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^M^i.,.'. 
 
 IDth CONGRESS, 
 
 1st Skssion. 
 
 y*;v^T.T 
 
 •a 
 
 !«" 
 
 [Rep. 218.] 
 
 Ho. Of Rips* 
 
 NORTHWEST COAST OF AMERICA. 
 
 "^.rt 
 
 -t' '/,' Mat 15, 1826. - 
 
 , "." ■•■-Vf 
 
 Referred to the Committee of the Whole House, to which is committed the bill t© 
 authorize the establishment of a Mih'ary Post or Posts, within the Territory of the 
 Unhed States, on the Pacific Ocean, and to provide for the ezplorttttoa of its 
 Coasts and Waters. . - . 
 
 i TitI ir* - f - ' ■ 
 
 Mr. Baylies, from the Select Committee to which the suhject had 
 been referred, made the following 
 
 
 REPORT : 
 
 
 ■Jr^'A-' $;■ 
 
 
 The Committee to whom « so much of the Message of the President of 
 the United States as respects the establishment of a JiUitary Post at 
 the mouth of the Columbia river, and the expediency of providing for- 
 
 I the more 2f^^ff^<^t exploring of the Northwest Coast of Americm,*' 
 
 ^•was referred, report further : 
 
 That, since their former report was submitted, they have obtained 
 some interesting information respecting the geographical character of 
 the Territory of the United States on the Pacific Ocean. 
 
 This information was derived from siamuel Adams Ruddock, who^ 
 in the year 1821, performed a journey by land from the Council 
 Bluifs to the moMth of the Columbia river. 
 
 Ruddock was one of a trading party, which left the Council BlaflHi 
 after the I2th of May. The party were mounted on Indian horses* 
 Keeping near the Platte on its North bank, they reached the Paunee 
 Tillage on the l8th of May, and then pursuing a course due West 
 200 miles, they crossed the Platte immediately below its forks on the 
 fi6th of May ; and then keeping a course S. by W. 350 miles, reached 
 the ravines of the high mountains of New Mexico on the 6th of June, 
 tlirough which they passed, Und, after a further journey of 60 miles, ar« 
 rived at Santa Fee on the 8th. r—'ftf^ j^ 
 
 On the 9th of Jtine, this party crossed the Rio del Norte, iM, pifcr- 
 suing a Northwest direction on the North bank of the river Chamas, 
 and over the mountains, reached Lake Trinidad ; and then pursuing 
 the same direction across the upper branches of the Rio Colarado of 
 California, i-cached Lake Timpanagos, which is intersected by the 
 42d parallel of latitude, the boundary between the United States of 
 America, and the United States of Mexico. This lake is the principal 
 source of the river Timpanagos, the Multmmah of Lewie and Clark** 
 
 >i*:- 
 
 
 .■*'■* 
 
 
 
..^'■' 
 
 2 [Bep. No. 2<3.] 
 
 They then followed the course of this river to its junction with the 
 Columbia, and reached the mouth of the Columbia on the first day of 
 August, completing the journey from the Council Bluffs in seventy- 
 nine days.* 
 
 Many geographers have placed the Lake Timpanagos in latitude 
 40, but they have obviously confounded it with tlie Lalie Theguayo, 
 "which extends fi'om 39* 40', to 41% and from which it is separated by 
 a neck or peninsula ; tlic two lakes approaching in one direction as 
 near as 20 mile«i. 
 
 Ruddock denies the existence of the long river to which the name of 
 Mongcs has been assigned, and which makes such an imposing ap- 
 pearance on the recent maps : if it does not exist, the river Columbia 
 is the only one which flows into the Pacific Ocean from Cape Horn to 
 its mouth, (an extent of one hundred and four degrees of latitude,) 
 which possesses any commercial advantages. 
 
 The river Multnomah, the great Souti.ern tributary of the Colum- 
 bia, of which, heretofore, so little has been known, is represented as 
 navigable for any vessels which can enter the Columbia, for a dis- 
 tance of one hundred and fifty miles from its junction with the Colum- 
 bia, where it is obstructed by a ra])id. At the distance of about seven- 
 ty miles, it receives the Clatmus, a considerable river from the East, 
 and, at the distance of the eighty miles, it receives the Cailapoio, a large 
 river, which has its sources near the ocean, and South of latitude 42. 
 
 From its first rapid to the Lake Timpanagos, the distance is about 
 three hundred and twenty five miles, making the whole distance from 
 that source to the Columbia, four hundred and seventy-five miles. 
 Throughout the whole length it is represented as navigable for ves- 
 sels of eight feet draught at certain seasons of the year, no rapid, (and 
 there are several,) being worse than tlie rapid of the Ohio at Louis- 
 ville. 
 
 The other branches of the Multnomah or Timpanagos interlock 
 with the branches of Lewis's river. 
 
 The course of this river is very similar to the Tennessee, being 
 
 ue 
 
 ril 
 
 al 
 
 o| 
 
 isl 
 
 ♦ The distance from the City of Washingfton to St. Louis, in 
 Missouri, is - -- 
 
 From thence by the Mandan Villages to the mouth of the Co- 
 
 lurobia, 2,196 do. 
 
 The route travelled by Ruddock to St. Louis 
 From St. Louis to Santa Fee ... 
 From Santa Fee to the mouth of the Colombia 
 
 853 miles. 
 850 do. 
 1,260 do. 
 
 2 963 miles. 
 
 853 miles. 
 
