USA > Oregon > Sources of the history of Oregon > Part 15
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In my opinion you would have been Robbed of your goods and Beaver if you had come here altho it is the west side of the Mts. for Green River emtys into the head of the Gulph of Cala- fornia. I give you this as an honest opinion which you can communicate to the Co. There is here a great majority of Scoun- drels. I should much doubt the personal safety of any one from your side of the house.
My Respects to Mr. Payette and believe me yr. sincere friend Nathl J. Wyeth.
Drips and Fontenelle arrd July 8th 160 men a good supply of animals. Obtained 51 packs of 100 lbs ea. Beaver.
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Rocky Mtn. Fur Co. 55 packs 55 men well supplied one party not in Beaver sent home by Mr. Campbell.
Mess. Bonneville & Co. 221/2 packs. Few goods few horses and poor Capt. Cerry goes home B. remains.
Harris party now in hand 7 packs Beaver and are on foot.
LXXXVII. Liberty 29th Sept. 1833 Mr Wiggin Abbot (Expected from the upper Missouri soon)
I leave in charge of Mr Samuel some cloths for you. He will also supply you with money sufficient to come to the eastward and for other necessary expenses. I hope to see you soon and remain Yrs &c [No signature.]
P. S. When you arrive at Baltimore call on Wyeth and Nor- ris for me.
LXXXVIII. Liberty Sept 29th 1833
Dear Sir (E. M. Samuel)
(Present) As it is my present intention to return across the mountains to the Columbia the next Spring I deem it requisite to open some arrangement for the purchase of the neces- sary outfits so far as horses harness and men. I wish to know what is requisite in order that you commence the prosecution of the above. Do you require a remittance or will you draw drafts as fast as disbursements are required? The amt. of responsibility will be from 3 to 4000$. An answer to the above I shall receive in Baltimore to the care of Mess. Wyeth & Norris.
I further request that Wiggin Abbot may be supplyed with money to pay his expenses to Boston. He will come down the river with Mr Sublette and is directed to call on you. I also request that the suit in regard to the notes which Capt. Hill alledges I gave him may be defended. For all expenses which you may incur please draw on Chas Wyeth directed as above.
Yrs. &c N. J. W. LXXXIX.
Steam Boat Oct. 4th 1833 1
Dear Sir.
When at the Station above I paid the small draft which I had before given Doct. Fellows on you.
I leave with this at Mr Allens a small bundle of clothes for Abbot.
Yrs &c N. J. W.
To E. M. Samuel Esq Liberty Mo.
P. S. Mr Aull says he is willing to swear that Johnson when he brought him the note in question expressed himself uncertain
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WYETH'S OREGON EXPEDITIONS.
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when he got it also that he saw the freight paid. Could not the testimony be used?
XC.
Steam Boat Mo. River Nov. 4th[Oct. 4th] 1833 Fred. Tudor Esq. (Boston)
Dear Sir Since my last from Colm. River of Jany 16th, I have made my way to this place on boat below Fort Leavenworth and make haste to inform you of the same. I shall probably stop a few days in Balto. Philad. and N York and will not probably arrive at home sooner than the 10th Nov. Expect- ing so soon to see you there is little to write further than to say that I have arrived in good health and spirits, and that nothing would give me more pleasure than to receive a letter from you at Baltimore. Should you have any buisness to transact on my route to Boston I should be glad to serve you in any way you may direct.
[No signature.] XCI.
Steam Boat Mo. River Oct 4th 1833 Mess. Tucker & Williams and Henry Hall Esq. (Boston)
Gent. I write merely to apprise you of my arrival so far as this. I shall be in Boston about the roth next month when I shall be able to confer [on] matters of buisness [better] than by letter. I received your letter of 19th Dec. 1833[2] through Mr Sublette on the heads of the Colorado of the West, and can hard- ly express the pleasure that it gave me.
Yrs &c N. J. W. XCII. St. Louis Oct. 9th 1833 Mr. E. M. Samuel, (Liberty Missouri Enclosing his order on Ed. Tracy of St. Louis for 200$)
Dear Sir I arrived here to day. Above you have your order for 200$ not used. I shall put the buisness of the counterfeit note into the hands of one of the gentlemen named in your memo.
My respects to your good lady and Mr. More and my thanks to yourself for the many attentions you have shown me
I am yr obt. Servt. N. J. W. XCIII. St. Louis Oct. 9th 1833
Mr. M. G. Sublette (at St. Louis) Dear Sir
According to prom- ise I write but can say nothing farther than when with you. You may depend on the contract or the bond, and you will hear from me within 9 weeks stating possitively which. I leave this place
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for Louisville to morrow and shall write you directed to the Post of- fice here. If you write to me direct to Cambridge Masstts care of Mr. Jas. Brown.
