract for which you are security and I hope you will consider this in the matter of the land mentioned above. I have with much exertion recruited my party to 12 men my- self included and 34 animals and shall make a years hunt and endeavour to obtain some of my furs of last year in the progress of this hunt. I shall go southward as far as the vicinity of St. Francisco in New Calafornia and if no accident happens to me and there is a possibility of so doing I shall be with you about a year from the time that you receive this. The enterprise I am upon is a dangerous one but I trust to my usual good luck to bear me
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through. Should I give a letter of introduction to you to any one connected with the Fur trade I wish you would not inform them whether I am worth any thing or not as it is not for my in- terest that they should suppose that they have an inefficient op- ponent. Let them infer what they please but at the same time extend to them as much hospitality as you possibly can. Reccol- lect that I have already drawn largely on theirs and am con- tinually exposed to do the same again and do not be startled at any difference of manners and appearance reccollect that they have been educated with the Bears of the wilderness. Remember me affectionately to your wife and the little ones and believe that I reccollect you as often as I have occasion for your kindness, as you may well infer from my drafts on your cash, and I hope that you will do me the credit of doing so at other times. My health [is] much the same as when I was at home. I send you a Boy. Please send him to my wife and pay what expenses are incurred on him to your place. I am your affte Bro.
Nath. J Wyeth
LXXX.
["Not Sent"' written across the face. ]
Heads of Lewis River July 4th 1833
Bro. Charles (Baltimore)
I hope that today you are better off than myself. I hope you are in peace of mind and content enjoying with your friends and family the festivities of the day and I hope you have a thought too of me. Imagine to yourself a fellow seat- ed on the open and extensive prairie beside a little brook without a fire in freezing weather and poorly clad in skins with plenty of poor raw dried buffaloe meat and you see Nat. A meeting with Mr. Bonneville gives me the power to make up jointly with him a party for a hunt for this season. I shall not come home this year. My party is 12 in number with myself and 34 animals. With these I shall go southward to the vicinity of St. Francisco in New Calafornia. Since I have been in the country I have col- lected Furs enough to pay my expenses but they are deposited in such places as render it at least doubtful if ever I see them again. They were left for want of horses to carry them. This and other matters relating to my being worth property or not please not to communicate to any one connected with the Fur trade even if he come with a letter from me. If they find out my true circum- stances let it be by their own wits. It is not my interest that they sup[plose me worth nothing, at the same time should I give a letter of introduction to any of them have the goodness to ex- tend as much hospitality to them as you can. Keep in mind that in this country I am continually liable to receive it from them and that I have already received much. Your bond for the fulfil-
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ment of a contract with Mess Tucker and Williams you may now consider a dead letter. I shall make no use of the contract with them at least until I see you. I have a request to ask of you and Leonard jointly. It is that you would enable Mr Brown to defer the payment to Harvd Colledge for the land I bought of them. It becomes due two years from last March. I have paid 5005 on this land a farther payt. of 500$ would undoubtedly enable him to remortgage it. My pride has but little to cling to now save it I beg of you in this respect. If I return as I expect in about one year from the time you receive this I can arrange the matter my- self. But there is so much [doubt] of my being able to do so that I deem it requisite to make the above request at this time. Please give my affectionate respects to your lady and little ones.
Yr afte Bro. N. J. W. LXXXI.
["Not Sent" written across the face.]
Heads of Lewis River July 4th 1833 Leond. Jarvis Esq. (Baltimore)
Dear Uncle, Since my last of 16th Jany from Fort Vancouver I have made my way so far across the land with two men but have not been able to go to the places where my furs of last year are deposited. Circumstances now en- able me to raise a small party of men with which to try again if any thing can be made in this country. My scituation is here far from being comfortable. Since my last I have seen some suffer- ing and this year. I shall probably see much more and with so small a party there is some danger. Since I have been in the country I have caught furs enough to pay all of my expenses if they were in the States but I do not much expect to be able to get them without as much trouble and expense as would be re- quired to catch as many more and for this purpose I am about starting for a hunt to the southward of the Columbia River. In the course of this hunt I shall probably go to near the Spanish settlement of St. Francisco in New Calafornia. About a year from the time you receive this you may expect to see me in your city. I think there is a good chance to make money in this coun- try. A good hunter can take an average of 120 skins in a year these are worth in Boston about $1000. Such hunters can be hired for about 400$ payable in goods at an average of 600 per ct profit. The animals to do the buisness of a camp cost here about 4$ in goods prime cost in Boston or N. York. A band of 20 hunters require about 10 men. for the various buisness of the camp. These with transportation horses $3300 for these men do not take all their pay in goods. The Hunters do not actually cost more than 2000$. This as you will perceive will leave a large profit. I am certain that had I the means now here I could
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do as well as this. All the means that I have with me and avail- able only enable me to fit out a party of 12 men and 34 horses and mules. This party is one half mine and one half Mr Bone- villes and myself am to lead it and take one half of the skins. The result of this party will show whether my calculation above giv - en is correct and if so will enable me to follow the buisness. If it proves otherwise I shall give it all up and come home and per- haps remain there. I have made a proposal to the Hon. H. B. Co. and requested them to direct their answer to your care. Will you have the goodness to open their letter and write them that for reasons above stated I am not with you to do so myself. Say to them that I am on a hunting excursion and will stop at some of their posts where by means of their general letter to the win- tering partners I shall find if it is accepted and in such case I will hand over the proceeds of my hunt to meet the requisitions of the contract, but in fault of finding such information shall proceed to the American rendezvous in the Mts. where by your means I will get their answer and act accordingly. Will you also have the goodness to send me a copy of their answer and contract if one is sent not the original as the appearance of it would procure its being stoped by some interested trader. This you can do by send- ing the letters to Mess. Von Pool and McGil or Mr. E. E. March of St. Louis with a request that they will place the letters in such hands as they will reach the rendezvous of the Americans in the mountains. If all this is to[o] much trouble as I much fear please make this request over to Charles. Please give my re- spects to iny good aunt. . I am yr aft Nephew N. J. Wyeth LXXXII.
