Oregon Historical Quarterly/Volume 5/Literary Remains of David Douglas, Botanist of the Oregon Country
LITERARY REMAINS OF DAVID DOUGLAS, BOTANIST OF THE OREGON COUNTRY.
[Reprinted from "The Companion to the Botanical Magazine," Volume II, London, 1836.]
EDITORIAL PREFATORY NOTES.
Several of the following numbers of the Quarterly will be taken up largely with the publication of the journals of two scientists, David Douglas and Dr. John Scouler. These men rendered the different branches of natural history conspicuous services through explorations conducted in the "Oregon Country." Dr. Scouler came as surgeon to the Hudson Bay Company's vessel, the William and Anne, and gave his attention mainly to the fauna of the Pacific Northwest during the year 1825. Mr. Douglas came at the same time and continued his work in this region mainly as collector of plants with intense, one might almost say desperate, zeal during the major part of the time from 1825 to 1833.
The journal kept by Dr. Scouler during his explorations in the Pacific Northwest has, I believe, never been published. Through the keen search for Oregon material, conducted by Mr. Charles E. Ladd, of Portland, it was secured for the region to which it mainly pertains, and it was generously turned over to the Oregon Historical Society. It will be published in the pages of the (Quarterly along with the reprint of the Douglas material. Probably not a copy of the work containing the Douglas narrative is to be found in Oregon. It is believed that the value of both of these documents will be materially enhanced by their being brought into conjunction. They will be found to be very interesting and exceedingly important sources of Oregon history.
These documents represent the best type of contemporary records of extensive and intimate experiences with the InIndians find with the Hudson Bay people. They contain accurate observations of the conditions in Oregon during a decade for which other sources are very scarce. Students of nature in the Pacific Northwest will take keenest delight in every word of these pioneers of science on this coast. These modest accounts of the noble daring of lonely travelers as they took their lives into their hands and penetrated the vast solitudes of "Old Oregon," suffering extreme privations and enduring appalling hardships for the benefit of mankind, will appeal to all. Now and then they meet with natives ready to stoop to acts of basest treachery. When we consider the motives of these pioneers, their fortitude and their persistence, I think that we shall be impressed with the fact that the quality of their heroism is unique.
An explorer in that early time covering the ground so thoroughly as did Douglas was of necessity brought into intimate contact with pretty much all the white people established here. He saw all that was here and all that was being planned. His records, therefore, afford not a little help toward an understanding of the forces and tendencies shaping affairs on Oregon soil.
It will be remembered that it is this Douglas for whom the Douglas spruce (Pseudotsuga Douglassi) was named. While it is quite fitting that the tree that is the monarch of the forests of the Pacific Northwest the largest and most important timber tree should bear the name of this indefatigable explorer of the flora and fauna of that region, yet the reader of his journals and letters will be struck with the fact that it was the sugar pine (Pinus Lambertiana) that impressed him most. He was virtually a worshiper of it. There was no limit to the sacrifice he was willing to make to secure specimens of its cones and twigs. Having found it he went into ecstasies over it.
This number of the Quarterly contains the first installment of the memoir, journal and letters of Douglas. It is the record of these investigations of the flora of the Pacific Northwest and of California that won for him high rank among the botanists of the world. The collections of Douglas furnished the major portion of the materials of several "inestimable works." These, says Dr. Hooker, "will constitute a lasting memorial of Mr. Douglas's zeal and abilities; whilst not only in this country (Great Britain), but throughout Europe and in the United States of America, there is scarcely a spot of ground deserving the name of a garden which does not owe many of its most powerful attractions to the living roots and seeds which have been sent by him to the Horticultural Society of London." A list of 154 plants is given in the body of the records as introduced from the Pacific Northwest into Europe by Douglas. A list of forty-seven more represents those secured in California. Douglas's own statement of his collections, to be found in a letter written October 23, 1832 which was a year before his work in the Pacific Northwest closed is as follows: "I think that I added not less than 150 undescribed species this year, including some new genera, which will bring up the entire amount of flowering plants to scarcely less than 7,000 distinct Species. "
GENERAL SCHEDULE OF DOUGLAS'S MOVEMENTS.
Leaves England in company with Dr. Scouler for the Columbia July 15, 1824. Enters the Columbia April 7, 1825. Leaves Fort Vancouver with the Annual Express for England (overland to Hudson Bay) March 20, 1827. Leaves England for second exploration of the Columbia country October, 1829. Arrives in the Columbia June 3, 1830. Arrives in California from the Columbia December 22, 1830. Goes to the Sandwich Islands August, 1832. Returns to Fort Vancouver October, 1832. Leaves for the Sandwich Islands November, 1833. Was killed there July 12, 1834.
