USA > Oregon > Sources of the history of Oregon > Part 21
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CCXII.
Hams fork of the Colorado of the West June 21st 1834 Leond Jarvis Esq
Dear Sir I have not time to write much or much to say, but I cannot omit saying a little. So far this buis- ness looks black. The companys here have not complied with their contracts with me and in consequence I am obliged to make a fort on Lewis River to dispose of the goods I have with me. I think I can in a little time realize good returns, but in the mean- time the concern at home may get discouraged and if they do the whole is spoiled, and I shall be obliged to give up the buisness. After leaving a part of my men to take charge of the fort I shall proceed to the Columbia and probably get there about Ist Sept. The place I am now at is Latt 41 deg 45' Long 112 deg. 35'. If I am obliged to return home again it will be to stay and endeavour to pay off the debts which I will then owe, and believe that I can do so in time with health.
Accept Dear Uncle my wishes for your happiness and also that of my good Aunt, and believe me
Yr Afte. Nephew N. J. W. CCXIII.
Hams Fork of the Colorado of the West June 21st 1834
Dear Parents I arrived here on the 19th inst without accident after a very quick voyage and no fighting. All as yet looks as prosperous as could be expected (you know however that I do not expect much and am therefore not so likely to be dissappointed). I hope you get along in quiet and peace with Jonas. The idea that this may not be the case oc- casions me some uneasiness. I can not say how soon you may expect to see me but of this be certain, that there is little or no dang- er here except of not living quite so well as I could at home. I hope you will do all that you can to make my wife comfortable and happy and yourselves the same. I have many letters to write and not much time at present but shall write you by the re- turn vessell.
Love to all. With many wishes for your health and hap- piness
I am yr affectionate Son Nathl J Wyeth. CCXIV.
Hams Fork of the Colorado of the West June 21st 1834 Dear Wife I have but little to say to you in a letter, but much buisness with you, if I were at home. I got here safe and well, but whether I shall do well is yet uncer- tain but I will try. Miltons leg got so bad that he did not come with me. Mr. Nuttall is well and is cursing the tittle tattle of Cambridge in high style. It would do you good to look into
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our tent just now and see how fat I am. Be of good cheer and make yourself as happy as you can until I come or send.
Give my respects to your mother and Aunt Rebecca and love to Caroline Baptiste send[s] compliments.
yr afte. Husband Nathl. J. Wyeth. CCXV.
Hams Fork of the Colorado of the West June 21st 1834 Mr Jas Brown
My old friend I cannot write at length but there is a feeling when I write to you that I feel to no one else. In long array comes up the wits and wine the social converse and the sunny side hills of old times. Are they gone forever? Yes from me, but as the hearts of kings tremble at the name of Napoleon, so mine vibrates to the recollections of old joys. I am not now able at once to heave care "over side" and the Bon[n]y Boat the Jovial crew, Chaplain and all would now be insufficient to fill the void. I believe that times of Careless Joy have gone by for me. and speed to them. And now we look forward to those quiet times when the wicked cease from troubling and the weary are at rest. Are the heavens Black or is the gloom in my vision? The latter must be true for still youth and I[n]trepidity look upon as fresh a world as ever and will not believe "hic Transit Gloria mundi to be true." If you think me Blue remember that I am hard to convince and all are uniwilling to believe themselves astray.
In regard to my affairs manage them as well as you can. My scituation is not such as to justify your incurring any risque on my account. I would like to keep the Colledge lott if possible because I think that let affairs turn as they may I will be able to come home and in a little time clear myself of any incumbrance.
I hope your buisness is prosperous and not so burdensome as to destroy comfort. Mine here still looks squally but obstinacy and hope guide the way.
Be so good as to give my respects to all friends and especially to your good wife and love to little ones.
And believe me as of old your affectionate friend
N. J. Wyeth CCXVI.
Hams Fork of the Colorado of the West June 21st IS34 Col. E. W. Metcalf
Dear Sir As I promised, I write to say that in gallant stile, I bore your acceptable present of a cap over the Rocky Mountains and in perfect saf[e]ty arr[i]ved a[s] far as this on our long route Latt. 41 deg. 45 min. Long
Perhaps you may think it strange that I write when I have so little to say I do so to induce a correspondence with one who is
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well able to inform me of the state of affairs at home and who perhaps will be willing to take the trouble to inform me. We have in this country little to interest the mind when once the novelty of white Bears Buffaloes and Indians is worn off which is now pretty well the case with me. Mr. Nuttall is with me and well and has made an immense collection of new plants pre- served also there is a Mr. Townsend who has found a good variety of new birds and preserved them. I shall establish a fort on Lewis River which will be about 150 miles west of this for the purpose of trade and then go to the mouth of Columbia River for the further prosecution of it.