 3,049 miles. 
 
 Any person, by inspecting the map, can easily perceive that a straight course 
 Vould shorten this distance several hundred miles, and there seems but little doubt 
 that, when the interior country shall become more known, that new and shorter 
 routes may be discovered, and advantages ascertained, of which, at present, we 
 have not any knowledge. 
 
•*fc 
 
 [Rep. IVo. 213.] 
 
 m'.'.. 
 
 nearly semicircular, and, according to Ruddock*'^ account, it waters a 
 ricli and deliglitful valley : the character of the lands on this river is 
 also represented as similar to the lands in Kentucky, Tennessee, and 
 Ohio, i)ro(lucinp; the same species of wood and timber, and the climats 
 is uncommonly mild. 
 
 The Committee have, also, with some care and attention, investi- 
 gated the nature and character of tiie right of sovereignty and domain 
 which appertains to the United States over the territory watered by 
 the Columbia river, and all other territory claimed by them on the 
 Pacific Ocean. 
 
 This inquiry has become more interesting since the publication of 
 the correspondence which has taken place between the American Mi- 
 nister at the Court of Great Britain, and the Biitish Commissioners. 
 
 Tlie question submitted lo the Committee was the expediency of 
 establishing a Military Post on the Columbia river, and of authoriz- 
 ing by law an examinatimi and survey of the Northwest Coast. They 
 did not deem it necessary to report on the title ; but inasmuch as the 
 President had recommended the measure, if the law passed, then the 
 location of the Post would be discretionary with him, and would be 
 detei-mined on his res|)onsibility ; and had it not been for the extraor- 
 dinary nature of the claim which has been set up, on the part of Great 
 Britain, to the territory in question — a claim, which may involve our 
 peaceable relations with that nation— they would have avoided the 
 question ; but it now becomes not only expedient, but necessary to lay 
 before tl»e American nation the ground of their title, and the extent ef 
 their rights. 
 
 The British Government have peremptorily denied that any right 
 exists on the |)ai*t of the United States to tiie territory in question, 
 and claim the whole. If the United States have no rights there, it is 
 time that legislation on this subject should cease. If they have rights, 
 it will be seen that the crisis has arrived when those rights must be 
 enforced, or abandoned. 
 
 For these reasons, the Committee trust that they will be excused 
 for laying before Congress a long, and they fear, somewhat tedious 
 nari'ative of the progress of discovery, occupation, and settlement of 
 all nations on the Northwest Coast, for the purpose of illustrating the 
 title of the United States. 
 
 Ferdinando Cortez, tiie Conqueror of Mexico, discovered Califor- 
 nia in 1526, which was the first discovery made on the Western coast 
 of North America by any civilized nation, and preceded the discovery 
 and conquest of Peru by Pizarro. He did not, however, penetrate 
 to the ocean. In the year 1540, Mendoza, then Viceroy of Mexico, 
 under the Crown of Spain,^ despatched an expedition by sea and land, 
 under the command of Coronado, for the purpose of exploring the 
 Western Coast of North America as far as 53 N. ; but the expedition 
 having peneti-ated as far as 36, returned. 
 
 In 1542, another expedition was sent out under Cabrillo, a Portu- 
 guese in the service of Spain, who saw land in 43 N., which he named 
 
 m. 
 
I i n i |i > n i 11 ^ 11 
 
 ■ ."^^f"" 
 
 I.V 
 
 fc^v- 
 
 •ifl 
 
 ("-' 
 
 
 I.' 
 
 ^ [Rep. No. 2i3.] 
 
 Capo Mcndicino. He continued his voyage as far as 44 N., without 
 seeing land again, when the sickness of his crew compelled him to 
 return. 
 
 In 1578» Sir Francis Drake, an Englishman, took possession of an 
 faarbor Nortli of Ciilifornia, m 38 deg. 30 min, and numed the country 
 Hew Albion. His voyage by sea was continued, according to some 
 authorities, to lat. 40 N. according to others, to 43, but it is not cer- 
 tainly know n ; but he discovered no land beyond the harbor which per- 
 petuates his name. 
 
 In 1 582, Francisco Gunlli, or Gali, inHhe service of CJpain, first dis- 
 covered the country which is now called the Northwest Coast of Ame- 
 rica, in lat. 57 deg. SO min. N. 
 
 In 1 592, John De Fuca, a Greek, in the service of Spain, was des- 
 patched, by the Vicei-oy of Mexico on a voyage of discovery. *' Be- 
 tween the latitudes of 47 and 48 N. he discovered an inlet, into which 
 he entered ^and sailed moi-e than twenty days." The account of tliis 
 voyagi^SP^lated to an Englishman, who publisher! it, but, for nearly 
 two hiif^red years it rested on his own authority, and was generally 
 ^d§|{BiBed to be fabulous ; but the investigation of modern navigators 
 w^s ascertained its truth, although they place the entrance of tliis inlet 
 at a short distance North of the latitude which had been assigned to it 
 hy De Fuca. 
 
 In 1602, another expedition under the pati'onagc of the Count de 
 Monterey, Vieeroy of Mexico, was prepared at Acapulco. the com- 
 mand of which was given to Sebastian Vizcaino. In lat. 36° 40' N. 
 lie entered a convenient and secure harbor, which he named Monterey, 
 m honor of the Vicei-oy. He continued his voyage and descried Cape 
 Mendocino, as he says, in lat. 41° 30' N. A boat's crew belonging to 
 his ship saw a promontory in lat. 43 N. which they named Cape 
 Blanco. This expedition then returned. 
 
