230 DR. MCLOUGHLIN TO SIMPSON
Douglas and afforded religious instructions to many of the Company's people who have been for a long time deprived of it, and which for my part I consider it a duty to afford them if possible, and it is certainly to the interests of the Company to do so as it tends to render the servants more honest and faithful. As to the Rev. Mr. Desmet of the order of Jesuits, he has been treated precisely as the other missionaries from the United States. He has had supplies from us on paying for them in the same way as the Methodist Mission in our vicinity and the Presbyterians at Walla Walla and Colville. The Jesuit are at the Flathead and Coeur d'Alene Lake.
23. I informed you in mine of 20th March, 1843, that part of the immigrants who came from the States with Mr. Hastings were preparing to leave this for California. About forty of them left this in May but meeting with Mr. Lease with a party of their countrymen and hearing that they could get no lands in California some returned to this place, but the main body proceeded to Saint Francisco where I understand they have got lands along side of Captain Sutter.
24. This fall a large emigration came from the States, some say a thousand persons, but I believe they are not so many. Eight or ten Jesuit priests and lay brothers came up with them from St. Louis, Missisoure and proceeded to join their brethern in the Flat Head country, but some are coming down here this spring, perhaps to settle in this vicinity. I am informed that Father Desmet is gone to Europe to endeavour to make an arrangement with the Hudson's Bay Company to get his sup- plies for his mission.
25. As I already stated Chief Factor Douglas proceeded to the coast, took the people and property from Fort Durham and Ft. McLoughlin which according to your directions are abandoned and began an establishment at the place he selected on the south end of Vancouver Island which according to your instructions has been named Fort Victoria, and placed it under the charge of Chief Trader Ross. It has a fine harbour, quite accessible and by last accounts everything was going on well
