COX, Ross (1793-1853). Adventures on the Columbia River, including the narrative of 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. London: Henry Colburn & Richard Bentley, 1831. 2 volumes, octavo. (8 7/8 x 5 1/2 inches). Half-titles. 1 wood-engraved illustration on p.83 in vol.II (a sketch map of the junction of the Columbia and Okanogan Rivers.) (Crudely repaired 6 1/2 inch tear in vol.I, pp.287/288; upper outer blank corner of final leaf in vol.I torn away; 1 1/2 inch tear to vol.II; pp.133/134 in vol.II in photocopied facsimile; occasional small marginal tears, old light creasing and slight spotting in both volumes). Modern light brown speckled half sheep over marbled paper-covered boards, two red morocco lettering-pieces to each spine.

First edition of one of the two most important sources of information about Oregon in the early period.

This work, along with Alexander Ross's Adventures of the First Settlers on the Oregon or Columbia River (London: 1849), are generally considered to be the prime printed sources of information on the exploration and settlement of Oregon. Cox left Hawaii and arrived in Oregon with the Astoria party in 1812, later working for the Northwest Company. In 1817 he went overland to Montreal. Cox's narrative gives an excellent firsthand account of the fur trade and of the Indian tribes in Montana, Idaho, and eastern Washington with whom the fur traders dealt and sometimes fought. While Cox was making this journey the tension between Hudson's Bay and Northwest Companies had become very acute and he gives a good account of their rivalry (Streeter).

Cowan, p.59; Field 376; Forbes II, 775; Hill (2004) 390; Howes c822, aa.; Judd 47; Peel 83; Pilling, Proof-sheets 915; Sabin 17267; Streeter sale 3702; Tweney 89, 10; Wagner-Camp 43:1.