AN OUTLINE OF HIS EXPLORATIONS.
On the outward voyage the William and Anne touches at the Madeira Islands, Rio Janeiro, Juan Fernandez, and Gallipagos Islands. The notes of the naturalists indicate that they are very active at the above points and out the voyage. The vessel arrives opposite the mouth of the Columbia on February 12, 1825. It crosses the Columbia bar April 7th. For some two weeks botanical operations are carried on near the mouth of the river. Both sides are visited and expectations are realized. Fort George is about to be abandoned. Douglas makes the newly located Fort Vancouver his headquarters from April 20 to May 10. In company with Dr. Scouler he goes down the Columbia, Returning alone at the end of the month he departs up the Columbia June 20 to a point a few miles above Celilo Falls. On July 19 starts to return down the river that he may prosecute researches at the coast. Arrives at Vancouver August 5th. Dries and packs collections until the 18th. On August 19 ascends the Willamette, passing the falls and continuing for two days beyond to a village of Calapooia Indians twenty-four miles above the falls. Camps several days near a "saline" spring. A hunting party goes west over a ridge of mountains. At this camp Douglas's attention is first called to the seed of "a remarkably large pine." These seeds were carried by the natives in pouches and eaten by them as nuts. He learned that the tree grew in the mountains to the south. Returns to Vancouver "richly fraught" with "treasure collected."
Spends a few days in arranging specimens and drying seeds. On the 5th of September, with an Indian chief as guide, he proceeds to the Cascades, where he tries to reach the summits of the mountains, first on the north side and then on the south. On the 13th he re-embarks for Vancouver. Spends the rest of the month of August packing collections. Dr. Scouler returns from a voyage to the north. A wound in Douglas's knee, received in packing, disables him for several weeks. On October 22 he starts down the Columbia in a small canoe, accompanied by four Indians. He aims to visit Dr. Scouler and old shipmates on the William and Anne, which is about to weigh anchor for England. He misses the vessel and continues on a trip to Grays Harbor and the Chehalis River, as he had planned. Suffers great hardships, exposed to a season of incessant rains, the wound in his knee still giving him much trouble. From the upper Chehalis he crosses over to the Cowlitz and passes down to the Columbia. Reaches Vancouver November 15 from a very unsatisfactory trip. Poor health and inclemency of weather preclude any thought of botany from November 15 to December 30. On December 18 the Annual Express arrived at Vancouver. As it had left Hudson Bay before ship had arrived from England, he was "heavily disappointed" in not receiving anything from home. On December 24 rain drives him from his bark hut. Dr. McLoughlin invites him into his half-finished house. On Christmas Day his troublesome knee prevents his joining the gentlemen in an after-breakfast airing on horseback.
An extended account of the fauna of the Columbia follows. Douglas evidently turned his investigations in that direction during the remaining winter months.
He feels constrained to devote another season to explorations of the Columbia country, even though this decision meets with the disapproval of the Horticultural Society of London. His plans now are to return home by crossing the continent to Hudson Bay in the spring of 1827. Should circumstances forbid his doing that he will proceed to England by sea.
Proposes to make Walla Walla, Spokane, and Kettle Falls his headquarters during the spring and summer months of 1826 that he may do justice to the upper country. Hopes to send the most of his collections by the vessel leaving Vancouver in November and to carry package of seed across to Hudson Bay in the spring of 1827. On March 20, in company with McLeod and Ermetinger, he starts up the Columbia. They have trying experiences with the Indians in passing Celilo Falls. Reach Priest Rapids April 1. On April 6 they arrive at the establishment on the Okanogan River. Proceeds thence to the junction of the Spokane with the Columbia. Botanizes there until the 19th, then accompanies party to Kurt Colville. near Kettle Falls. On May 9 he starts for abandoned establishment at Spokane that he might meet there a Canadian who possessed extensive knowledge of the country and its productions, and who, Douglas wished, should repair his gun. On the 13th he goes back to Kettle Falls. Botanizes the surrounding country. June 5 starts for Walla Walla. From the 17th to the 24th makes first excursion to the Blue Mountains. Between June 26 and July 3 makes second trip to the Blue Mountains. On the 10th starts down the Columbia to meet company bringing letters. Anxiety much allayed on receiving letters, read and reread. On the 18th goes with a party up the Snake to "its forks" (150 miles). On the 25th makes side trips into the Blue Mountains. On the 31st starts overland to Kettle Falls via Spokane. In crossing Cedar River loses seeds, notebook and knapsack. From August 7 to 15 busy collecting plants. Hearing of chance to send collections by last direct vessel to England for some years, he prepares to start for Vancouver. Troubles between Indian parties prevent his securing a guide. On the 19th sets out with one Indian. On the 23rd arrives at Okanogan settlement. Meets there McDonald and Ermetinger. "At noon of the last day of August, the day previous to that (the 1st of September) on which the ship was fixed to sail, landed at Point Vancouver, whence in poor plight, weary and travel-soiled, glad at heart, though possessing nothing but a shirt, leather trousers and an old hat, having lost my jacket, neck-kerchief and worn out my shoes, I made my way to the fort, having traversed 800 miles of the Columbia Valley in twelve days, unattended by a single person except my Indian guide." September 1 gets chests into boat leaving for the Dryad. September 2 to 15 gleans seeds of species of plants collected the year before.
