42 Fred Wilbur Powell, A. M.
settlement; and a true copy of the same shall be deposited in the archives of the government of the United States of Amer- ica." In the four pages of this pamphlet there is nothing of interest that was not included in the General Circular except a facsimile of a share of "Oregcm. Settlement Stock." This "stock" was really a short term bond, secured by a pledge of the common property of the Society. It was to bear interest at the rate of six per cent after May 1, 1832, and the principal was to be payable in either five or ten years, at the option of the holder. The right to 160 acres of farming land on the Columbia was to be given to the holder of each "share," or bond, as a bonus.
Kelley took care that his pamphlets should be put into the hands of men of influence at Washington. He sent copies of both the Geographical Sketch and the General Circular to the heads of departments and to members of congress. A seccmd edition of the Geographical Sketch appeared in 1831, with the General Circular as an appendix. Scattered about the country were agents of the Society, thirty-seven in number, whose duty it was to distribute literature, give information, and enroll members. Some of these agents were booksellers, how- ever, who obviously had only a qualified interest in the pro- posed expedition. Two names are significant. One is James M. Bradford of St. Francisville, Louisiana, leader of the pro- posed New Orleans company of 1828 ; the other is Nathaniel Jarvis Wyeth of Cambridge, Massachusetts, of whom more will be said in the chapters that follow.^
as SetfUmtnt cf Oregon, 77-8.
