236 DR. McLouGHLiN TO SIMPSON
field which had been here ten months and as the Diamond ar- rived when the Columbia was ready for sea, I nevertheless detained the latter to send by her as much of the Diamond's cargo consigned to the Russians as we could by the Columbia, and Gov. Etoline not knowing my reasons for the delay, of course complains and which I merely mention to account for the reason of the delay and which you see could not be pre- vented on our part and the detention of the grain merely arose from a desire to serve them, and you may depend as hitherto that we will do everything we can to satisfy them and fulfil our contract and I have great pleasure in stating that we have found them accommodating and desirous to meet our views.
47. Gov. Etoline would not undertake to build us a lighter, but proposed to sell us the hull of a schooner for 300 and if we did not wish to purchase it he very obligingly offered to send it to us till our own lighter was built but as we did not require it, I declined with thanks accepting Gov. Etoline's very kind offer.
48. The plan of operation for our shipping this summer is to keep the steamer on the coast till October when she will return here.
49. The Cadboro on her return from Sitika is to proceed to Langley for a cargo of salmon and come here. She will then, according to circumstances be sent to Langley with the outfit, or to St. Francisco.
50. As to the Columbia and Cowlitz, it is impossible to say how they will be employed until I receive instructions, but it is evident they will both have to proceed to the N. W. Coast with the grain for the Russians and the supply for our trade. It is probable the Columbia will proceed to London with the returns.
51. On the 4th inst. a meeting of the settlers was called in the Wallamatte to petition the U. States Congress to ex- tend their jurisdiction over this country. The Canadians were invited to attend and did so, and being the majority (as a great
