Folio (ca. 31 x 20 cm or 12 ¼ x 7 ¾ in). 2.5 pp. Brown ink on creamy lined laid paper (bifolium). Docketed on verso of second leaf, “Inter Revenue Agreement” stamp on recto of first leaf. Fold marks, otherwise a very good letter.

An original manuscript bond between a “Col Kingsly” and “William McNamee,” regarding a pack train between Oregon and Idaho, most likely along the Oregon Trail. Kingsly appears to have sold a pack train consisting of horses and mules to McNamee and Stuart for “3200 dollars in gold coin which may be paid in freights at Current rates” between Umatilla or Dalles City, Oregon and Idaho City, Idaho over the course of the “packing season” of 1865. The agreement also includes sections on making as many trips as possible, however, if the season “does not admit” more than three trips and the sum still not paid in full, the repayment time will extend to the next season.

The Oregon Trail was first laid by fur trappers in the early 19th century. As western migration increased in the mid-19th century, so did use of the trail, peaking between 1846 and 1869. However, use declined in the late 19th century with the establishment of the first transcontinental railroad in the United States in 1869.

Umatilla, Oregon, was incorporated in 1864. The pack train described in the bond was likely among the first of the town’s history.

Overall, an interesting original source on the history of the use of the Oregon Trail in the mid-19th century.

Excerpts from the manuscript:
“This agreement made and entered into between Col. Kingsly of the first part and William McNamee <…> The said party of the first part agrees to sell <…> unto the said party of the second this pack train consisting of [blank] mules and [blank] horses all branded thus [brand design] on the left side of the neck and is the same train run by White Elliott last season and […?] at the mouth of Butte Creek on the ranch of [blank] and in Umatilla Town 5 Oregon together all the [off…?] pack saddles Kitchen ropes and rigging and [appretenances?] of the said train also one waggon and harnesses for four mules all being used with the train last season. For and in consideration of the sum of Three Thousand and Two Hundred 3200 dollars in gold coin which may be paid in freights at Current rates from Umatilla or Dalles to Idahoe [sic] City. And the said party of the second part promise and agree to pay the sum of $3200 as above specified on or before the first day of [December?] AD 1865 and agree to carry freights for the said party of the first part from Umatilla or Dalles City to Idahoe [sic] City at the current rate of freight from those places respectively and further agree to make as many trips as possible during the packing season of 1865 <…>

“Should the said packing season not admit of the said second party making more than three trips and the said sum not yet all paid the time of payment for the balance shall be extended to the next season.”