 In 1640. De Fonte, a Spanisli Admiral, discovered a strait on the 
 Jiorthwest Coast in lat. 54° 35' N. The account of De Fonte's voy- 
 age, like that of De Fuca's, was, for a long period, discredited, but 
 it is now ascertained to have been correct. From this time, for a pe- 
 riod of more than one hundred and thirty years, the genius of Spain 
 Beems to have slumbered in inaction. That spirit of active enterprise 
 which had pervaded the world, and which contributed a full *' share 
 of mind, of labor, and expense, to geographical and astronomical 
 science," was prostrated under the paralyzing influence of political 
 despotism and religious bigotry, and the flag of a Peojdc scarcely 
 deemed worthy to be admitted into the family of civilized nations, wag 
 the first which re-appeared on this coast under the auspices of an illus- 
 trious but savage monarch. 
 
 It was in the reign of Peter tlic Great, that the Russians attempted 
 •wme voyages of discovery in the North Pacific. 
 
 In 1 728, Beehring made his first voyage, during which he discover- 
 ed the strait which separates America fi*om Asia, and now bears his 
 name. 
 
 Jn 1741, during the reign of the Empress Anne, a second voyage of 
 
[Rep. No. 218.] 
 
 8 
 
 discovery was attempted under the same commander, in which he dls- 
 rnvered the Aleutian Islands, the Peninsula of Alaska, and Mount St. 
 Elias, and the Continent The coast was first discovered in lat. 55" 
 30' N. and, although high i)retensions, on the part of Russia, ha^c 
 been recently asserted, yet no fartiier discoveries were made by her 
 subjects until the North Pacific became tiironged with tl.c \cssels of 
 all the commercial nations. 
 
 In 1774, a voyage was made to this coast by tlio Spanish Captain 
 Perez ; he was the first who visited Nootka Sound, in hit. 49° 30' 
 and he saw land in lat. 55 N. 
 
 In 1775, another voyage of discovery was projected by Orsua, the 
 Viceroy of Mexico. By his direction a scpuidron was despatched on 
 this object under the command of Heccta, Jiijala, and ^uadm. In 41° 
 7' N. they ran into a harbor which they named de la Trinidad. Con- 
 tiiming their course North, they came into the vicinity of the Island 
 de Dolores^ where they had an hostile encounter with the savages. The 
 next land which they saw was in lat. 57° 2' N. They entered the 
 port of Guadaluppe, in 57° 11' N., and the hikvbor of RcmeiHos, in 57' 
 18' ; here they erected a cross, and took formal possession of the 
 Qountry. In 55° 17', they saw the harbor of Buckarelli. In 38° 18', 
 they entered a hai'bor which they called liudega, in honor r i" one of 
 their commanders, and which is now, by the permission of Lpain, oc- 
 cupied by tiie Russians. 
 
 In 1778, Captain James Cook, then on his tliird voyage of discove- 
 ry under the patronage and direction of tiie British King, leaving the 
 Sandwich Islands, first made the coast of New Albion, in 44° S3' ; at 
 the distance of ten or twelve leagues, " the land formed a point at the 
 Northern extreme, which Captain Cook named Cape Foulweather," 
 Being baffled by the winds, he stood off and on, and gained another 
 view of the land further South, ♦'the North point of which Captain 
 Cook called Cape Perpetua, lat 44° 6'. I'he Southern extreme he 
 named Cape Gregory. It lies in lat 43° SO'." A gale of wind com- 
 ing on, no choice was left to Cook ; he was obliged to ♦* stretch to the 
 Southward and get clear of the coast." Being arrested in the pro- 
 gress of his voyage by adverse winds, for several days, he made no fur- 
 ther progress. Favorable weather succeeding, he continued his course 
 North, and again descried the coast in lat. 47° 5'. He then stood to the 
 North, with a favorable breeze, and, after proceeding some distance he 
 reached Nootka, on Vancouver's Island, where he landed, and called the 
 place King George's Sound. This place is to the North of 49°, and 
 South of 50°. While his ships lay in the Sound, he explored a small part 
 of the neighboring country. When he left Nootka, he bore N. W. and 
 soon discovered Mount £dgcumbe in 57°; and afterwards, in 58°, a 
 large inlet, which he named Cross Sound : and some days afterwards, 
 he discovered a long range of coast, and named a point Cape Suckling. 
 He landed at an Island, where he left a bottle, in which he deposited 
 coins, and papers containing the names of his ships and the date of his 
 discoveries. Afterwards he reached an inlet, and ancliored under a 
 cape which he called Cape Ilinchinbroke. lie partially explored th« 
 
 I 
 
 
 
 ^? 
 
[Rep. No. 213.] 
 
