USA > Oregon > Sources of the history of Oregon > Part 20
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Seaton sends out a party of about 40 men and we propose to join company through the dangerous country. This with super- numeraries will make us about 120 strong enough to flog all the Indians in the country. Of my own funds here I shall not be able to collect more than 600$. In the mean time I have written to Mr. James Brown firm of Hilliard, Gray & Co who is my at- torney to get discounted some of the notes which I left with you which under any ordinary circumstances he will and can very readily do if you will call on him and this is all the arrangement
*Written "Can" when previously mentioned.
F
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WYETH'S OREGON EXPEDITIONS.
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which I can make to meet any deficiency that may appear against me. The Cash paid by me from my own funds in this place will not exceed $600., which is in addition to what stands to my. Credit with you.
I this day received a letter from the Gov. of the Hudsons. Bay Co. in London in regard to the proposition which I made them and of which you have a copy in my letter of Nov. 8 1833 de- ferring a definite answer to the same until the express from the Columbia was received it appears that their ships were last year frozen up at Hudsons Bay in consequence of which they had no news from the Columbia of the year in which I was there.
& &c N. J. W.
CXCIV.
St. Louis March 18th 1834
Bro. Jacob
I had hoped to find you here or at least a letter from you but do not, and therefore write to say a sort of farewell before I again encounter the uncertainies of the wilderness. After leaving you at the rendesvous we moved on with tolerable comfort and success in the way of Hunting and trading until we arrived at the Coast where we found the vessel that I had expect- ed had been lost. This was a signal for the rest to desert and truly I was glad to be rid of them altho thereby all the pro- ceeds of the expedition were sacrificed or buried in the Mountains. I then commenced my return with two hired men and during the time from the Ist March last until the 10th Oct. made my way to St. Louis and in due time home. The old concern being dis[s]olved, I formed a new one and am now on my way to the Columbia having sent a vessell round the Horn and am taking a company of 50 men overland to go over again the toils and suffering and perhaps the losses of which you saw a part, and this will either make or break me. Thus much for myself.
I hear that you are doing well and have far the best practice in your place. Industry will keep this and economy will make it ample for your wants. Vrs. of the 8th Dec. last I received and mark that you say that your "prospects are great and getting better, as you always knew they would be, if once disengaged from your friends as they ludicro[u]sly stile themselves who have always weighted you down &c stifling all your energies &c." Whether friendly to you or not or whether I ever stated myself to be, im- ports nothing and whether you intended me or others imports as little. All the comment I can make on the passage, is to ask you, who supported your early life of idleness and dissipation, until it was beyond the power of any friends to do it longer? and who on your return from the Mts. enabled you to avail yourself of your present prospects? I have never yet read a passage which so strongly indicated the truth of one of Rochefocaulds maxims viz.
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"If you would wish to make a man your irreconsilable enemy do him a kindness he cannot repay["]. I have done you the favor not to shew this letter to your friends believing that you did not appreciate the words when you wrote them and that it might be only an ex- ebition of that inconsiderateness which forms a part of your char- acter.
I hear that you are to be married and to one who is said to be worthy of you or any one else. Altho you do dot seem to allow that I should call myself your friend yet perhaps you will admit me to sug[g]est that economy will be the best mode to maintain that independency which you have now so fully declared more es- pecially as in regard to it I have been wanting as well as yourself. Be assured that much of the comfort of your married life will de- pend upon your being able to maintain a respectable appearance among your acquaintance. Want and pleasure do not associate, and beside if your income can be made sufficient nothing would be more to your credit than to pay off some of your small debts to the Eastward. This would make your father much more com- fortable than he now is and would in the end I have no doubt afford you more pleasure than you could purchase with the same money in any other way.
It affords myself and your other friends no little pleasure to hear that your exertions are praiseworthy and that at last you are likely to make a man of yourself that you have quit all sorts of dissipation and have formed industrious habits. That you may continue in this c[olurse is the sincere wish of
Vr afte Bro N. J. W. CXCV. St. Louis March 19th 1834
Mr Nuttall
Dear Sir Capt Thing informs me that you wait informa- tion from me before you leave Philad. I can not tell exactly what time I shall leave St. Louis, but of this I am certain that you will have no time to spare after you receive this and when you arrive at St. Louis call on Mess Von Phull & McGill who will inform you if I have gone up the river in which case follow as fast as you can. At Liberty or Independence you will hear if I have started and how long. If I have not been gone more than three or four days with a good horse you will easily overtake me before you come to any dangerous country following the trail of my horses.
