The captain of the Beaver sounded the channel diligently for several days; but finding it scarcely deep enough for so large a vessel, he was unwilling to bring her up to Astoria.

It was necessary, in consequence, to use the schooner as a lighter in discharging the ship, and this tedious operation occupied us during the balance of this month and a part of June.
Captain Sowles and Mr.Clarke confirmed the report of the destruction of the Tonquin; they had learned it at Owhyhee, by means of a letter which a certain Captain Ebbetts, in the employ of Mr.Astor, had left there.
It was nevertheless resolved that Mr.Hunt should embark upon the "Beaver," to carry out the plan of an exact commercial survey of the coast, which Mr.M'Kay had been sent to accomplish, and in particular to visit for that purpose the Russian establishments at Chitka sound.
The necessary papers having been prepared anew, and being now ready to expedite, were confided to Mr.R.Stuart, who was to cross the continent in company with Messrs.

Crooks and R.M'Lellan, partners dissatisfied with the enterprise, and who had made up their minds to return to the United States.

Mr.Clark, accompanied by Messrs.

Pillet, Donald, M'Lellan, Farnham and Cox, was fitted out at the same time, with a considerable assortment of merchandise, to form a new establishment on the _Spokan_ or Clarke's river.