"Some of them profess to be well acquainted with all the principal waters of the Columbia, with which they assured me these waters had no connection short of the ocean"

This quote by William Henry Ashley is describing the Native Americans he came across throughout his journeys in the Columbia River area. He is keeping in mind that some of the Native Americans he spoke to were well-informed about the different rivers in the location and also had the ability to inform him that the waters he was seeing had no link to the ocean. This suggests that the Native Americans had a deep understanding of the geography of the area as well as had the ability to give Ashley with beneficial info. It additionally suggests that the Native Americans had a long history of living in the location and also had established a strong relationship with the land. This quote is a testimony to the knowledge and competence of the Native Americans in the Columbia River area and their ability to supply beneficial details to those who sought it.