One year Later...Cowlitz and Nisqually

June 2 1842

John McLoughlin:

… we hope that so favourable a report may be given by those settled there as will induce others to follow: this will not only relieve the Red River Settlement of its surplus population, but strengthen the claims of Great Britian to the Territory, and the increase of the British population in that quarter must operate to the benefit of this Nation whenever a division of the country takes place.

McLoughlin, John. The Letters of John McLoughlin, From Fort Vancouver to the Governor and Committee: Second Series 1839-44. London: The Hudson's Bay Record Society, 1943. Pg 71n.

John McLoughlin, Courtesy of Project Gutenberg

Fort Vancouver, Day 134

Oct 13, 1841

John Flett:

When we reached the Cascades we found some boats on which the families, with some of the oldest men, sailed down the river, while the horses and cattle at Colville were driven to Vancouver, at which we all arrived on the 13th.

Here we met Sir George SIMPSON, P. OGDEN, John McLAUGHLIN, James DOUGLAS; and here Sir George informed us that the company could not keep its agreement. As I remember this was the substance of his speech; “Our agreement we cannot fulfill; we have neither horses, nor barns, nor fields for you, and you are at liberty to go where you please. You may go with the California trappers; we will give you a fitout as we give others. If you go over the river to the American side we will help you none very sickly. If you go to the Cowlitz we will help you some. To those who will go to the Nesqually we will fulfill our agreement.” Of course we were all surprised and hurt at this speech. After some discussion the party divided; Joseph CLINE went to California, Pierre La ROQUE, St. GERMAIN, BERNEY, Jacques, GENEAU, La BLANC and Antoine La ROQUE went to the Cowlitz. The rest came to Nesqually, where we arrived November 8th, 1841, having travelled nearly 2000 miles without the loss of a single person, while three children were born on the way.



York Boat with Sails

Flett, John. "Interesting Local History: A Sketch of the Emigration from Selkirk's Settlement to Puget Sound in 1841." Tacoma Daily Ledger, February 1885.

James Sinclair, BC Archives

The Dalles, Day 129

4 Oct, 1841.



John Flett:

We crossed the lake where it is about one mile in width.
Here our first horse was stolen, while we were engaged in crossing. Here, also Joseph CLINE, in company with an Indian, went to Fort Colville for provisions. He rejoined the party at old Fort Spokane, bringing some mouldy flour, some bran and some dried peas. Here we left two families, who on account of sickness were unable to proceed further.


Flett, John. "Interesting Local History: A Sketch of the Emigration from Selkirk's Settlement to Puget Sound in 1841." Tacoma Daily Ledger, February 1885.

James Sinclair, BC Archives

Fort Walla Walla, Day 125

Oct 1, 1841

John Flett:


We arrived at Fort Walla Walla on the 4th of October. On the next day the fort was burned. Our party assisted the men of the fort to save their good. The Indians were so numerous that it was not deemed safe to camp there, but we traveled down the Columbia until midnight.

Flett, John. "Interesting Local History: A Sketch of the Emigration from Selkirk's Settlement to Puget Sound in 1841." Tacoma Daily Ledger, February 1885.

James Sinclair, BC Archives

Lake Pend D’Orielle

Sometime between Aug 5 and Oct 4, 1841

John Flett:

On the ninth day after we entered the Rocky mountains we emerged on the western side,
at the Kootenai plain, then through a belt of timber, and then over the Tobacco prairie. To avoid some marshy land which lay in our course we climbed the projecting point of a high mountain, said to be one of the Bitter Root range. Then our route lay through a flat, marshy country until we came to a deep, sluggish river, called by the Indians Paddling river. Then our course lay to the southwest, through a rich country with plenty of grass, until we came to Lake Pend d'Oreille. While traveling along a rocky cliff jutting towards the lake a horse, ridden by one of our women, slipped and horse and rider rolled into the lake, and were rescued with some difficulty.

Flett, John. "Interesting Local History: A Sketch of the Emigration from Selkirk's Settlement to Puget Sound in 1841." Tacoma Daily Ledger, February 1885.

James Sinclair, BC Archives

Whiteman Creek/ Bow River, Day 65

Aug 5, 1841

George Simpson:

The prarie had perhaps been selected by our correspondent as his post office from its being the place, at which the only two routes, by which we could have crossed the height of Land in this part of the country, happened to converge. The emigrants having been trecherously deserted, at Bow Biver, by their Guide, a half brees of some education [James SInclair] providemtially met an indian of the name of Bras Croche, who, being better aquainted with the mountains than Peechee[the Guide who took Simpson over the moutains], carried them through a little to the southward by a pass infinitely superior to ours; and the fell upon our track again near our present encampment.

Simpson, George. A Narrative of a Journey Around the World: During the Years 1841 and 1842. 2 vols. Philidelphia: Lea and Blanchard, 1847. Pg 81-82.