Yr Obt Servt. N. J. W: XCIV. St Louis Oct 9th 1833
Mr M. G. Sublette (Left at Towns[?] Hotel St Louis)
You will find a letter in the Post Office for you.
Yrs &c N. J. W. XCV. -Cincinati Oct 17th 1833
(To Genl. Harrison)
(present) Sir The enclosed I received from your son on the Big Horn. I met him on Green River on the Color- ado of the West and was with him some 20 days. He is in good health and told me that he should remain in the Indian country through the winter. He has taken an outfit from Fitzpatric & Co of some few horses and men for the trapping buisness.
It would have afforded me much pleasure to have delivered the note in person but haste prevents.
&c N. J. W. XCVI. Baltimore Oct 21th 1833
Sir (London)
In answer to a letter which I wrote to you from Fort Colvill dated March 12th 1833 I received information that the said letter had been transmitted to you. I request that an answer may be sent to Mess Cripps & Wyeth Merchts N. York which will be in season as I arrived too late to proceed to the Columbia by vessell this year.
I have made a contract for the delivery of a quantity of goods to Mr. Sublette and Mr. Fitzpatric partners under the stile of the Rocky Mountains Fur Co. Shou[l]d your Co. make the agreement which I propose I would fulfil the contract with the R. M. F. Co. goods from the States and hand over the furs re- ceived at Walla walla or Vancouver and the furs so delivered to be in lieu of the security which is proposed in my letter to you as above.
(To Geo Simson Esq. or the Gov. or Agent of the Hon. Hud- sons Bay Co. London)
I am yr. obt. Servt. Nath J Wyeth XCVII. Baltimore Oct 26th 1833
1
Bro. Leond. (New York)
Will you have the goodness to call[on] Mr. Alfred Seaton and ask him if in case two small drafts made
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by Bonneville & Co. amt. about $416 and which on my arrival at St. Louis I left for presentment to Mr. Cerry who brings down the returns of said Co. are not paid by said Cerry if he will pay the same. These drafts we[re] drawn on Mr Seaton and others at 60 days sight provided Mr Cerry did not elect to pay them at St.Louis at sight.
I shall await here the arrival of Charles, if I do not get notice from him that he will remain long enough to see him in N. York. The enclosed letter I wish sent to England by the first convey- ance and if you think proper you can direct to the care of Mr Cripps or any one who will see it delivered as I am not quite cer- tain of the direction. Please seal it
Yrs &c N. J. W.
XCVIII. Baltimore Oct. 27th 1833
Mr. W'm. H. Boardman (Boston1) Sir Having to wait here a few days I enclose two letters which I received from Capt. McNeil on the Columbia. On my arrival I will do my self the pleasure to call on you with a letter of introduction from Capt. McNeil
I am &c N. J. W.
XCIX. Baltimore Oct 28th 1833
Old Jonas
On board the Bg. Calo[?] Capt. Percival you will find 2 Indians one Trunk one rifle pair Elk Horns pacage of papers small bundle of cloths which please deliver at my house. The freight and passage is paid. She will sail about the Ist Nov. Shall be with you soon and am
Yrs &c Nathl J Wyeth C. Cambridge Nov. Sth 1833
Mr Henry Hall and Mess Tucker and Williams
Gent. In order to understand the nature of that branch of the Fur trade in which I propose to operate I deem it requisite to enter into a short account of its size and progress. The statements which I shall make are such as I have heard and am confident are in the main true, but I do not pledge my self that every circumstance is so but only that I have heard them and believe them to be so and that the inferences are such as my best attention to the subject warrant.