Heads of Lewis River July 4th 1833 Mr. Thomas Nuttall (Cambridge)
Dear Sir I have sent through my brother Leond of N. York a package of plants collected in the interior and on the western coast of America somewhere about Latt. 46 deg. I am afraid they will be of little value to you. The rain has been so constant where I have been gathering them that they have lost their colors in some cases, and they will be liable to further accident on their route home.
I shall remain here one more year. You if in Camb. may ex- pect to see me in about one year from the time you receive this. I shall then ask you if you will follow another expedition to this country in pursuit of your science. The cost would be less than living at home.
I have several times attempted to preserve birds to send you but have failed from the moisture and warmth. Excuse the shortness of this as I have many letters to write and little time to do it in.
Resply Vr. obt. servt. Nathl. J Wyeth
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P. S. By the notes on the paper my journal will show the place from which the plant comes if kept in its proper sheet until I come home.
LXXXIII.
["This letter sent by Mr Ermatinger" written across the face.]
Plain of the Three Butes July 5th 1833
Dear Sir
Having arr[i]ved at the camp of Mr. Bonneville I take the lib- erty [of] writing you by this last opportunity to express how much I am under obligation to Mr. Ermatinger for the polite and agree- able manner in which he has dispensed your hospitality to me during the whole route.
I am here in a direct train for the States, and cannot without some extraordinary accident fail of reaching home in Oct. next. Should you visit the states I would feel myself highly honored by a visit or any intercourse which might be agreeable to you for which purpose I have enclosed my direction. Should any of your friends visit the States a letter would procure them any at- . tention which may be in my power. It will be a pleasure to exe- cute any buisness commands with which you may entrust me. Models of Agricultural implements, seeds and other matters counected with your tastes or buisness.
Resply. yr. obt. Servt. Nathl. J. Wyeth To Doct. McLaughland Fort Vancouver.
LXXXIV.
Heads of Green River July 18th 1833
Mess. Von Phul & McGill
Gent The enclosed draft by Mess. Bon- neville & Co. $366.66 I desire you will collect of the Bearer Mr. C. Cerri. If not paid by him at sight, please forward it for col- lection to Mr Leond. I.Wyeth of the firm of Cripps & Wyeth lace goods dealers New York and oblige
Vr. Obt. Servt. Nathl. J. Wyeth.
LXXXV.
Green River July 18th 1833
Mr John Ball
Dear Sir I write to inform you that my agents at Boston have sent to the care of Mess Bringsmade Ladd and Hooper of the Sandwich Islands two trunk and some letters for you from thence they will be forwarded to the Columbia River by the first opportunity. I return home by the Yellowstone and Missouri in boats. I am Vr Obt Servt Nath J Wyeth.
***** /
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LXXXVI.
Green River July 18th 1833
Mr F. Ermatinger
Dear Sir I arrived here on the 16th 9 days
from your camp Saw 110 Indians but saw the bones of Mr More killed by the Blkfeet last year and buried them. He was one of my men who left me in Pier[rles Hole last year. A Mr Nudd was also killed by them. All the rest arrived well in the States. I found here about 250 whites. A list of the Cos. and their Beaver which I have seen I subjoin. I should have been proud of my countrymen if you could have seen the American Fur Co. or the party of Mr. S. Campbell. For efficiency of goods, men, animals and arms, I do not believe the fur business has afforded a better example or discipline. I have sold my animals and shall make a boat and float down the Yellowstone and Missouri and see what the world is made of there. Mr. Wm Sublette and Mr Campbell have come up the Missouri and established a trading fort at each location of the posts of the Am. Fur Co. with a view to a strong oppo- sition. Good luck to their quarrels. I have got letters from the States. The chief news are that the cholera Morbus has swept through them killing 5000 people in N York and in proportion elsewhere. Genl. Jackson president an insurrection in the South- ern States on acc. of the Tariff but quelled by Bloc[k]ading their ports and the repeal of the most obnoxious parts of the same. About 25 Americans have been killed during the last year. A Snake village is here with us. I find Bonnevilles connections are responsible [A statement that he has a draft from B. for horses follows but is crossed out.] he being very short of them. He lost one entire party among the Crows that is the Horses and of course all the Beavers. A party under Bridger and Frapp also lost their horses by the Aricarees, also Harris party lost theirs by the same Inds. who have taken a perma- nent residence on the Platte and left the Missouri which is the reason I go by the last named river. Harris party did not interfere with any of my plans south of Snake River.
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