On the 20th of September starts on an expedition to the Umpqua, "or Aguilar River," to procure cones of "gigantic pine." On the 22nd arrives at McLeod's encampment at McKay's abandoned establishment on the Willamette. Country having been burned over, conditions are very unfavorable for botanizing. Adventure with "grisly bear" in the upper Willamette Valley. On the 16th strike the Umpqua. Douglas soon sets out for the upper courses of the river in search for the "much-wished-for" pine. Lies stunned for several hours from fall into deep gully. On the 24th experienced terrible storm. At midday of the 25th reached his "long-wished-for pine." Loses no time in examining trees and collecting twigs and cones. Is impressed with it as "beautiful and immensely grand." Makes and records measurements of a large tree. The report of his gun, fired to bring down cones, reveals his presence to eight Indians. Thes show spirit of fiendish hostility and render his situation perilous in the extreme. Douglas's coolness and his tactics, showing a prim determination to defend himself, cowed them. October 28 to November 7 travels to camp on lower Umpqua, and is there exposed to severe drenching winter storm and threatened by skulking bands of hostile Indians. Starts back to Vancouver, which is reached after a journey of twelve days of extreme misery, disheartened by the loss of nearly the whole of his collections while crossing the Santiam.
December 9 revisits coast in hopes of replacing some of the objects he had lost. The undertaking still more unfortunate than the first. Suffers wreck of canoe and returns home to Vancouver sick of effects of wet and cold. On the 6th of March once more visited the sea and was again driven back by bad weather, having failed this third and last time.
On March 20, 1827, by the Annual Express, in company with Dr. McLoughlin. he started for England. It is "an interesting country" he could "not quit without much regret." Goes via Fort Colville and Kettle Falls. The long, arduous tramp across the continent is described in detail. Arrived at the York Factory, Hudson Bay, about August 11. Botanized a month. Sailed from Hudson's Bay September 15. Arrives at Portsmouth on the 11th of October.
His great success in so perilous an exploration made him a "lion among the learned and scientific men in London." Dr. Hooker summarizes the results of Douglas's expedition. Plans are soon made for another. This time he was to do for California what had been done for the Columbia region. He was not, however, able to stay away from the Oregon country. He was equipped also for making astronomical, meteorological, geographical, and other observations, and was to extend his explorations even into Siberia.
Left England October, 1829. Arrives in Oregon on June 3, 1830. Spends six months in Oregon, but the journal of his activities from this time on on the Pacific Coast in Oregon and California is lost. We have only brief accounts in letters. The journals of his former expedition had from time to time been carefully dispatched to the Horticultural Society of London, which had been his main support. But soon after starting on his second exploration changes took place in the Horticultural Society which impelled Douglas to resign as its collector, and there was then no one to whom he was bound to communicate the results of his investigations. It will be noticed later also that he met with a very disastrous accident, in which he lost many of his records.
Arrives at Monterey from the Columbia December 22, 1830. Goes to the Sandwich Islands August, 1832. Early in March, 1833, was at Puget Sound. On March 19 starts up the Columbia to Okanogan with a cattle party. His plans to go to Thompson's River, Alexandria, and upper Caledonia, and to come down through the Fraser River country. On the 13th of June is wrecked at Stony Islands in the Fraser River and loses his botanical notes and journal. He returns broken in strength and spirit. Coming back via Thompson's River and Okanogan he tarries for a time at Walla Walla. Made occasional journeys with Mr. Pambrun to the Blue Mountains. Attempted the ascent of Mount Hood.
Soon starts for the Sandwich Islands with the intention of proceeding from there to England. He makes ascent of Mount Roa and on July 12, 1834, is found dead in a pit dug as a trap for wild cattle on the islands.