Should you consent to correspond you can leave your letters at Mess. Tucker & Williams Central Wharf. In the meantime ac- cept for yourself and family my best wishes
Respectfully yr obt Servt. Nathl. J. Wyeth
CCXVII.
Hams Fork of the Colorado of the West June 21st 1834 Bro Charles,
All well, but I am afraid not doing as well as might be expected but will do all I can "and then trust to providence." My affairs are at the present in too unsettled a state to express any opinion of the event. I shall write you again by the vessell. In the mean time I am going about 150 miles west of this to build a Fort and that done shall proceed to the Columbia to build another there for fishing and then the Deil knows where after Beaver.
Give my love to your wife and believe me that old kindness is not diminished on the contrary I look back to the fondness that has so long sweetened our intercourse as the Brightest spot on memorys green and the brighter for the darkness and desolation which encompasses me.
yr. afte Brother Nathl. J. Wyeth CCXVIII.
Hams Fork of the Colorado of the West June 21st 1834 Bro. Leonard
I do not know what mood to write you in. Is money scarce? If I knew so I would indite you the Blackest kind of a letter and dip my pen in gall and wormwood and indulge my own fancy while tallying with yours.
Affairs in this region are going bad Murder is rife and dis- trust among themselves makes the whites an easy prey to Indians. There has been little Beaver caught and of that little I get less than I ought. As yet there is no positive indication of the event of this buisness. I shall do all I can and if those at home do not get discouraged it will yet turn out well but of this I am afraid.
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I leave this about the ist July and then go west about a hun- dred and fifty miles W. on the Lewis River to make a fort for trade thence to the Columbia to build another then out trapping and trading with a party. I shall write you by the vessell and hope to have good news to send but if not shall say nothing. Here are plenty of Buffaloe and other good things to eat and so far no Indians to trouble us, but continual watching is tiresome and at last men get willing to lay down and take their chance. I hope your difficulties have ceased and with less damage to your affairs than you apprehended still I think let what will come you will fare as well as the best and come out bright at last.
Give my respects to Mess. Osgoods and their families and my regular built[but?] hearty good will to you[r] lady and little ones, and believe me
yr. afte. Brother Nathl. J. Wyeth. CCXIX.
Hams Fork of the Colorado of the West June 30th 1834 Mess. Von Phull & McGill
Gent. I herewith enclose a draft, Fitz- patric Sublette & Bridger on Sublette & Campbell $1002.81 twelve mos. from date dated July Ist 1834 also one same parties 4 months $864.12 same date. These drafts or the proceeds of them you will please collect or hold subject to the directions of Mess. Tucker & Williams of Boston.
I take this opportunity to say that my journey so far has been prosperous and pleasant and attended [with] no accident and to express to you my sincere wishes for your health and prosperity.
I am yr. obt. Servt. Nathl. J. Wyeth.
CCXX.
Hams Fork of the Colorado of the West July Ist 1834
Latt. 41 deg. 45 min. Long. 112 deg. 34 min. Mess Tucker & Williams
Gent. I arrived here on the 17th inst. and W'm Sublette arrived two days before me. This he was enabled to do by leaving one half of his goods and horses on the route, which of course I could not do. On arrival the Rocky Mountain Fur Co. refused to receive the goods alledging that they were unable to continue buisness longer, and that they had dis[s]olved, but offered to pay the advances made to M. G. Sublette and the Forfeit. These terms I have been obliged to accept altho they would not even pay the interest on cash advances for there is no Law here. I have also sold a few goods at low prices. The proceeds of the Forfeit &c and Sales after deducting a small amt. for payment of wages of men who have gone home, from this place, I have for- warded to Mess. Von Phull & McGill of Saint Lonis subject to your order, in one draft Four months from date July Ist 1834 for
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$864. 12 12 and for $1002.81 same date 12 months both by Fitz- patric Sublette & Bridger, accepted by Sublette & Campbell of St Louis.
