Douglas to S. N. Castle of Honolulu; but no mention of help is made in the Hawaiian journals. The brig Henry, which left the Columbia River about the middle of March, did not reach San Francisco until the 12th of April, whence she sailed for Mazatlan with government stores required by the troops in Mexico. In the mean time the United States transport Anita, S. E. Woodworth commanding, with the military commander of the northern district of California, Major J. A. Hardie, on board, paid a visit to the Columbia River for the purpose of raising recruits for the army in Mexico,[1] an errand which proved fruitless for obvious reasons.[2]
So slow were the means of communication that the letters of Governor Abernethy were not received until June,[3] nor were the munitions of war asked for sent to the Columbia River until the return of the Henry on the 9th of August, when the volunteers were disbanded.[4] So far as the conduct of the war was concerned, the delay was rather fortunate than otherwise. Had there been ample means at hand when the fighting spirit was at its height, a general and bloody conflict would have been the result. Both volunteers and Indians being short of ammunition, caution on each side became a necessity, and averted the spilling of much blood.
The United States Indian agent for Oregon, Charles E. Pickett, who was in California when the first in-
- ↑ S. F. Californian, March 1, 1848; Murray's Nar., MS., 210; Polynesian, v. 2.
- ↑ The Anita arrived in the Columbia March 16th, 15 days from San Francisco. She departed April 22d and arrived at San Francisco April 27th. Or. Spectator, March 23 and May 4, 1848; Honolulu Friend, July 1848.
- ↑ I cannot account for this delay except by supposing that the Henry proceeded directly to Mazatlan, without touching at Monterey. She was 9 days in San Francisco Bay, and it seems unaccountable that in such an emergency the despatches should not have been forwarded at once.
- ↑ Major Hardie forwarded 100 rides, with 25,000 rifle-cartridges, and 200 pounds of rifle-powder; 2 6-pounder iron guns and carriages, and ammunition for the same. Lieutenant E. O. C. Ord of the Third Artillery forwarded one 6-pounder brass gun, with 210 strapped shot (fixed), 70 canister shot, 28 spherical shot, and other artillery service; 500 muskets with their fixtures and 50,000 ball, with a large amount of ammunition. The invoices were dated June 27th and July 10th respectively. Or. Spectator, Sept. 7, 1848.
