of the quartermaster's department of the Pacific division, to proceed to Oregon and make preparations for the establishment of posts in that territory. Taking passage on the United States transport Anita, Captain Ingalls arrived at Vancouver soon after Hathaway landed the art ill ey men and stores at that place. The Anita was followed by the Walpole with two years' supplies; but the vessel having been chartered for Astoria only, and the stores landed at that place, a difficulty arose as to the means of removing them to Vancouver, the transfer being accomplished at great labor and expense in small river craft. When the quatermaster began to look about for material and men to construct barracks for the troops already in the territory and those expected overland in the autumn, he found himself at a loss. Mechanics and laboring men were not to be found in Oregon, and Captain Ingalls employed soldiers, paying them a dollar a day extra to prepare timber from the woods and raft lumber from the fur-company's mill to build quarters. But even with the assistance of Chief Factor Ogden in procuring for him Indian labor, and placing at his disposal horses, bateaux, and sloops, at moderate charges, he was able to make but slow progress.[1] Of the buildings occupied by the artillery two belonged to the fur company, having received alterations to adapt them to the purposes of barracks and mess-rooms, while a few small tenements also owned by the company[2] were hired for offices and for servants of the quarter-master's department.
It was undoubtedly believed at this time by both
- ↑ Vinton, in 31st Cong., 2d Sess., S. Doc. 1, pt. ii. 263. Congress passed in September 1850 an act appropriating $325,854 to meet the unexpected outlay occasioned by the rise in prices of labor and army subsistence in California and Oregon, as well as extra pay demanded by military officers. See U. S. Acts and Res., 1850, 122–3.
- ↑ In the testimony taken in the settlement of the Hudson's Bay Company's claims, page 186, U. S. Ev., H. B. Co. Claims, Gray deposed that the U. S. troops did not occupy the buildings of the company but remained in camp until they had erected buildings for their own use. This is a misstatement, as the reports of the quarter-masters Vinton and Ingalls show, in 31st Cong., 2d Sess., S. Doc. 1., pt. ii. 123, 285.