In addition to not fullfilling their agreement with me every ex- ertion is made to debauch my men in which they have had some success, but I have hired enough of theirs to make up,and do not fear falling short of troops. These circumstances induce me to quit their neighborhood as soon as possible.
I shall proceed about 150 miles west of this and establish a fort in order to make sale of the goods which remain on my hands. I have sent out messengers to the Pawnacks, Shoshonees, Snakes, Nez Perces and Flatheads to make robes and come and trade them at this Post. I am under the impression that these Indians will make a good quantity of Robes whenever they find they can sell them and I believe the Transportation will not be too expensive for the value of the article beside which I have no doubt that toler- able good returns of Beaver may be made at this post. I propose to establish it on a river called Portneuf on Snake or Lewis River.
I feel much disappointed that the contract was not complied with. Had M. G. Sublette been able to come I think it would have been. I much fear that the gentlemen at home will get dis- couraged if no returns are made the first year. I shall do the best I can but cannot now promise anything immediate. If I find on arrival at the mouth of the River that Lambert has not done much I shall think myself justified in detaining him another year.
I have drawn no drafts from these mountains.
Bonneville & Co. I have not seen, but he is not far from me on my proposed route. I fear that he has done nothing of conse- quence. I shall endeavour to take home his Beaver what there is of it if I can get an adequate price. I think his concern is finished.
I should forward you an Invoice of goods on hand and a memor- andum of transactions here but have not time without delaying my march. Capt. Thing altho a first rate man is even a worse scribe than myself and it isall we can do to make the proper charges and to look after our men and Horses and having to lose some time in making a fort, time is the more precious. I think that I will be with the vessell about the roth Sept. next and af- ter arranging at the Post on the Columbia shall try my fortune at a winter Hunt for Beaver.
I have now with me 126 horses and mules in good order and 41 persons all told that are in the employ, and can hire as many more as I want. The amount due for wages is trifling. Almost all the men take up as fast as they earn, and would faster if I would let them, in goods at about 500 per ct. on the original cost. Our expenses after this year will be very small, and I have strong hopes as ever of success notwithstanding appearances so far.
I am yrs Nath. J. Wyeth
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CCXXI.
Hams Fork July Ist 1834
Mr. G. Sublette
Dear Sir I arrived at [the] Rendesvous at the mouth of [the] Sandy on the 17th June. Fitzpatric refused to receive the goods he paid however, the forfieit and the cash advance I made to you this however is no satisfaction to me. I do not accuse you or him of any intention of injuring me in this manner when you made the contract but I think he has been bribed to sacrifice my interests by better offers from your brother. Now Milton, buisness is closed between us, but you will find that you have only bound yourself over to receive your supplies at such price as may be in- flicted and that all that you will ever make in the country will go to pay for your goods, you will be kept as you have been a mere slave to catch Beaver for others.
I sincerly wish you well and believe had you been here these things would not have been done. I hope that your leg is better and that you will yet be able to go whole footed in all respects.
I am Vr Obt. Servt. N. J. Wyeth.
CCXXII.
Hams Fork of the Colorado of the West July 2d 1834 Mess Von Phull & McGill
Gent. I enclose three small drafts drawn by me on Fitzpatric & Co whole amt. $98.25, which please collect and hold to the order of Mess. Tucker & Williams and oblige
Your obt Servt N. J. Wyeth.
CCXXIII.
Bear River July 5th 1834
Fr[i]end Ermatinger
Your esteemed fav. of [the] 12th ulto. reached me by the politeness of Mr. Newell on Hams fork of Green River. Mr. N. also informed me of the particulars of the battle with the Blkfeet. It must have been a capital mixture of Wine and Gun- powder. I am happy to hear that you had some success last year but am afraid that you will do but little this season.
I am quite happy to hear that the Doctor remains at Vancouver. I shall soon have the pleasure of seeing him. I suppose that Mckay has "thought of it" by this time and perhaps felt of it too, and you too seem to have done more than thought of it.
The latter part of your letter I shall answer when I see you, which will be, I think in the course of the year.
I am now on my way to meet a vessell that I sent from Boston to the mouth of the Columbia and hope to be there by the Ist Sept.
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You have also enclosed a letter for Mr. Payette whose son is now with me.
