Page:Oregon Historical Quarterly vol. 26.djvu/330

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270
George Thornton Emmons

the most prominent one in this portion of the country. My levels however from either end of this base only differed 10" & being obliged to depend upon the correctness of my eye for a level, concluded that I might as well depend upon the general estimated distance (until I had an opportunity of measuring a longer base) which being 55 miles would make its altitude above Vancouver 13090 feet or if 60 miles as some suppose, it would be 14390 feet bearing pr. comp. N 88°40’ East.[1]

July 31, 1841.

Cloudy until 10 A. M . then clear and warm the remainder of the day, with light variable winds. Capt Varney took his departure for Fort George in the Brig Thos. Perkins, when Dr McL. furnished me a house on the bank of the river for my men to mess in, had various duties that kept the latter continually employed. Mr. Rodgers returned from the settlement having engaged the services of several Americans & obtained the promise that others would be ready, with the material required to complete our equipment as soon as we met at the appointed rendezvous in the Walhamet. Having this assurance, I was determined to leave here the earliest possible time, as the Indians were just commencing to burn the country, thereby interposing an obstacle that increased with my delay.

August 1, 1841.

Wind and weather the same. Being Sunday Episcopal and Catholic service was performed within the Fort, Mr. Douglas officiating in the former at his residence & Dr. McLaughlin in the latter at the Chapel. I was present at the former and witnessed a very respectable and general attendance, principally the Cos Officers and their families. The choir was led by a band of little boys & girls,

  1. The elevation of Mt. Hood is now charted as 11,225 feet, located about 55 miles east and 15 miles south of Fort Vancouver.