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EARLY DAYS ON THE WILLAMETTE 305 the arrival of McKenzie and his men. They were com- pelled to reduce the ration of each man to four ounces of flour and half a pound of dried fish per day, and it was even thought best to send some of the men to pass the rest of the winter with Wallace and Halsey on the Willamette, where game was plentiful. By this time Wallace and Halsey's party had spent some months on the Willamette, and had penetrated, according to Alex- ander Ross, "to the sources of that river, a distance of nearly 500 miles." Accordingly, this additional party, headed by John Reed 14 and Alfred Seton 15 started for the Willamette the latter part of January, 1813, to spend the rest of the winter. Reed and Seton returned to Astoria on the 20th of March, 1813, bringing with them a quantity of dried venison, and they described in glowing terms the wonders of the Willamette valley, and told of the abundance there of beaver, elk and deer. They also brought the news that Wallace and Halsey had built a dwelling and trading house on a great prairie, situated, according to Franchere, "about 150 miles above the mouth of the Willamette." 14 John Reed, clerk, Irishman, Overland Astorian, left St. Louis Oct 21, 1810, arrived Astoria January 18, 1812. Left Astoria March 30, 1812, with despatches for Astor. Was wounded in fight with the Indians, taken to Okanogan and returned to Astoria May 11, 1812. Led party to the Willamette latter part of January, 1813, and returned to Astoria March 20, 1813 . Brought the first news of the building of a post on the Wil- lamette by Wallace and Halsey. Went to Snake River in summer of 1813, and was there killed by the Indians sometime during that year. 15 Alfred Seton, clerk, sailed on the Beaver Oct. 10, 1811, arrived at Astoria May 10, 1812. With McKenzie to Snake River June 29 or 30, 1812. Returned to Astoria on January 15, 1813. Left for the Willamette latter part of January, 1813. Returned March 20, 1813, with news of the Wallace and Halsey Post. Left early in September, 1813, for the interior. Was on 'the Willamette with William Henry in January, 1814. Left on the Pedlar April 2, 1814. Captured by Spanish corvette "Santa Barbara" and was held prisoner for two months- Went to the Isthmus of Darien, where he was detained several months by sickness, finally reaching Carthagena. Reduced to poverty, he told his story to Capt Bentham of the British squadron who gave him a passage to Jamaica, from which place he managed to get to New York. Was in 1854 vice president of the Sun Mutual Insurance Co. He was the principal backer of Captain Bonneville's expedition. ft! „ygr