I shall probably not leave Independence before the 25th April and perhaps not quite so soon. ' Much depends upon the grass whether it is fit to feed the horses or not. At present appear- ences indicate an early spring.
I am Yr Obt. Servt. Nathl. J. Wyeth
£
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CXCVI. St. Louis March 21st 1834
Mess Samuel & More
Gent Enclosed you have list of men which I send up. The passage is $5.50 a piece which please pay for all that are delivered, and when they arrive please find some house where they can stop and cook their food. Supply them with pro- visions until I come and let them cook for themselves. I shall be up in the next Boat.
I have paid the Capt $25 which please deduct from his bill unless he shows that he has supplied these men with provisions which he is authorized to do in case those on board run short.
Vr &c N. J. W.
P. S. Having blkts on the route I have given these men none. If you could hire their lodging cheap I would pay for it or get
. them some bedding until I come by paying for the use of it.
Also authorizeing Mess. Samuel & More to pay one dollar extra for any of the men who did not wood on the way and in proportion to the distance if they should desert.
N. J. W.
CXCVII. St. Louis March 28th 1834
Mess Samuel & More Liberty.
Gent Your fav. of 20 inst came to hand to day. I am sorry that you have made a contract for saddles at IO$ each. You have either mistaken the kind I wanted or have paid far too much. Such as I wanted without stir[r]ups or girths as I ordered them can be had here at $4 each. Please get off from taking as many as you can of these saddles, and if you have not already engaged 6 better ones that I ordered you may leave it until I come. You do not tell me what you are giving for animals or how many you have bought. I shall probably come up on the next Boat say in about eight days from the time you receive this.
In the mean time I remain
Yrs &c. Nathl. J. Wyeth CXCVIII.
St. Louis March 28th 1734
Bro Leond
Allow me to introduce to your acquaintance an uncle of Bro Jacobs intended, Col. Geo. W. Jones of Galena. He gives so good an account of the Doct. that I know you will take great pleasure in conversing with him
Vr. afte Bro. Nathl. J. Wyeth
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CXCIX.
St. Louis March 31st 1834
Dear wife (Cambridge)
Your fav. of 13th came to hand this morning and was very acceptable. I am glad to find you will take some care of the trees. Perhaps they will not grow for our use but some one will get the benefit and it will be pleasant to leave even such a men- orial of our having onceexisted. It is true that Mr. Fitzpatric was robbed by the Crow Indians but I was in hopes that you would not hear of it. I knew it before I left Cambridge but did not wish toalarm you. I do not think there is much danger with so large party as I shall have.
Mr. Nuttall and Mr. Townsend another naturalist passed through this place to the rendezvous last week and their goods went by the vessell so there is no doubt of his going. The Missionarys came here this morning. Mr. Abbot is at the rendezvous taking care of the horses. Batiste and the Indian I have also sent up to the rendezvous. Batiste continues a pretty good boy. I shall think of your request for seeds and pretty stones while I am on my way out, and certainly shall not forget my promise to send for you if there is any chance of doing so with propriety but you must not be too sanguine a thousand circumstances may prevent it altho I desire it much. I feel as much as you can do the lonesomeness of my way of life but you know the success of what I have undertaken is life itself to me and if I do fail in it they shall never say that it was for want of perseverance. But this is my last attempt and if I am not suc- cessfull I must come home and endeavour the best way I can to get a living and to pay my debts which will then be heavy. Still I am yet sanguine that I shall succeed. I will take good care of myself and perhaps the life which began in turmoil may yet end in quiet and peace and our sun go down from a clear sky. I should be desolate indeed if I thought that the residue of life was to be as unsettled as the past, and I cannot but reproach my- self that I have made you in some measure a widow while you ought to be enjoying yourself. I am afraid that you will brood over hopes that have been blasted by me who should have been with you to fulfil them and at hand in time of need to cherish and support. These things make me melancholy and I half be- lieve I have got the Blues.