 (,y. 
 
 fejii' 
 
 *-a 
 
 inlet, wliirh he named Prince William's Sound ; it wji« situated in 
 lat. 60° 30' N. Alter he liud h'ft the inlet he passed a highpromonto- 
 rv. whidi he named Cape Elizabeth. Still keeping ncurthc coast, he 
 discovered a laige river, or rather a narrow inlet, whif^h he partially 
 explored. This inlet was allerwards very properly called, hy Lord 
 Sandwich, the First Lord of the Admiralty, Cook's River. Here 
 another bottle was buried, with British coins, &c. This inlet was 
 situated in ahojit 59° N. He continued to run down the Peninsula ol' 
 Ahxska, meetivg occasionally with Russians, until he doubled the Cape 
 and reached Cape Newenham, in about 58" N., oi" which he took formal 
 possession, by again burying a bottle with coins, kc. Continuingoii 
 his Northern course, he discovered many islands and headlands, and 
 reached Cape Prince of Wales, the most Western land of Continental 
 America, in about 66° N., forming the American side of Uehring's 
 Strait, which he penetrated, and rea(;hed the ley Cape, supposed to he 
 the extreme North point of North America, in lat. 72. After coast- 
 ing the Continent of Asia for some distance, he returned to the Ame- 
 rican coast, and anchored at Norton's Sound, from which he com- 
 menced his homeward voyage ■ and, after passing Oonolashka, and 
 gome otlier islands, amongst which was Samganoodha, where he had 
 another interview with the Russians, who wei'c then settlecl upon all 
 tlie principal islands between Oonalashka and Kamschatka, for 
 the purpose of collecting furs, lie then run for the Sandwich Isl- 
 ands, which be reached i'^ thirty days, where he was unfortunately 
 killed. 
 
 Some of Cook's crew having purchased furs at Nootka, disposed of 
 them at an immense profit at Canton. Captain King, who published 
 the last volume of Cook's voyages, after stating this fact, suggested 
 that this traflic might become very lucrative. In consequence of this 
 suggestion, the British merchants were induced, soon after the termi- 
 nation of the American war, as early as 1784, cei'tainly as early as 
 1785, to adventure largely in this traflic. Ships were despatclied to 
 this coast, whose ])rincij)al rendezvous was at Nootka, and places 
 further North. Nor were the merchants of the United States back- 
 ward in availing themselves of the commercial advai/ages of this re- 
 mote coast ; and Bosto)i has the honor of having o])cncd the way to 
 this region, as early as 1787. Caj)tain John Kendrick, in the ship 
 Columbia, and Captain Robert Gray, in the Washington, both owned 
 in Boston, were the first of the Anglo-Americans who explored those 
 seas, so full of wonders, and of wealtli. In 1789, Captain Gray, in 
 the Washington, entered the long lost strait of Dc Fuca, which he ex- 
 plored for 50 miles. Many voyages were subsequently made, both 
 from England and from Boston. Some British and mercantile advoi- 
 twrers in the East Indies, possessing both sagacity and cnterpi-ize, 
 fitted out two small vessels, for the purpose of supplying the Chinese 
 market with furs and ginseng. The traflic proving advantageous, in 
 1788, they determined to form a permanent settlement at Nootka : 
 their agent, Mr. Mears, purchased some land of the natives, and built 
 a house, which was secured and fortified; in the next year more land 
 
 t 
 
mi 
 
 -^-^V] 
 
 [Hep. No. 218.] 
 
 was pun^ljased, and a permanent settlement was commenced. la 
 May, 1790, two Spanish ships of war arrived in the Sound. An Eng- 
 lish vessel was seized, and the Captain and crews wei-c made prison- 
 ers. Possession was forcibly taken, both of the hands and the build- 
 ings. The British flag was torn down, and the Spanish flag was 
 elevated ; and a <leclaration was made, that all the lands between Cape 
 Horn and lat. 60 N. were the unctouhted property of the King of 
 Spain. Another vessel was subsequohtly captured, and the cargo 
 sold. The Spanish minister at the British court, demanded, that 
 British subjects should be forbidden to fre(|uent the Nortliwcst Coast, 
 and complained, that the fisheries there pursued, were in violation of 
 the rights of the King of Spain. The King of Great Britain de- 
 manded instant satisfaction for this insult ; but Spain asserted a posi- 
 tive claim to exclusive sovereignty, navigation, and commerce, in the 
 territories, coasts, and seas, of that region. This claim the British 
 government refused to admit, and renewed the demand for satisfaction. 
 The King of Gi*cat Britain communicated by message, an account of 
 the whole transaction to Parliament, and the Parliament, by an ad- 
 dress unanimously adopted, pledged themselves to suppoi't him. and 
 voted £1,000.000, to carry into effect such warlike j)reparations as 
 might be necessary ; but war was prevented by negotiation, and a 
 convention wjis signed in October, 1790, << by which the restoration 
 of the buildings and vessels, and tlie reparation of the losses sustained 
 by the British subjects were secured : the right of navigation and 
 fishery was equally conceded to both nations ; those parts of the North- 
 west Coast of America, which were to tiie Noith of those occupied by 
 Spain, were left free ; and those to the South of the Spanish settlement 
 were declared t j be the exclusive pro])erty of Spain.'* 
 
 To this period, that long range of coast, sti-etching from 44° 33' 
 to 47° 5', was wholly unknown ; it had not even oeen descried. 
 
 On the 1 1th day of May, 1792, the Oregon, or Great River of the 
 "West, was discovered by Captain Robert Gray, then on his second 
 voyage, and commanding the ship Columbia ; he entered the river 
 and gave it the name of his ship. * 
 
 *BeIow is the humble account of this great discovery, extracted from the original 
 log-book 'if Captain Gray, and now in the possession of Charles Bulfinch, Esq. one 
 «i llie owners uf the ship Columbia, by whom it has been communicated to the 
 Committee. 
 
 Extract from the Log-book of the Ship Columbia, 
 
 CAPTAIN ROBERT GRAY — 1792. 
 