About 12 years since Mr W'm H. Ashley engaged in the Indian trade essaying by various means to obtain furs. At the time he engaged in this undertaking he was bankrupt, but was a person of credit, which enabled him to get the requisite means. His first attempts were predicated upon the possibility of trading furs from
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the Indians in the interior for goods. . In this he was not success- ful, and in the event became much reduced in means, and credit, but in the course of this buisness perceived that there was plenty of Beaver in the country to which he had resorted for trade, but great difficulty to induce the Indians to catch it. After many tryals of trading voyages he converted his trading parties into trapping parties. In the first establishment of this buisness he met with all the usual difficulties incident to new plans but still made something. About this time a Mr. Gardner one of his agents met a Mr. Ogden clerk of the H. B. Co. in the Snake Country at the head of a trapping party. Gardner induced the men of Og- dens party to desert by promises of supplyes, and good prices for furs. The furs thus obtained amounted to about 130 packs or 13000 lbs. worth at that time about $75000. The following year Ashley sold out to Smith Sublette & Jackson for about $30000 and left the buisness, after paying up his old debts, worth about 50000$. Smith Sublette & Jackson continued the buisness until 1829 and sold out to Milton Sublette Frapp Jervais Bridger and Thomas Fitzpatric, and in the stile of the Rocky Mountain Fur Co. for 30000$, dividing among them about 60000$ for I think three years buisness. This last firm has continued the buisness since have paid the purchase money and have cleared their stock of goods and animals requisite for the buisness in the country but not be- ing buisness men and unknown where the goods are to be bought have been dependent upon others for their sup[p]lies for which they have paid enormously to Mr. Wm. L.Sublette brother to a member of their firm. They have been together three years and have made two returns amounting to 210 packs of furs, value nett about Soooo$ and received two outfits of goods, first cost about 6000$ for which they have paid about 30000$ and for returning their furs about 8000S leaving them after paying the first purchase about 12000$ some of which must be due to men who have not received their pay in goods leaving them with little property ex- cept their Horses Mules and Traps and a few goods, and un- available property.
Since the commencement of this species of buisness severall persons have attempted it, but all are now out of the way except Mess Dripps & Fontenelle fitted out by the Am. Fur Co. and Mess. Bonneville & Co. fitted out by men in New York. Neither of these last named Companies as far as I can ascertain have made money to any great extent, owing to enormous prices paid for goods. The country to which these parties resort is ex- tensive and there is plenty of room for them and many more, and if they made a little money, I do think if proper means are used that much could be made. After this short account of the present state of the buisness I proceed to sum up the expense of conduct- ing it, as it is now done, in order to shew where a saving may be
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made. I shall omit saying any thing about duties on coarse woolens and other goods, used in this trade, which have to be paid when goods are sent by way of St. Louis and which may be. saved when sent around the Horn.
The dry goods for an overland trip are best found in New York and the other articles in St. Louis, A small charge must be ad- ded for transport to St. Louis for those bought in N. York, say on 4000 lbs. including
Ins. & Sundrys. $ 160.00
Baling of the above and Sundrys bought at St. Louis .. 100.00
50 pack saddles and 50 Riding Do 250.00
Hobbles and Halters for 100 animals 150.00
Shoeing for 100 animals. 50.00
50.09
Saddle Blankets
100.00
50 men for 5 months at 15 per month.
3750.00
Provisions to Buffaloe
100.00
Am[m]unition
100 animals 3000.00
300.00
First cost of goods 3000.00
Six months interest on all charges except wages
222.00
11382.00
being the Cost of transporting goods (including the first cost) of the value of $3000 from St. Louis to the Trois Titons Long 110 deg. west Latt. about 43, Air line distance 900 miles.
In making an estimate of the cost of transporting the same amt. of goods from the head of navigation on the Columbia I shall make the difference in time and force required which from some knowledge I think just and also cost of Harness and Horses.
50 pack Saddles and 15 riding do to be bought of the Inds for about 25 cts. ea in goods 17.00
Halters and Hobbles for 65 animals. 17.00
Buffaloes for blkts 30.00
15 men for 4 months at 15 per month 900.00
Provisions 100.00
Pack covers
50.00
Amunition 25.00
Guns.
90.00
65 animals at $5 ea
325.00
First cost of goods.
3000.00
$4554.00
Guns
Pack covers 100.00
50.00
Corn and sundry for Horses
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Interest for 10 months on all charges except wages of men 182.00
$4736.00 being a difference of $6646.00 in fav of transporting goods from the first rapids on the Columbia to the Trois Titons Long 1IO deg. west, Latt. 43 deg N. (and 400 miles air line) over and above St. Louis.
I have assumed a calculation of $3000.00 because I have con- tracted to supply that amt. of goods as per the enclosed copy of contract and not because it is all that is required for the interior. The amt. now consumed in the section of country with which I am conversant is about 12000.00$ first cost in N York. Wheth - er in the end I could supply all goods wanted may be a question and of which you can judge as well as myself, but that men can be employed to trap beaver and paid as far as their wants require in goods the same as is now done I feel not the least doubt and to almost any extent, and that it can be done to a profit is proved by the fact that the buisness is one of great profit even as it is now conducted from St. Louis.