Jacob writes me that he is about getting married. The people from Galena all say that he is doing well. I hope so but cant. help doubting whether it is permanent.
Good bye My Dear wife and may God bless you.
N. J. Wyeth
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CC.
Mess Samuel & More Liberty St Louis April 3rd 1834
Gent. Your fav. of the 28th ulto. came to hand this evening. I note that you are getting horses. 120 horses if good would do me. To this number you can pur- chase. If you can get mules allow that 3 are as good as 4 Horses. As to price you are the best judges, but I am in hopes that 30$ a piece will buy good horses and $40 mules. I wrote you on the 28 ulto. about saddles &c. I do not wish you to do any- thing more until I come in regard to any thing except Horses and mules. Please get the animals shod as fast as you buy them.
I am on the Ioway with all my goods and leave this in the morn- ing and have hired men enough with the 20 I have before sent you except 6 which please engage if you can find cheap and good but not otherwise.
I am yr obt. Servt. N. J. Wyeth CCI. St. Louis April 3d 1834
Mess Grant & Stone Philad.
Gent. I have drawn on you this day fav. of Mess Von Phull & McGill 90 days sight No 12 for $700 for which amt you will draw on Mess. Tucker & Williams as arrang- ed and oblige
yr. obt. Servt. N. J. W. CCII. St. Louis Ap 3d 1834
Mess Tucker & Williams (Boston)
Gent I have this day drawn on you No 13. $600 90 days sight fav. H. S. Coxe cashier of the U. S. Bank in this city, also this day No 12 on Mess. Grant & Stone Philad. $700 90 dys sight of which I have advised them.
All the goods have arrive here and are reshipped and insured to Liberty. I shall leave this in the boat in a few minutes and shall write you in full from the upper settlements forwarding acts[.] of disbursements and the certain arrangements of the expedition.
I am yr. Obt. Servt. N. J. W CCIII.
Independence Ap. 17th 1834
Mess Tucker & Williams
Gent. Your fav. of the 21st ulto. came to hand to day. The last of mine which you acknowledge is of the Ist March since which I have written you advising of the follow- ing draft viz. A and G. W. Ken to days sight on Grant & Stone No. It $1ooo March Irth-Von Phull & McGill 9[o] days on
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Grant and Stone No. 12 $700 April 3d-H. S. Coxe 90 days on Tucker & Williams No 13 $600 dollars Ap. 3d making about $6062.45. The amt you speak of as paid for Abbot was not paid on Company acc. but on my own. He gambles but is usefull to u- and owes us too much to have him stopped. To day I have drawn on you No. 14 fav. H. S. Coxe 90 days $343.37 also same on same date and time $3000 making in all to this date about 95005 and there will be yet some more. Several items not included in the first estimate conduce to this such as insurance of these vions, [?] passage for myself, Abbot, Thing and two Indians. The op- position of the 4 companies have made me pay heavy advances on men and high prices for horses, in addition to which I have been obliged to advance about $500 to Milton Sublette which arose from this circumstance viz last year Sublette & Campbell took out to the mountains Capt Stewart & Doct. Harrison and author- ized Milton Sublettes Company to credit them and draw for the amt. These drafts Sublette & Campbell refused to honor and pay as soon as they ascertained that we were to supply Milton Sublettes Company with goods unless Milton Sublette would re- main at home in which case Sublette & Campbell offered to set- tle the acts. and pay the Drafts. Sublette & Campbell are going out with a party of men & goods to the rendesvous to the moun- tains. Under these circumstances I felt myself obliged to make the advance above stated to M. G. Sublette and also to purchase a more expensive kind of animals then I had at first intended in order to be first at the rendesvous which I consider very import- ant. So far I am ahead and shall leave the settlements on the 26th or thereabouts at which time I shall forward you acts. in full. Invoices muster roll &c.
I am now packing up. All the goods have arrived here safely. I have 20 more horses to purchase. The season is early and everything favorable except that the expense will be greater than has been calculated, but as you do not complain much of hard times I am in hopes that you will meet it willingly and re- quest you to believe that every exertion has been made to keep it within bounds. There are none of the Dignitaries with me as yet and if they "preach" much longer in the States they will loose their passage for I will not wait a minute for them.
I am &c N. J. Wyeth CCIV.
