Affidavit of John McLeod.
I, John McLeod, of Pierce County, Washington Territory, do solemnly declare upon oath that I am a naturalized citizen of the United States, of the age of fifty-six years, and was born in Lewes Island, North of Scotland. I arrived in this Territory, then Oregon, in the service of the Hudson’s Bay Company, in the Fall *of 1838, at Fort Nisqually on Puget Sound, and immediately was put on board of the Company’s Steamer Beaver; Captain McNeil was then master. While I was on board, she was also commanded by Captain Brotchie and Captain Duncan. My duty was that of Stoker. Up to 1842, when Fort Victoria was established on Vancouver’s Island, she made two trips up North from Fort Nisqually annually, in collecting furs. I continued on board until the spring of 1844, (April, I think,) since which time I have lived in Pierce County, near Fort Nisqually. I know San Juan Island, and the channel between it and Vancouver’s Island. I made in the Steamer Beaver, after 1842, and till I was discharged, at least two trips to the North each year, that is to say in 1842 and 1843. While building the Fort at Victoria till the buildings were well up, we staid in the harbor as a Guard against the Indians, and while thus delayed the Beaver towed the Schooner Cadboro, two or three times to the mouth of Fraser’s River. In all her trips North from Fort Victoria to Fort Simpson, and back, and in towing the Cadboro to Fraser’s River, we always went through the channel between Vancouver’s Island and San Juan Island. After 1842 the Steamer Beaver only came to Fort Nisqually on particular business. Her regular trips twice a year were made between Fort Victoria, on the Island of Vancouver, and the trading-posts north of the Gulf of Georgia. I can remember at least eight or nine trips through the channel between Vancouver’s Island and San Juan Island, while I was engaged as Stoker on the Steamer Beaver.[90]Canal de Haro regularly navigated by vessels of Hudson’s Bay Company since 1842.
JOHN + Mc LEOD.
Mark.
[seal.]