John Flett:

Crossing the South branch we entered the timber, sometimes following an Indian trail and sometimes with no trail made. On the second day after we entered the mountains James BIRD, our guide, bidding adieu to his friends and relatives, started on his return. Sir George SIMPSON’s assertion that he deserted us is a mistake. On the 5th of August we reached the summit, and found ourselves on a small plateau. Here we saw a huge snow-drift (August 5th) whose melted waters formed three little rills; one running east through a deep canyon, and finding its way through the Saskatchewan into Hudson’s bay; another running southeast into the Missouri, and at last in the gulf, while the third sent its waters through those continuous woods where rolls the Oregon.

Flett, John. "Interesting Local History: A Sketch of the Emigration from Selkirk's Settlement to Puget Sound in 1841." Tacoma Daily Ledger, February 1885.

James Sinclair, BC Archives

Fort McLeod (Rocky Mountain House), Day 64

Aug 4, 1841


John Flett:

We overtook our party encamped at old Fort McLeod, an abandoned post of the H. B. company, now known as British Pass, or Rocky Mountain. Here we were compelled to abandon our carts and pack our goods on the backs of the oxen and horses. After long debate about what should be taken and what should be left behind, we at last had our train in readiness and started on our way.
The oxen, however, were unused to this mode of traveling, and were frightened, and a stampede ensued. Then what a sight, oxen bellowing, kicking, running; horses neighing, rearing, plunging; children squalling; women crying; men swearing, shouting and laughing; while the air seemed full of blankets, kettles, sacks of pots, pans and jerked buffalo. At last the cattle were again secured, all our goods that could be found were gathered up and the remnant repacked and we again started.

Flett, John. "Interesting Local History: A Sketch of the Emigration from Selkirk's Settlement to Puget Sound in 1841." Tacoma Daily Ledger, February 1885.


James Sinclair, BC Archives

Fort Edmonton, Day 61

Aug 1-3, 1841



George Simpson:

I leave three of my people here to assist in getting the boats up from Fort Assiniboine in the Mountains, and it will be necessary that six or seven of your people should be separated from your party , as with the three men left by me to bring the boats back to Fort Assiniboine in time to transport the Columbians going from York Factory who may be expected by the latter end of August. It is of the utmost importance that every expedition should be used to get your people up to Jaspers house in order that the boats may be available in time for Mr. Mason and his party. Your blacksmiths should be set to work in nail-making immediately upon their arrival here, and they remain a day or two after their families take their departure from For Assiniboine so as to complete their work as they get to the Athabasca River, and are immediately on landing at Jasper’s House, Bernier, Spence, and any other handy men you may have should be dispatched with all Expedition to the Boat Encampment to prepare wood and build Boats by the time they reach the Boat Encampment.

Lent, D. Geneva. West Of the Mountains: James Sinclair and the Hudson's Bay Company. Seattle: University of Washington Press, 1963. Pg 130.


George Simpson, Courtesy of The Ontario Archives

Fort Pitt, Day 44

14 Jul, 1841.

George Sinpson:

Since we had fallen on the trail of the emigrants, we could observe, by the number if their encampments, that we were marching at three of four times their pace; so that, though they had started twenty-eight days before us, they were overtaken by us next morning after we had been out exactly sixteen in all. From the information of Indians we were looking out for these people; and accordingly, about two hours after winding its course over the plains. These emigrants consisted of Agriculturists and others, principally natives of the Red River Settlement. There were twenty-three families, the heads being generally young and active, though a few of them were advanced in life, more particularly one poor woman, upwards of seventy five years of age, who was tottering after her son to his new home. This venerable wanderer was a native of the Saskatchewan, of which, in fact, she bore the name. She had been absent from this, the land of her birth , for eighteen years; and on catching the first glimpse of the river from the hill near Carlton, she burst, under the influence of old Recollections, into a violent flood of tears. During the two days that the party spent at the fort, she scarcely ever left the bank of the stream, appearing to regard it with as much veneration as the Hindoo [Sic.] regards the Ganges.

As a contrast to the superannuated daughter of the Saskatchewan, the band contained several very young travelers, who had, in fact, made their appearance in this world since the commencement of the journey. Beyond the inevitable detention which seldom exceeded a few hours, these interesting events had never interfered with the progress of the brigade; and both mother and child used to jog on, as if jogging on were the condition of human existence. Each family had two or three carts, together with bands of horses, cattle and dogs, the men and Lads travelled in the saddle, while the vehicles, which were covered with awnings against the sun and rain, carried the women and young children. As they marched in single file their cavalcade extended above a mile in length; and we increased the length of the column by marching in company. The emigrants were all healthy and happy, living in the greatest abundance, and enjoying the journey with the highest relish.

Simpson, George. A Narrative of a Journey Around the World: During the Years 1841 and 1842. 2 vols. Philidelphia: Lea and Blanchard, 1847. Pg 62.

Sir. George Simpson, Courtesy of The Ontario Achives

Fort Pitt, Day 40

10 Jul, 1841

John Flett:

When a crossing was at last effected [Sic.], we passed on through open country until we arrived, on the 28th of June, at Fort Charlton, on the banks of the great Saskatchewan. We secured some horses and replenished our stock of provisions, and on the 30th resumed our journey. Dangers were now thickening around us.