 " May 7, 1792. A. M. Being within 6 miles of the land, saw an entrance in do. 
 which had a very good appearance of a harbor :f lowered away the jolly boat, and 
 went in search of an anchoring place, the ship standing to and fro, with a very strong 
 weather current. At 1, P. M. the boat returned, having found no place where the 
 ship could anchor with safety. Made sail on the ship — stood in for the shore. We 
 soon saw, from our mast head, a passage in between the sund bars. At half past 
 3, bore away, and run in N. E. by E. having from four to eight fathoms, sandy bot- 
 tom : and, as we drew in nearer between the bars, had from 10 to 13 fathoms. Having a 
 
 t Bulfinch'g harbor— now oalled Whitby's Bay. 
 
i\ 
 
 
 8 [Hep. No. 218.] 
 
 B'roni CaptRJii (»i*ay, Vancouver, who liad Ucpii sent out by the 
 British (lOvcrnnK'nt to i-ereivc possession of N«»otka, gained his first 
 knowledge ol' the existence of tliis river. He sent his Lieutenant; 
 there,' wlio made a partial survey of its nioiitU. 
 
 very strontr tile of rbb to stem, mnny canoes came alonp side. Af 5. P. M. came 
 to, in ixvt-- tlttlioms water. 8:in'ly bottom, in a s%i\: harbor, will sheltiT«d from the 
 sen, by lonpsiiul bars uiid npits. Our latitude observed tliis day was 46, 58, N. 
 
 "Mat; ij. Fr! sh breezes »nd pleasant weat'ier — many natives alon|( silt' At 
 noon, all Ih ■ ranotslyft us. At I. P. M. be^an to unmoor: took up the bcsi bowtT 
 anchor, iiin' li:)ve sliort on the small do. At half past 4, beioR high watiT, hove up 
 the H'lchor ;ind came to sail and a b -utinprdown the hurb'ir. 
 
 "Afiy 11. At half past 7, we wt-re out cluar of the bars, and directed our course 
 to the Sontliward, alonp shore. At 8, P. M. the entrance of Bulfi .ch'.i harbor bore 
 North, distance four miles; the Southern extremity of the land bore S. S. E. ^ B. 
 and the North do. N. N. W. Sent up the niaintnpgallant \ard, and set all sad. At 
 4, A. M. saw the entrance of our desired port, beariiijf E. S E. ilistance six leagues r 
 in steering sails, and hauled our wind in shore. At 8. A. M. being a little to wind- 
 ward of the entrance of the harbor, bore aw ly, and run in K. N. E. between the 
 breakers, having fom five lo seven fathoms water. When we were o»er the bar, 
 ve found this to be a large river, of fresh water up wliich we steered —many canoes 
 came along side. A' 1, P. M. came to, with the small bower, in ten fathoms; black 
 and white sand : the entrance between the bars boi-e W. 8. \V, dis ant ten miles t 
 the Ni;rth side of the river a half a mile distant from thf ship, tVie South sid-^- do. two 
 and a half miles dis aiice ; a village on the North side of the river, W. by N. distant 
 three (juarters of a mile. Vast numbers of natives cam' along side — people employ- 
 ed in pumping the .salt water out of otir water casks, in order to fill with fies'i, wliile 
 the ship floited in. So ends. 
 
 " Mmj 12. Many nativt-s alongside. Noon: fieali wind; let go the best bower 
 anchor, and veered out on both cabl s. Sent down the maintopgallant yanl — filled 
 up all the water casks in the hold. Thi; latter part, heavy gales, and rainy, dirty 
 weather. 
 
 " Mas l'"- Fi'esh winds and rainy weather— many natives along side. Hove up 
 the best bower anchor. Seamen and tradesmen at their various departments. 
 
 •• May 14. Fresh gaits and cloudy — many natives aloig sidi-. At noon, weighed 
 and came to sail, standing up tlie river, N. E. by E. We found the chan'iel very 
 narrow. At 4, P. M. we liad sailed upwards of twelve or fifteen miles, when the 
 channel was so very narrow, that it was almost impossible to k^ep in it. Having 
 from three to eighteen fathoms water, sandy bottom, at half past 4 the ship took 
 ground, but she did not stay long before she came olF without any assistance We 
 backed her off, stern foremost, into three fathoms, and let go the small bower, and 
 moored ship with kedge and hawser. The jolly boat was sent to s 'und the channel 
 out, but found it not navigable any further up ; so, of course, we must have taken the 
 wrong channel. So ends, with rainy weather — reiany natives alongside. 
 
 " Tueadaxfy May 15. Light .Virs and pleasant weather: many natives, from diflTer. 
 ent tribes, came along side. At 10, A. M. unmoored and dropped down with the 
 tide to a betti^r anchoring place. Smiths and other tradesmen, constantly employed. 
 In the afternoon. Captain Gray and Mr. Hoskins, in the jolly boat, went on siiore 
 to take a short view of the country. 
 
 " May 16. Light airs and cloudy. At 4, A. M. hove up the anchor, and towfd 
 down aoout *hree miles, with the last of the ebb tidi' — came into six fathoms, sandy 
 bottom, the jolly boat sounding the channtl. At 10, A. M. a fres'i breeze came up 
 river. With the first of the ebb tide we got under way and beat down river. At 
 1, from is being very squally, we came to, about two miles front the village Chinoak, 
 which bore W. S. W. Manv natives alongside— fresh g 1 s and squally. 
 
