Farming on a small scale had been attempted here by my predecessor, and the result was such as to induce more extensive operations.  I received orders, therefore, to clear land, sow and plant, forthwith.  These orders were in part carried into effect in the autumn.  Four acres of land were put in a condition to receive seed, and about the same quantity at Fort Alexandria.  Seed was ordered from the Columbia, and handmills to grind our grain.  Pancakes and hot rolls were thenceforward to be the order of the day; Babine salmon and dog’s flesh were to be sent—­“to Coventry!” The spring, however, brought with it but poor prospects for pancakes; the season was late beyond all precedent; the fields were not sown until the 5th of May; they, nevertheless, promised well for some time, but cold weather ensued, and continued so long that the crops could not recover before the autumn frosts set in, and thus our hopes were blasted.  The farm at Alexandria had not much better success, owing to the neglect of the good people themselves;—­not having enclosed their fields, the cattle destroyed the greater part of the crops.  Here, however, notwithstanding the failure of our grain crops, we had abundance of vegetables and a large stock of cattle, so that our fare was far superior to that of the other exiles in the district.

Mr. Ogden returned from Fort Vancouver about the usual time, and was mortified to find that our grand agricultural experiment had so completely failed.  He, however, had brought a supply of flour sufficient to afford each commander of posts a couple of bags, and thus the inconvenience arising from our disappointment was, in some degree, obviated.

From his first arrival amongst us, Mr. Ogden evinced the most earnest desire to ameliorate the condition of his subordinates in this wretched district, and all felt grateful to him for his benevolent intentions.  To Mr. Dease, however, the praise is due of having introduced this new order of things:  he it was who first introduced cattle from Fort Vancouver; it was he who first introduced farming, and recommended it to others.

Late in autumn, the natives being all about the post, the dread influenza, that had made such fearful havoc among the Indians in other quarters, broke out here also.  The poor creatures had a great deal of confidence in my medical skill, from the circumstance of my having saved the life of a boy who had eaten some poisonous root, when despaired of by their own mountebanks.

On the present occasion I tried my skill on one of the subjects best able to bear my experiments, by administering a strong emetic and purge, and causing him afterwards to drink a decoction of mint.  He was cured, and I afterwards prescribed the same medicine to many others with a like success; so that my reputation as a disciple of AEsculapius became firmly established.

Having last year applied to the Governor for permission to visit head-quarters, for a purpose which will be noticed hereafter, I received a favourable answer, and, in the month of February, set off for the depot of the district preparatory to my departure, where I remained for a month in company with Mr. Ogden and several fellow-scribes.