The Columbia River, Or, Scenes And Adventures During A Residence Of Six Years On The Western Side Of The Rocky Mountains, Among Various Tribes Of Indians Hitherto Unknown : Together With A Journey Across The American Continent

ROSS COX

Publication: Henry Colburn & Richard Bentley, 1832, London

Second Edition. Two Volumes. Quarter Leather with Decorative Boards. xx, 333 pp. and vi, 350 pp., all page edges are marbled, preface. Introduction, appendix, one small map (Volume II, p. 72).

An important primary source for the history of the Pacific Northwest during the early nineteenth century with detailed descriptions of its geography, trading posts, and of the daily life of fur traders. A significant portion of the book focuses on Cox's interactions with numerous Indigenous nations. He records their customs, languages, trade practices, ceremonies, and political relationships as he observed them.

"One of the most important sources of information about Oregon in the early period, along with Alexander Ross', ADVENTURES OF THE FIRST SETTLERS ON THE OREGON OR COLUMBIA RIVER (London, 1849). These two works are generally considered to be the prime printed sources of information on the exploration and settlement of Oregon."-Bill Reese. As a member of the Astoria venture, "Cox arrived in Oregon on May 9, 1812, having sailed on board the Beaver from the Sandwich Islands. When the Astoria operation was sold to the North West Company, he joined the latter organization where he remained for five years. On April 16, 1817, he left for Montreal in a party of eighty-six persons. The party ascended the Columbia, crossed the Rockies to the Athabasca River and Rocky Mountain House. Cox met Peter Skene Ogden at Fort Ile de la Crosse and eventually arrived at Fort William on August 14, by way of Cumberland House and the Winnipeg River. His book describes the rivalry between the Hudson's Bay Company and the North West Company as well as the Indian tribes along the Columbia."--Wagner-Camp-Becker 43:1 "Cox's narrative gives an excellent firsthand account of the fur trade and the Indian tribes in Montana, Idaho, and eastern Washington with whom the fur traders dealt and sometimes fought."-Streeter Sale 3702.

Both volumes have the inked number "76" on the front pastedown sheet, very lightly rubbed with some very light edgewear. to the leather spine ends and corners Text block is clean with some very light foxing scattered throughout both volumes. A beautifully bound set in exceptional condition.