DE MOFRAS EXPLORATION OF OREGON

Expense of erecting a fort 50,000 Arms, equipment and ammunition 17,690 Camp equipage __ 1,184 Transportation of troops to Chagres, thence by land to Panama, and again by sea to the Columbia river 25,000 Transportation of supplies, l>y sea, round Cape Horn, to the Columbia river 25,000 $224,467 If the troops and supplies are carried in Government vessels from Panama to the Columbia river, the expenses of transportation would be about $20,000 less. And if they are sent in transports from the United States, round Cape Horn, to the Columbia river, the whole expense of transportation would amount to about $43,000. After the first year, the annual cost of maintaining the post would be as follows : Pay of 355 men per annum $ 32,760 Clothing per annum 11,006 Pay and emoluments of 21 commission- ed officers per annum 19,987 Annual supply of ammunition 1,607 Contingencies, including the pay of overseer and laborers, and living, in lieu of $25,915 for subsistence 9,000 $74,360 To the Honorable Mr. Cushing, member of the Com- mittee of Foreign Affairs of the House of Representa- tives. 41 Independently of the letter of the Secretary of War, Mr. Cushing received another January 7th, from Mr. Paulding, Secretary of the Navy, to whom he had ad- dressed the same questions. Mr. Paulding also expressed the opinion that the best protection to give to the citizens of the United States in Oregon Territory would consist 41 Documents of the 25th Congress, No. 101 . Appendix K, p. 22, Feb ruary 16, 1839. — de Mofras.