 "May 17. Fresh winds d squally — many canoes alongside : caulker caulking 
 the pinnace; seamen payiiiijthe ship's sides with tar; painter painting the ship ; 
 smiths and carpenters at their departments. 
 
 •• May 18. Pleasant weather. At 4, in the morning, began to heave ahead : at 
 half past came to sail, standing down river with the ebb tide ; at 7, being slack water 
 and the wind flattering, we came to, in five fathoms, sandy bottom : the entrance be- 
 tween the bars bore b. W. by W. distance three miles. The North point of the 
 
 
t '.''l»""",' 
 
 [Rep. No. 218.] 
 
 9 
 
 III 1793, Sir Alexander M'Kcnzie, in the service of the North- 
 west Company of Canuda, crossed the inountaiiiods ridgo which se- 
 parates the Morth Ameriruii dominions of Great Britain fron this re- 
 gion, and embiu'kcd on a rivrr which he supposed to be a branch of 
 tlie Coltimbla. or as he calls it, the Great River of the West, North of 
 lat. 55, and ifter proroeding some distance, abandoned the river and 
 pro( coded to the Pacilic Ocean by land. I'lie course which he pursued 
 over land was generally between 52° 30' and 53* 30', varying occa- 
 sionally, however, about a degree of latitude from cither line. He 
 reached an arm of the sea, at a place which he called the Village of 
 Rascals in 52° 23'; to the Soiitli of tins point he did not explore. He 
 mistook the river Tacoulche Tense, for the North branch of the Co- 
 lumbia, with which, it is now discovered to be unconnected. It is said 
 this river discharges itself about Bi'"che's Bay of Vancouvr, in lati- 
 tude 49°. 
 
 In 1 7'.59. BaranofT, a Russian, effected a settlement at Norfolk Sound, 
 . in 56°, N. L. This settlement was destroyed in 1802, and re-pstab- 
 lislied in 1804. It will be recollected that Russians had been previ- 
 ously settled at the Aleutian islands, and other places North of Norfolk 
 Sou) id. 
 
 In 1 80S, f n expedition was ordered by the Government of the United 
 States, to explore the waters of the Missouri to their sources, and 
 those of the Columbia from their sources to the Pacific Ocean. This 
 expedition was placed under the comm nd of Captain Meriwether 
 Lewis and Captain William Clarke. The object of the expedition 
 
 harbor bore N. W. distant two miles, the South bore S. E. distant three at;d a half 
 miles. At 9, a breeze sprung; up f'om the E.istward ; took up the anchor and came 
 to sail; but the wind soon caine flatteringly aj^aiii. Came tu with the kedge and 
 hawser — veere ) out fifty futhoms. Noon, pleasant: latitude observed, 46 17, N. 
 At 1, came to sail with the first of the ebb tide, and drifted down, broadside, with 
 lipht airs and strong tide; at three quarters past, a fresh wind came from the North- 
 ward : wore ship and stood into the river again. At 4, came to, in six fathoms; 
 good holding grouud, stbout six or seven miles up — many canoes along side. 
 
 J/«y 19 Fresh winds and clear weather. Early, a number of canoes cair«? along 
 side ; seamen and tradesmen employed in their various departments. Captain Gray 
 g;»ve tlud river the name of Columbia's river, and the North side of the entrance, Cape 
 Hancock, the South Adams's Point. 
 
 " Mail 20. Gentle breeze and pleasant weather. At 1. P. M, being full sea, took 
 . up the anchor and made snil, standing down river. At 2, the wind left us, we being 
 on the bur, with very s'rong tide, which set on the breakers, it was now not possible 
 to get out without a breeze to slioot her across the tide ; so we were obliged to bring 
 upin 3A *iithom, tl>e tide runni;:g 5 knots At three quarters past 2, afresh wind 
 cami in from seaboard ; we immediately came to sail and beat over the bar, having 
 from five to seven fathoms water in the channel. At 5 P. M. we were out, clear of 
 all the baig, and in 20 fiithoms water; a breeze came from tlie Southward : we bore 
 away to the Northward - set all sail to the hest advantage. At 8, Cape Hancock bore 
 S. E. distant three leagues; the Noiih extreme of the land in sight bore N. by W. 
 At 9, in steering ,-ind topgallant sails, ^'idnight, light airs. 
 
 " May 21. At 6 A. M. the nearest land in sight bore E. S.E. distant eight leagues. 
 At 7, set topgallant sails and Jiglit stay sails. *t 11, s. • sti-ering sails fore and aft. 
 Noon, pleasant agreeable weather; the entrance of JBulfincfis harbor bore 9. E. by 
 E. i E. distant five leagues. 
 
ift 
 
 fRep. No. 213.1 
 
 «i 
 
 was completely achieved ; tlie Missouri was explored to its several 
 sources in the Rocky Mourir ins, and two great branches of the Co- 
 lumbia, from their sources to the ocean, on which the exploring party 
 wintered in 1 805-6, and built a small work which they called Fort 
 Clatsop. Tlie great Northern branch, upon which the name of the 
 river is continued, was not explored for any great distance, and tlie 
 Multnomah, the great Southern tributary river, was explored by Cap- 
 tain Clarke for about twenty miles. 
 