I shall now detail what I think may be done in order to get the goods wanted to the Columbia and the Furs home in such manner as that 110 part of the expense of the vessell may be charged to them. Salmon have been brought from the Columbia to Boston and I think sold for about $16 per bbl. but I believe in not the best order which I suppose arose from their having been caught too long before they were salted. This I was told by persons who saw them put up. And if salmon are traded from the Indians there will always be some difficulty in this respect, but if salmon will bring $12 per bbl. they will pay all the ex- penses of the vessell and leave a large allowance for the expenses of the post, at which they are caught. I make no doubt that enough could be taken when once the proper mode is adopted, but I have not been on the Columbia below the first rapids in the Salmon season, and should feel doubtfull as to the expediency of ordering out a vessell before I have made a thorough examination at the proper time of year. While there last winter I sounded the bottom to ascertain [the] depth on the fishing grounds and if the bottom was clear of snaggs and rocks and found it favorable. I have every confidence when the proper mode is known and adopted that this branch of the buisness will pay all the expenses of the vessell and leave the fur trade free from all charges in the shape of freight. The prominent advantages of supplying my own or the trapping parties of other concerns from the Pacific instead of St. Louis are saffe]ty of the country traversed, and con- sequent saving of men, shortness of distance, and low price and abundance of Horses on the Columbia. The latter circum- stance alone would enable any company doing their buisness by
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that route to make a proffit equal to all expenses of transporting. The Horses in the mountains are brought from St. Louis chiefly, and cost about $30, and when you consider that a trapping party uses 3 at least to a man this alone is a large and con- tinual saving in the buisness.
I will now proceed to state what I propose to do if I can find the means, and for the security of such persons as shall furnish me, I can give such names as I believe would be satisfactory. These names I will bring forward at the proper time. The enclosed contract was made with Mr. Fitzpatric and Mr. Sublette of the Rocky Mountain Fur Co. when I was in doubt whether I would be able to perform it but knew I would be able to pay the de- fault. The contract as you will perceive will amt. to little more than carrying me into the Indian country free of expense and procuring the buisness of a very efficient concern, in this light I hold it to be valuable.
I propose to fulfill this contract. This done if the Rocky Mountain Fur Co will sell me their remaining furs at such rate as I can make money or will pay me for transporting them to St. Louis I will fit out a party sufficient to send them down with all other furs then on hand. That they will do so I believe because if I supply them with goods no other party will be there to do it, and they will not have the means of doing it themselves in the country. If they should not do so, then I will proceed to a safe country on the Columbia River where some furs may be traded and there leave them with a few men leaving some men and a trusty person to keep them and trade as many more as he can. The residue of my party (their apparatus having been brought out at the same time with Sublettes goods) will be employed in the trapping buisness. During the last of the salmon season of 1834 I will be on the Columbia in order to see in what mode the Salmon may be taken in such quantity as will do for a vessell and also endeav- or to make returns by some vessell that may happen to be there. If no such opportunity should occur then the furs must either re- main in the country until a vessell can come out to receive them such vessell bringing apparatus salt bbls. &c for taking home a cargo of salmon and bringing also goods to supply the parties or when the first outfit is exhausted the whole return, and afterwards com- mence the undertaking by sea. In the mean time a proposal has been made to the H. B. Co. to supply goods in the country and receive the furs as per the enclosed copy of proposition .* Should I have no partners in this buisness I might in case of their [H. B.Co's] acceding to it deem it for my interest to close with them, if I had part- ners I should probably not. Should you agree to give me the requi- site supplys and I should afterwards close with them then you shall be entitled to your commissions the same as though the af-
*See copy of proposition in connection with No. LXXIII, p. 58.
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fairs passed through your hands. Should you join me as part- ners you will of course exercise your judgement in regard to it, but I have no expectations that the Co. will accede to it and made it with a view to get their ideas on the subject as much as with any expectation that they would close with me.
In case you agree to supply me for commissions and Interest the amt. wanted will not be far from 8 to 10,000$ and wanted some by the first of January and from that to ist March and in any case the cash would be required at the same period but the amt might be varied if you took partnership according to your views but I deem the smallest investment the best until more ex- perience is obtained.
I will in conclusion observe that I consider all the coast and country North of the Columbia completely occupied by the Eng- lish, and all east of the mountains by the Americans. From these countrys I expect nothing, but all that country lying south of the Lewis Fork of the Columbia and west of the mountains as far south as the settled parts of the Mexican territory is yet unex- plored or nearly so. Into this section of country I have been. and have myself taken more than a pack of beaver in less than a month, and the furs of this region are excellent from their color, and goodness, and without doubt are reasonably abundant. One reason why this country has been so much neglected is that in it there are no Buffaloe, and hunters cannot live in the luxury that they like. Still with good economy food enough may be found from the beaver, Elk, deer, and goat, of which there are some. Ot- ter are plenty and good. Furs in this country would be good ex- cept about three months in the summer and by approaching the sea coast where the climate is warmer the hunt might continue all winter and thus add a great amt. to the years hunt without adding any thing to the expense.