Indpendence April 25th 1834
Mess Tucker & Williams Gent. To day I drew my last draft on Mess Grant & Stone 30 days sight No 16 2515.66 fav. of Samuel & More. You will be surprised at the amt. I have drawn but with- out abandoning the enterprise I could not avoid it and there being no chance to refer to you, I have taken the responsibility and
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must abide the consequences if you choose not to ratify my act. I should have drawn on my own means but I have not got them. There have been by the government and the trading compan- ies purchased hereabove 1000 Horses which accounts for the great increase in the price. I have been obliged to advance to men or not get them and once in for it I have been obliged to pay their other debts, or loose them. Many of them having been taken by the officers. I shall make out Invoices, musters, and accounts due from men and my own account with the concern. These I shall send from the Kansas Agency. I should do it here but officers are continually taking the men and making more expense beside time is of the greatest importance. I go in the morning and can make out these papers at nights. It is like keeping a bag of fleas together to keep the men in this whisky country
In haste. You will please pass to m[y] Cr.
yr obt. Servt. Nathl. J. Wyeth CCV. Independence April 26th 1834
Mess Tucker & Williams
Gent. Notwithstanding what I wrote you yesterday I have drawn to day yet another draft fav. of Mess. Samuel & More No 17 $120 sight which I hope and believe will be the last. I have lost 4 cattle and 2 horses and in case I do not find them to day I shall leave them behind. Excuse my brevity at this moment as I have many things to do and shall write you again as advised in mine of yesterday.
Enclosed you have a note of W. Abbot to me which please hold for collection. This is the debt which I paid for him to Sublette & Campbell as advised in mine of ist March from Cin- cinati and credit the same to my acc. and oblige
yr obt. Servt. Nathl J Wyeth CCVI. Kanzas River May 2d 1834
Mess Tucker & Williams
Gent This is my last this side of the moun- tains and with it you have my acc. with bills and copies of bills that are required as vouchers in the mountains also a list of peo- ple terms of engagements and charges against men. I am not sure that these papers are accurate as they were made up in camp and in very wet weather and much to attend to. I have lost 2 Horses 4 cows. 2 men deserted and I expect some more will. I am the first as yet in the Indian country. Excuse me from writing more as I am fatigued to[o] much.
yr obt. Servt. Nathl. J. Wyeth.
P. S. I have not sent you the invoice of my own goods because they will probably be all charged to disbursements in case I send
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out a trapping party. I have therefore supposed it best to charge all except Sublettes Invoice to Disbursements and credit that ac- count when any part of it was sold.
CCVII. Little Vermillon May 8th 1834
Mess Tucker & Williams
Gent I am sorry to say that Mr. M. G. Sublettes leg has grown so troublesome that he is to day obliged to turn back and by him I write this. He has given me an or- der on his partner for the amt. of advances made him payable in furs. I regret this circumstance much but it was unavoidable as he was perfectly unable to go on. 4 more men have deserted since mine of 2nd inst. 2 men I have hired. No more horses have been lost. The bills and acts. were forwarded by the same conveyance as the letter of the 2nd inst. We have now crossed the Kanzas and are about 60 miles above the Agency or 120 from the western limit of the state of Missouri.
In the acts. which I forwarded to you you will observe a mis- take of 343.37 which you will please credit to my acc. Wish- ing you all manner of good success and the same myself some- what on your account I remain
Vr obt Servt. Nathl. J. Wyeth CCVIII.
One day this side the Blue May 12th 1834
Dear Sir Wm Sublette having passed me here, I am induced to write to you by this opportunity and hope you will get it. You may expect me by the Ist July at the rendesvous named in your letter to Milton which which you sent by Dr. Harrison who opened it and I presume told Wm Sublette of the place. I am not heavily loaded and shall travell as fast as possible and have a sufficient equipment of goods for you according to contract. Cerre will be much later than me and also the Am. Fur Co. Milton left me a few days since on account of his leg which is very bad. I am yr obt. Servt. N. J. W. To Thos Fitzpatric or Co.
In the Rocky Mountains.
P. S. I have sent a vessell around the Horn with such goods as you want and would like to give you a supply for winter rendesvous or next year on such terms as I know would suit you.