Flett, John. "Interesting Local History: A Sketch of the Emigration from Selkirk's Settlement to Puget Sound in 1841." Tacoma Daily Ledger, February 1885.


James Sinclair, Courtesy of the BC Archives

Fort Carlton, Day 27

John Flett:

When a crossing was at last effected, we passed on through open country until we arrived, on the 28th of June, at Fort Charlton, on the banks of the great Saskatchewan. We secured some horses and replenished our stock of provisions, and on the 30th resumed our journey. Dangers were now thickening around us.



Flett, John. "Interesting Local History: A Sketch of the Emigration from Selkirk's Settlement to Puget Sound in 1841." Tacoma Daily Ledger, February 1885.


James Sinclair, Courtesy of the BC Archives

The South Saskatchewan River

Late June, 1841.

John Flett:

We reached the south branch a few miles above where it joins the Saskatchewan. The crossing was a difficult and dangerous work. The river was about a mile in width. A portion of the party passed safely to a small island, in a small boat. The other portion, putting their carts and effects on a huge raft of dry logs, attempted to pole their raft across. The current was very swift, and they soon lost bottom and drifted down at a fearful rate toward the rapids, a short distance below. As they passed by the island on which the first party had landed, they passed so near that a rope was thrown to them, and, after a long struggle, the raft was secured to the bank. When a crossing was at last effected [Sic.], we passed on through open country.

Flett, John. "Interesting Local History: A Sketch of the Emigration from Selkirk's Settlement to Puget Sound in 1841." Tacoma Daily Ledger, February 1885.




Janes Sinclair, Courtesy of the BC Archives

Swan River

Late June, 1941

George Simpson::
Next morning we continued to follow the track of the emigrants, which led us over a great deal of burnt ground, -- a variety of surface, which, when it extends to more than the length of a single march, is the most embarrassing of all the obstacles to which a horseman can be exposed. Men may triumph over physical privations through moral influences; but horses, as Murat said, have no patriotism.


Simpson, George. A Narrative of a Journey Around the World: During the Years 1841 and 1842. 2 vols. Philidelphia: Lea and Blanchard, 1847. Pg. 57.








Sir. George Simpson, Courtesy of the Ontario Archives

Assinboine River and Fort Pelly

Late June, 1941

John Flett:

Our route lay along the north bank of the Assiniboine. We crossed the Mouse and Qu’Appelle rivers, and then turning north past Fort Pelly we started for the Saskatchewan. On this vast plain we met our first buffalo, immense herds being seen feeding on the rich grasses of the valley. Here Mr. James BIRD overtook us and became our guide. In this region we also met Dr. TOLME and his party from the Columbia, and were passed by Sir George SIMPSON, on his tour around the world. In this section of the country the land seemed excellent, although timber was very scarce.


Flett, John. "Interesting Local History: A Sketch of the Emigration from Selkirk's Settlement to Puget Sound in 1841." Tacoma Daily Ledger, February 1885.

















James Sinclair, Courtesy of the BC Archives

Fort Ellice, Day 21

22 June 1841


George Simpson:

About noon we arrived at Fort Ellice, remaining there three of four hours. At this post, commonly known as Beaver Creek, from the name of the brook on which it stands, we obtained tidings of a large body of emigrants, who had left Red River for the Columbia a few days previously to our arrival from Montreal. They had reached Fort Ellice on the twenty-second of June, and started again the next day. As these people were pursuing the same route as ourselves, and would beat a good track, we resolved, as far as practicable, to follow their trail.

Simpson, George. A Narrative of a Journey Around the World: During the Years 1841 and 1842. 2 vols. Philidelphia: Lea and Blanchard, 1847. Pg. 51.










Sir George Simpson, Archives of Ontario

White Horse Plains Day 2 and 3

June 5 and 6 1841


John Flett:

To this agreement twenty-three heads of families appended their names as follows: Henry BUXTON, H. O. CALDRON, English; A. SPENCE, John SPENCE, John TATE, James BERSTON, William FLETT, James FLETT, John FLETT, David FLETT, Alexander BERSTON, Orkney; John CONINGHAM, Irish; Joseph CLINE, German; Baptiste La ROQUE, half-breed; Charles McKAY, Scotch; Pierre La ROQUE, Pierre St. GERMAIN, M. BERNEY, Francis JAQUES, Joseph GENEAU, Joseph YELL, Antoine La BLANC, Canadians. William BOLDRO, John JOHNSON, John HUDSON, all English, joined the first party soon after on the same terms. White Horse plain, about fifteen miles west of Fort Garry, at the junction of the Red and Assiniboine rivers was appointed as the rendezvous, and on the fourth of June, 1841, twenty-three families, containing eighty persons all told, were assembled, with about fifty carts, seven oxen, two cows and sixty horses. On the morning of the fifth of June we broke camp, and turning our backs to the rising sun, plunged into the wilderness.


Flett, John. "Interesting Local History: A Sketch of the Emigration from Selkirk's Settlement to Puget Sound in 1841." Tacoma Daily Ledger, February 1885.







James Sinclair, Courtesy of the BC Archives