November 11.--Returned to Seattle by way of Tacoma, where I met Mr. Peter Kirke, the partner and agent of the Moss Bay Company, who is preparing to erect a steel plant; but whether he intended to build at Salal Prairie or at Cle-ellum, I could not ascertain. In fact, I am not sure that he had then determined in his own mind. November 12.--Excursions around Seattle, especially around the borders of the lakes. November 13.--The first Sunday I have been able to observe like a Christian. November 14 and 15.--Collecting information and constructing maps. November 16.--Out on the line of the S. L. S. & E. Railway eighteen miles. [Sidenote: Kirke's Coal Mines.] November 17.--To Kirke's Coal Mines on Green River. By rail as far as the Franklin Coal Mines, passing the Renton, Cedar Mountain and Black Diamond mines. At Franklin Mines, took horses to the Green River Mines, seven miles, where we spent the night at Mr. Kirke's camp. November 18.--Last evening and to-day, examined all the openings on Mr. Kirke's property, and one opening on Section 34, Sugar-Loaf Mountain, owned by Mr. Whitworth and others; and took the Northern Pacific Railroad cars at the Common Point, and got back to Seattle the same night. November 19.--In Seattle working on maps. November 20.--Sunday. November 21.--Remained in Seattle. November 22.--Went to Portland, Oregon. I will here say that Mr. F. H. Whitworth accompanied me on all my trips away from Seattle, and superintended the construction of my large maps, which were made in his own office. I found him a most obliging gentleman, and exceedingly well informed about the country. He was untiring also in collecting for me such information as he did not already possess. Judge Burke, Mr. Leary, Mr. Mackintosh, Governor Squire, Judge Lewis, Dr. Minor (the Mayor), etc., were exceedingly attentive, Judge Burke especially so. Other citizens, such as Chancellor Jones, ex-Governor Ferry, Mr. Arthur A. Denny (the oldest citizen on Puget Sound), Mr. F. M. Guye, Dr. Cumming, Mr. Haller, etc., were cordial, and ready to do me any service. Indeed, the citizens of Seattle, so far as I became acquainted with them, showed themselves in enthusiastic sympathy with the new railroad enterprise. [Sidenote: Portland.] November 23.--Spent the day in visiting the Oswego Iron Works, six miles from Portland, in company with Mr. S. G. Reed, president of the Oregon Iron and Steel Company. The only point of special interest connected with these unfinished iron-works, is that Mr. Reed is looking forward impatiently to the progress of the S. L. S. & E. road, expecting to receive from it magnetic ore for mixture, also limestone and coke. November 24.--Ascended the Columbia River by steamer, with six miles of portage, to the Dalles, where I took the Northern Pacific train for Spokane Falls, having daylight from Pasco Junction.