& &c N. J. W.
Enclosing copy of contract with Fitzpatric and Sublette and proposal to the Hon. H. B. Co.
CI.
Bro Leond. (N York) Cambridge Nov roth 1833
Enclosed you have a note against Wyeth & Norris [for] Three Hundred and Sixty Five dollars which please place to my acc. and forward me the same in order that I may give you my note for the balance which is all I can do for the present.
Am now in treaty with Mess. Tucker & Williams and as soon as the result is known I will write you fully. All well here and the wills destroyed at my request.
Vr Afte Bro. N. J. W.
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CII. Cambridge Nov. 11th 1833
Mess. Editors
Haying while on a recent visit to the Columbia Received much attention and kindness from the English Traders there I deem it a duty to express my gratitude for the same, more es- pecially as I am frequently asked the question if I was never molested by them. By all their acts toward myself I am fully convinced that all persons who from any cause may come into contact with them will receive honorable and gentlemanly treat- ment. Among the many to whom I am under obligation I wish to name Chief Factors John Mclaughlin and Finlinson, Chief Trader Francis Horon, Mr. Francis Ermatinger and Mr. Pam- brun. Among the American Traders I have received much at- tention from Mr. Mckenzie and Mr. Laidlow of the Am. Fur Co and Mr. W'm. L. Sublette. To all the above gentlemen I tender my thanks
Wr. Obt. Servt. Nathl J Wyeth. CIII. Cambridge Nov. 10th 1833
Bro. Jacob (Galena Mo)
Having arrived here I take the first oppor- tunity to forward your account in order that it may be settled while I am at home which is the more easy as there appears to be little difference between us. The horse which you took in the mountains was charged to me by the Co. at 75$ but in your acc. I charge just enough to make balance between us. Int. is so nearly even that I say nothing about it. $150 is credited by me to you because that amt. which I took of Mess. Norris & Wyeth in Baltimore is charged to you in your acc. with them which should have been charged to me. The $94.50 in your acc. is cash paid for : medicines and money lent at various times. The $40 is the amt. which I paid the Pacific Trading Co. as per your agree- ment with them. Will you have the goodness to forward me as soon as possible your acc. against me, that is just reverse the Dr. and Cr. sides of the annexed receipt and forward it by mail, also please let me know how you are doing. All well here. Nudd was killed last winter in the mountains, and Trumbull died at Vancouver on the Columbia. All else well as far as I know.
Yr Afte Bro. N. J. Wyeth CIV. Cambridge Nov 10th 1833
Mess. Joseph Baker & Son (Boston) (This letter sent also to W. H. Boardman)
Gent The following has been collected from the clerks of the H. B. Co. during my stay west of the mts. and al-
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tho not very definite may serve to show what opposition you may expect from them. It has been gathered from so many persons that I am inclined to think that its truth may be relied on.
Yr Obt. Servt. N. J. W.
An occasional post on the Umquou River in about Latt. 42 deg. Fort George, or Astoria renewed about 1830 and to be kept up. A Fort at Fraizers River which emtys into Pugets Sound about 30 miles up the river. It is contemplated to move this post to the coast and a little south of the river. A Fort south of Nass to be established this year. A Fort now established at Nass. A Fort north of Nass to be established this year
To be kept on the Coast
Bg. Lima Dryad
Capt. McNeil
Kipling
Kadboro
Sinclair
Sch. Vancouver "
Duncan to be launched in June.
CV.
Bro. Perry (Newburg \'t.)
Cambridge Nov. 12th 1833
I arrived home on 6th inst. in good health and spirits and am very buisy in making arrangements for another trip. I hope to get men the next time who will stick to me. On arrival I found all well and much the same as when I left. It would afford me much pleasure to see you this winter but I do not think it possible for me to spare the time required for a visit to your place. I regret to find that a deserter of mine has been publishing lies in some paper near you. Much that he says can be contradicted but would operate as an expo- sure to young Livermore which I would wish to avoid on acc. of his parents. It appears to me that the letters of Bell go at least to shew that he was guilty of Horse stealing and if his character is much known to your vicinity his statements will meet with little credit, and will not require from me any notice in fact I have nei- ther time nor inclination to go into such a subject with such a fellow. Please give me your Ideas on this matter.
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