 The result of the labors of these enterprising and intelligent men is 
 now before the public, which exhibits a lucid account oC the most ex- 
 traordinary inland voyage ever effected by man, not even excepting 
 that of Ori-ellana. who explored the Amazon. The consummate pru- 
 dence, intrepidity, patience, foi'titude, and success, which distinguished 
 this party, has no parallel in the narratives of veracious history, and 
 Scarcely in the fictitious tales of romance. 
 
 So flattering were the accounts of Lewis and Clarke, " relative to 
 *< the resources of the interior" of this country, that, in the year 1810, 
 John Jacob Astor, an enterprising merchant of the city of New Yoik, 
 was induced to send out a company by sea, ** well supplied with provi- 
 sions and seeds of every description, necessary in a permanent occu- 
 pation of the coast,*' which was contemplated. 
 
 *' This little colony consisted of one hundred and twenty men when 
 *<it arrived in the Columbia; and after ascertaining its soundings, 
 *< they removed some miles above Fort Clatsop, and built the town of 
 "Astoria, where a portion of them cultivated the soil, whilst the others 
 << engaged in the fur trade with the natives. The soil was found to 
 *'be rich, and well adapted to the culture of all the useful vegetables 
 *• found in any part of the United States ; as turnips, potatoes, onions, 
 *< rye, wheat, melons of various kinds, cucumbers, and every sjjecies 
 •* of peas. In the course of a year or two it was believed their inter- 
 <* est would be promoted by cultivating and securing the friendship 
 " and confidence of the tribes inhabiting the waters of that great river ; 
 " to which end the town of Astoria was maintained by about thirty 
 <'men, whilst the rest established themselves at five other points, to 
 " become fixed stations, to raise their own vegetables, trade with the 
 ''natives, and receive supplies of merchandise from the general depot 
 *«at Astoria, and return to it tlie fruits of their labor. One of these 
 ** subordinate establishments appears to have been at the mouth of 
 *< Lewis' river, one at Lanton, a third on the Columbia, six hundred 
 
 << miles fi-om the ocean, at the confluence of tlio 
 
 Wantana river, a 
 fifth on the MulV 
 
 "foui-th on the east fork of Lewis' river, and the 
 «<nomah."* 
 
 This colony continued to thrive until the commencement of the late 
 war with Great Britain, when, apprehending the danger of their situa- 
 tion, they were induced to transfer to some of the Agents of the North- 
 west Fur Comj>any of Canada, the whole amount of their stock in 
 trade for an inadequate consideration. It was, nevertheless, a fortu- 
 
 Report made to the Honse of Representatives, Jan-iary, 1822. 
 
• {, 
 
 IP 
 
 [Rep. No. 218.] 
 
 ii 
 
 nate transfer, as the Britisli Sloop-of-War Raccoon, appeared soon 
 after in the watei-s of the Columbia, and they were compelled to sur- 
 render the fort, of which the enem)' took possession, and retained it 
 
 until when it was surrendered, in pursuance of a provision 
 
 in the ti-eaty of Ghent, to Mr. Prevost, the authorized agent of the Go- 
 vernment of the United States. 
 
 Altliough the partners of the Northwest Company continued to oc- 
 8upy the posts which had hecn established by As^or's Company, yet 
 the sovereignty of the United States over the territory was asserted 
 and acknowledged by all the subjects of Great Britain in that I'egion^ 
 as well as by the British Government ; but the question of boundary 
 is not yet settled between the two nations. 
 
 From a celebrated literary work* the committee have gained some 
 knowledge of the extent of the British claim on tlie Northwest coast of 
 America, and of the progress of discovery and settlement in a region, 
 the length of which is estimated at 550, and the breadth, from the 
 Rocky Mountains to the Pacific ocean at 350 geographical miles, aiid 
 to which the name of Mw Caledonia has been assigned. This infor- 
 mation is contained in the review of the travels of a Mr. Harmon who 
 was nineteen years in the service of the Northwest Company, eight 
 and half of which were spent Westward of the Rocky Mountains. 
 This Company, rivalling the East India Company in enterprise, per- 
 severance, energy, and grasping ambition, and almost emulating 
 them in their pretensions to a power almost sovereign, in a few years 
 after the return of McKenzie, penetrated the Rocky mountains in ano- 
 ther, and more Northerly direction, by|a passage in 56" 30' where tlie 
 Peace river descends towards McKenzie's river through a chasm, and 
 flows by that channel into tlie Polar ocean. Its current is represent- 
 ed as *< not very rapid," and obstructed by few falls. The portage 
 is but twelve miles. " Two branches, one from the North, the other 
 <«from the South, unite at the mouth of the passage ; the latter having 
 << held its course along the foot of the mountains two hundred miles ; 
 *<the former, or Firday's brancli, having its sources in the Great 
 " Bear's lake, nearly West from the junction one hundred and fifty 
 <' miles. This lake has not yet been visited, but is represented as of 
 *< immense extent, stretching far away to the Northward and West- 
 " ward. 
 
 "The whole of this vast country is intersected with rivers and 
 *' lakes. Harmon thinks one.sixth of its surface water. The largest 
 << of the lakes is named Stuart's lake, 400 miles in circumference. A 
 "post has been est-iblished on its margin in 54° 30' N. 125° W.f 
 
 'Quarterly Review. 
 
 f "Distant about 180 miles from t'le Observatory Inlet of Vnncouver, the he»d of 
 •' which lies in 55° 13' N. longitude 129" 44' W^. where, by this time, the United 
 "C'mijany of the Northwest and (ludsun's Bty, have, in all probability, formed an 
 "establishment, and thus opened a direct communication between the Atlantic and 
 "Pacific, the wliole way by water, with the eKception of a very few miles across the 
 " Highlands which divide the sources of ibe rivers, and give them opposite direc- 
 f'lions."— tSa.ne work.> , ^ 
 
 «, 
 
 ;.* 
 
 'i- 
 
 m 
 
 ifiM 
 
 
12 
 
 [Rep. No. 213.] 
 