I came up with goods and about 50 men 130 horses. The goods I will have to leave for sale somewhere her[e]abouts with part of the men. I have got no Beaver and have sold but little and that for Drafts which I hope are good
I have again to repeat to you the advice which I before gave you not to come with a small party to the Am. Rendesvous. There are here a great collection of Scoundrels.
I have a great desire to see you and repay you in part for all the kindness which I received from you last year. Please give my respects to Mr. Horon and all my accquaintances that you may happen to see and believe me
yr obt Servt and Fr[i]end Nath. J. Wyeth
CCXXIV.
Bear River July 5th 1834
Mr Francis Payette Dear Sir I received your esteemed fav. of 14th May from Fort Nez Perces.
me and will go to the Your son is now with
mouth of the Columbia to arrive there about the Ist Sept. He has learned to speak English to read write and cypher tolerably well. He learns fast considering how broken his time has been. We teach him a little on the route but cannot do as much as I could wish. He is an active lad and appears content- ed. I should be pleased to hear from you at all times and espe- cially good news. Letters addressed to the care of the Doctor at Vancouver would reach me.
I am yr obt Servt. N J Wyeth CCXXV. Sept Ist 1834 (at Grand Ronde)
Capt. Bonneville
Dear Sir Yours of this morning I have, and in answer can only say that I shall send a clerk and an outfit of goods up to the Fort as soon as I get down, and shall come my- self with it as far as where you now are, and probably be there in about 7 weeks from this time. I will enlarge the outfit a little so as to meet this trade, and will trade with them personally at your present camp, if they will be there, or I will send a clerk to them at any place they shall designate, provided they do so before my passing the Grande Ronde. The time and place must be designated in time in order that I may give the proper direc- tions to the clerk.
I shall bring up goods so that in case you should alter your mind as to purchasing you could still get a supply. But if I could see
הזיהוי
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you personally at the Grande Ronde when I return it is likely that we might make a joint buisness of it.
It is very like that I may detain the Brig until next summer, in which case I would like to freight home your furs, which I will do at 3772 per lb. Insurance included and receive them at the Grand Ronde.
[No signature.] CCXXVI. [No address given.] Sept Ist 1834
Capt Bonneville
Dear Sir I got your note of to day late this even- ing, and am obliged to you for the trouble you have taken. I will meet the Nez Perces at the A-show-to River within 8 weeks. I Hope to meet yot before this, and would be pleased to make a joint affair of it much better than to proceed alone.
Your Beaver traded from the Skiuses [Cayuses] is so much seized from the common enemy in trade, so far so good.
Respectfully yrs. Nathl. J. Wyeth . CCXXVII.
Copy of letters of introduction addressed to Leond Jarvis Esq. J. Wyeth, L. I. Wyeth Chas. Wyeth and James Brown in fav. of Capt W. Stewart.
Oct 6th 1834 Columbia River.
Permit me to introduce to your acquaintance Capt William Stewart an English gentleman who has been traveling in the Rocky Mountains during the last year. From his intimate ac- quaintance with the affairs of the Mountains he will be able to satisfy such enquiries as you may wish to make respecting those regions. Any attention that you can shew him will much oblige me.
& &c N. J. W. CCXXVIII.
Columbia River Oct 6th 1834
Capt William Stewart
Dear Sir Enclosed you have a few letters ad- dressed to some of my frends. They will be happy to see you and to hear from me and if convienient you will oblige me by de- livering them. Also enclosed you have your account which you can pay to Mess. Tucker & Williams, or to either of the gentle- men to whom the letters are addressed and request them to do it. I am yr. obt. Servt. N. J. W. CCXXIX.
Columbia River Oct. 6th 1834 (40 miles above the mouth.) Frederic Tudor Esq. (Boston.) Dear Sir Since mine of 20th June last I have built
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a Fort on Lewis River and raised the Am. Flag in a new region amid the din of powder and the effects of alcohol common on such occasions. I assure you the Fort looks quite as warlike as a pile of of ice but not quite so proffitable. After accomplish- ing this I made for this place and met the vessell on the 11th Sept. she having then just arrived after a disasterous passage of 8 months caused by being struck by lightening off Valparaiso. Con- ¿quently I am obliged to delay the vessell until another year which will delay for that period at least any decision as to the duration of this buisness, it looks black enough at the present time to induce an opinion that it must terminate soon one way or the other.
