up the Columbia. I am also under obligations to him for much interesting information respecting this country, which he gave without hesitation or reserve. He was anxious that Mr. Drayton should accompany him to Okonagan ; but as this route had just been traversed by another party, it would have been a waste of the short time he had to spend about Walla- walta. Mr. Ogden is a general favorite ; and there is so much hilarity, and such a fund of amusement about him, that one is extremely fortunate to fall into his company."
On one of his trips from Fort St. James to Fort Vancouver he had the company of Father P. J. DeSmet (see his Letters and Sketches p. 217), who was en route to Europe and who wrote ; that he reached Colvile and "embarked on this river on the 30th of May (1842) in one of the barges of the Hud- son's Bay Company. Mr. Ogden, one of the principal pro- prietors offered me a place in his. I shall never forget the kindness and friendly manner with which the gentleman treated me throughout the journey, nor the many agreeable hours I spent in his company. I found his conversation in- structive, his anecdotes and bon mots entertaining and timely ; and it was with great regret that I parted from him."
At the time of his final departure from New Caledonia a written testimonial was presented to him in behalf of the gentleman of the district, the original of which is among the family papers, and reads as follows :
Fort. Alexandria Westn Caled.
Sir, 26th, April 1844.
To Peter Skeen Ogden, Esquire
Chief Factor of the Honble.
Hudson's Bay Company.
I have been honored with a communication from the several Gentlemen recently under your command in Western Cale- donia, wherein I am requested to adopt measures for convey- ing to you the testimony of their respect and esteem, under a very substantial form. But since a certain latitude has been vouchsafed to me upon this point, and knowing well, as I believe, your private sentiments in connexion with it, I have thought proper, under all the circumstances, to deviate from the form prescribed, and to tender you in the present shape the expression of our united esteem and regard.
