OTHER VESSELS OF WAR. 585

tending that river as far as possible ; but not being able to get the schooner over, was forced to return to Vancouver, while a party of the Jhark's officers pro- ceeded in a boat to Oregon City. 21

Howison arrived at Vancouver in time to partici- pate in the first formal horse-races on record, - which occurred on the 25th of July, and which, together with the advent of a United States war vessel, drew together an unusual number of people, and furnished. the American officers an opportunity to become acquainted with the prevailing state of feeling Every courtesy was extended to the commander of the bhark, which attentions were received as courteously as ren- dered ; but, as in the case of Wilkes, the independent American settler would have preferred that the U nited States officers should not have been thus placed under

obligations. , .

Howison's report is probably the best authority extant upon the condition of affairs in Oregon at this time He came as an observer, had good opportunities of hearing both sides of the question, and appears to have written fairly, and without prejudice ihere was no motive for him to conceal anything from the eyes of government. He affirms that he found pre- vailing an intense excitement on the boundary question among all classes ; and that he enjoined his officers in writing to refrain from arguments touching the owner- ship of the soil, but to allay instead of increase the excitement, while at the same time they were to sock all the information they could gather respecting the

OQ

country. ^ . , .

But it would have been impossible, under the cir- cumstances, to prevent the marines and sailors horn mixing with the people, and becoming inspired with

21 /{orison's Coast and Country, 1-3.

m Orenwi Svectcttor, Aug. 20, Oct. 1, 29, 1840.

to Paget Sound, to deposit naval store, and to fortify. Or. Spectator, Aug. 20, 1840.