I find by some English publications that you[r] ice adventure to Fast Indies attracts much attention. Should this branch of your buisness appear to be of value would it not be possible to raise up some trade from this coast to enable you to send vessells from this to Calcut[t]a. I think the ice might be obta[i]ned a little north of this, I can not think if any cargo that could be brought here from the East Indies.
I am anxious to hear how the speculation ended and if you find sufficient encouragement to continue it, also how your ordinary ice buisness has succeeded the last year and what has been the result of your coffee affair. Permit me to ask the favour of a letter from you by the first opportunity.
I am now buisy in making an establishment on the Multnomah about 50 miles from its mouth and one on the Columbia at this place. This winter I go up Lewis River to make one more Fort on its waters and one on the south side of the Great Salt Lake. In the Spring I shall return and ascertain if I can put up a cargo of Salmon.
With wishes for all manner of prosperity for you,
I am yr. obt. Servt. N. J. W.
CCXXX.
Columbia River Oct 6th 1834 Jas. W. Fenno Esq. (Boston) Dear Sir Since mine of 20th June I have built the Fort that I then mentioned on Lewis River, Long 112 deg. 30 min. W. Latt 43 deg. 14 min. N. I ar- rived on the Columbia and met my vessell on the 11th Sept. she having been struck by lightening on the passage out and detained in consequence to repair at Valparaiso. She entirely missed the salmon season and I am obliged to detain her to another year.
I still think of the old buisness and hope if this fails to find an opening left to resume it. When I shall be at home is uncertain. This buisness looks very bad at this time. We have failed in every thing for the first year. I shall do all I can one year more, which will I think shew whether anything is to be done
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here or not, and I will not be long in closing the concern when I find that there is nothing to be made.
You will be careful not to make any disclosures as it regards the prospects of our buisness here which might be injurious.
I am anxious to hear from you and obtain information of how the agitated question now stands. In the mean time believe me your obt Servt
N. J. W.
CCXXXI. Columbia River Oct 6th 1834
Friend Brown
My last was from Hams Fork of the Colorado of the West since which time I have been building a Fort on the Snake or Lewis Fork of the Columbia which I named Fort Hall which took me until the 6th August on which day the Am. Standard was raised in regions remote from its usual habitation and amid the noise of revelry and gun powder it floated in the gaze of the astonished Savages. After accomplishing this I proceeded to the mouth of the Columbia where on the IIth ulto. I met our ship. She had on her way out been struck by lightening which occa- sioned a detention of three months by which our season for fish- ing was entirely lost. I shall detain her until another year and if she is then not able to bring home good returns I shall close this concern as soon as possible and return home with a flea in my ear.
My route from this to the Salmon season of next year will be from this place to Fort Hall Latt. 43 deg. 14 min. N. Long 113 deg 30 min. W. thence to the Great Salt Lake where I propose to build another Fort and thence back to this place to be here by the 15 May next to be ready for the Salmon.
I am extremly buisy and can not say much but wish you and your family all the good wishes you can imagine
Yr fr[i]end and Servt N. J. W. CCXXXII. Columbia River Oct 5th 1834
Dear Wife
I am here but have had no good luck. The vessell was struck by lightening on her way out and detained so long that the salmon season was past. She will therefore have to remain here until another year. In the mean time I shall cruise about the country and see what I can find.
* I have built a Fort on Snake river near the middle of the Con- tinent, one here, and made a farm on the Multnomah. If by another year I find that the buisness is to be successfull I shall send home for you, if not I will come home myself.
I hope you mak[e] your self comfortable and happy. It is the only good policy to enjoy ourselves while we can
Y'r afte. Husband N. J. W.
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CCXXXIII.
[No address or date]
Jacob Wyeth Esq.
I am here buisy as can be fitting out parties making farms, Forts, and preparing for next years fishing. The vessell met with an accident which detained her so long on her passage that this years salmon fishing entirely failed. I shall try it one year more and if then there is no better success to be had I shall quit it and come home and attend to whatever buisness I can find wher[e]by to make a living.
I hope that no further difficulty with our tenant has disturbed your comfort and that all things about the place go on well. From what I heard when I was at St. Louis Jacob must be mar- ried by this time and if so I suppose you have heard of it. From the representation of very respectable people from Gelena he is quite a reformed man diligent and successful in his profession and respected by those who know him. The lady to whom he was about to be tied is said to be of the first respectability and every way worthy. I have 110 doubt that she will exercise a very salutary influence over him.
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