Page:Oregon Historical Quarterly volume 13.djvu/187

SLACUM'S REPORT ON OREGON, 1836-7 179 B,) and which contains a full and true account of all that transpired during his presence in the Columbia river and its tributaries. It ? together with the maps and charts which are herewith presented, and which make a part of the said memoir, comprises the result of your memorialist's laborious and peril- ous mission. Having made this narrative of his operations, your memor- ialist begs leave to submit the following considerations to your notice, : 1st. This undertaking was not in the tenor of his official duties. He was charged with its performance by the Presi- dent's direction, through the Department of State. 2d. Although "the necessary and reasonable expenses" at- tending this mission were promised to be paid by the Govern- ment, your memorialist regrets to state, that engagement has not been entirely fulfilled. In the settlement of his accounts at the proper department, considerable deductions have been made, and refused to be allowed, from the amount of actual expenses paid by your memorialist, and which he humbly thinks ought to be allowed and repaid to him. (See papers marked C, and letters Nos. 6 and 7.) 3d. Your memorialist has not submitted any account against the Government for the expenses of preparing for the land journey to the Columbia river. He has exhibited no account for the freight, insurance, or interest of the moneys devoted by him to the public service; nor has he charged the United States with the money which he thought it prudent and politic to expend in presents to the natives, and others whom he visited. (Paper marked D contains the probable amount of these expenses.) All the above-mentioned charges and expenses, which were incurred and paid by your memorialist for the benefit solely of his Government, he has not presented against it, because he had reasonably expected that the President, in consideration of the services he had rendered, would have made him a suit- able compensation.