CCIX. Sweet Water June 9th 1834
Mess Thomas Fitzpatric & Co. Gent. I send this to inform you of my approach with your goods. I am now two days behind Wm Sublette, who I presume is with you by this. Milton informed
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me that you would rendesvous near the mouth of the Sandy. In case you do not I wish you would immediately inform me by ex- press. I am now one days march above rock Independence and shall continue to come on at a good rate and for the present fol- low the same route which I came by two years since. I wish that you would defer making any contract for carrying home any surplus furs that you have or for a further supply of goods untill I come as I have sent a vessell to the mouth of the Columbia with such goods as you want and am ready to give you a supply for winter rendesvous if you wish, or for next year, and also to send home by her, at a low rate, such furs as you may have and can make you advances in St. Louis on them to pay men &c.
I am yr. obt. Servt. Nathl. J. Wyeth. CCX.
Hams fork of the Colorado of the West June 20th 1834 Jas. W. Fenno Esq. Atty. at law Boston
Dear Sir According to arrangement I write you. I have as yet no certain knowledge of how the buisness I am now in will prove, or for how long a time it may detain me. Our getting no furs as yet, renders it quite probable that it may be given up soon. My partners may get discouraged, if no returns are made the first year, and if they do I shall be compelled to give the thing up. You may feel yourself quite certain on the return of the first vessell if another is not sent out immediately that I am coming home soon. Hav- ing been the instigator of this enterprise I cannot be the first to abandon it and have no disposition to do so, but if those engaged with me do not support me in a proper manner so as to enable me to prosecute it successfully I must turn my attention to some other buisness. It is perhaps impertinent in me to advise and quite likely you will think me interested, nevertheless, if you will keep yourself aloof from the ice buisness for a time I think there may be an opportunity to commence it more favorably. For some years the buisness has been too successfull to induce proper ideas of its value and if you should enter the buisness as an agent you will run the chance of change of opinion which might be fatal to any project on the subject. Little as the above amounts to it is all that I can say. Affairs have not yet given any de- cided indication to enable me to be more definate. This much to shew you that I have not forgotten the subject.
I hope you have got the patent arranged in such a manner that you can clap the screws when occasion calls.
Our route hither has been attended with success so far as trav- elling but not otherwise. We have had no fighting and [have] seen few Indians and what horses we have lost have been worn out and not stolen. The companies here have all failed of making hunts, some from quar[r]eling among themselves some from having
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been defeated by the Indians and some from want of horses, and what few furs have been taken have been paid to the men for their services leaving none for me. I shall build a fort on Lewi- River about a hundred and fifty miles west of this which is in Latt. 45 deg. 15 min. Long 112 deg. 15 min. and there deposite my goods for sale when there is Beaver to pay for them.
While I am here turning Indian probably you are turning civilized that is getting married and settling down to all the comfort that can be imagined, preparing yourself an easy chair for after life. That you may find not thorns when you expect Down is the wish of
your friend and Servt. Nathl J. Wyeth.
CCXI.
Hams Fork of the Colorado of the West June 20th 1834 F. Tudor Esq.
Dear Sir With no adventure worth relating in the way of Battle or hardship I arrived here on the 19th inst. having left the settlements on the Ist May. And feel it a duty to write to you altho I have not much to say. The contracts which I made with the companys here have not been complied with and in consequence I am obliged to establish a fort, which I shall do on Lewis River about a hundred miles west of this for the pur- pose of trading my goods and then leave part of my men at it and then proceed to the Columbia for the further prosecu- tion of the buisness. The failure of adequate returns by the first vessell may possibly discourage those who are concerned in this thing at home and in case you find that a vessell is not sent out as soon after the first returns as possible you may expect to see me soon and in such case with a determination to take any reasonable chance in the ice buisness and stick to it the remain - der of my buisness life. I cannot in conscience ask you to defer any thing for me nor can I be the first to abandon this under- taking having been first in it, but will not prosecute it further than there is a reasonable chance of success.
We have here none of what you call the comforts of life but have heart and health, and are yet young and after all not dis- couraged which is one half. If I cannot succeed I will fail after a fair tryal but not before.
That you may in the evening of your days enjoy that comfort and satisfaction for which you have striven so hard and long is the wish of one who feels under heavy obligation to you.
I am yr obt Servt. Nathl. J. Wyeth
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