 1 1 
 
 "Fifty miles to the Westward of this is Frazer's lake, 80 or 90 miles 
 " in circumference. Here, too, a post was established in liOo. A 
 "third, of 60 or 70 miles in circumference, has been named MrLood's 
 "lake, on the shoi^es of which a fort has been built in latitude 55. !on- 
 '♦gitude 124, W. The waters of this lake fall into the Peace river ; 
 "those flowing out of the other two are supposed to empty themselves 
 « into the Pacific, and ai*e probably the two rivers pointed out by Vdu- 
 "couver, near port Essington. The immense quantities of salmon 
 " which annually visit these two lakes, leave no doubt, whatever, of 
 "their communication with the Pacific ; and the absence of this fish 
 "fron» McLcod's lake makes it almost equally certain that its outlet 
 " is not into that ocean." 
 
 With respect to the extent of the British claim on the South, the 
 reviewers say that a river called tlic Caledonia, •* holding a parallel 
 <' course to the Tacontche Tcsse, falls into the sea neai' the x\dmiralty 
 ** inlet of Vancouver, in latitude 48, and forms a natural boundary 
 <* between the new territory and that of the United States, falling in 
 « precisely with a continued line on the same parallel with t'ae Lake 
 "of the Woods, and leaving about two degrees of latitude between it 
 " and the Columbia." In this assertion, however, they have fallen 
 into a mistake. The parallel of latitude established as the line of 
 boundary between the United States and Great Britain, between tiio 
 Lake of the Woods and the Rocky Mountains, is the foit^ ninth, and 
 not the forty-eighth. * . V 
 
 The committee have deemed it expedient to place before the House 
 of Representatives this minute, but ihey fear tediop:., narrative of the 
 progress of discovery and occupation on the Northwest coast, (hat tiie 
 entire history (so far as they are informed) of the claims of all civiliz- 
 ed nations to any portions of this coast should be fairly presented for 
 their consideration. 
 
 They have come to the conclusion that the United States have an 
 incontestible claim to this coast from the forty-second parallel of lati- 
 tude, North, nearly to the mouth of the strait called on the map the 
 strait of John I)e Fnca, uniting on the East with oui' territory West 
 of the State of Missouri, and including a part of the region called New 
 Caledonia, extending on ihe North beyond the forty-ninth parallel of 
 latitude ; and that they have a better title than any other nation to the 
 countries watered by the strait of De Fuca, and the waters themselves. 
 
 It is'a principle which has sometimes bc<jn operative in the adjust- 
 ment of the boundaries between nations who claim sovereignty in a 
 country inhabited by savages only, that an actual occupation of tim 
 subjects of any civilized nation on the waters of a river, shall give to 
 that nation a preferable right to purchase of the aborigines all the 
 lands which are watered by such river and its tributaries, and beyond 
 such waters to a point equi-distant between tiiem and other waters 
 which may flow in a different direction. This principle, it is said, 
 governed Great Britain and France in the formation of the treaty of 
 Uti'ccht. The committee do not know that it has become an absolute 
 
'it''-' •''''■■ '•'""■' 
 
 ^ 
 
 fRep. No. 218.] 
 
 v-t- 
 
 ^^" 
 
 i»ulc in the decision of (|ue,stions concerning conti'overted boundaries, 
 but experience has proved it to be a safe rule, and well adapted, not 
 only to the interest, but to the peace and happiness of nations. 
 
 By the treaty made with Spain in 1819, the United States acquired 
 all the rights of that nation North of the forty-second i)arallel of North 
 latitude. It is therefore important in this discussion to inquire whe- 
 ther Spain had any rights there : if she had, they were acquired bj 
 discovery, for S])ain acfjuired no title by occupation, unless, after the 
 forcible dispossession of the British, the temporary occupation of Noot- 
 ka should have imparted it. The Northwest coast was unquestionably 
 first discovered by Spaniards, or by navigators in the service of Spain. 
 Gualli, in 1582, Dc Fuca, in is'gs. De Fonte, in 1640, Perez, in 
 1774, and the exjKsdition under Ucccta. in 1775, all preceded the 
 English navigators. 
 
 The discussion of the Russian title cnnnot throw any additional 
 light on this subject ; Russia has expressly renounced by treaty all 
 claim to territory South of 54° 40', except her settlement in Califor- 
 nia. 
 
 The only controversy respecting the title to this territory to be 
 apprehended, is with Great Britain. 
 
 The discoveries of Sir Alexander McKcnzie, ate entirely uncon- 
 nected with this region. There is no evidence that the Northwest 
 Company, or any other subjects of the British King, occupied any 
 post on the Pacific Ocean or its waters, (previous to the occnpation 
 of the Columbia by Astnr's Company, in 1810.) 
 
 The American title is founded on occupation, strengthened (as the 
 committee believe) by purchase, by prior discovery of the river, and 
 its exploration from some of its sources in the Rocky Mountains to 
 the Ocean. Great Britain can have no title so strong as this. The 
 occupation, it is true, was noc authorized originally by the Govern- 
 ment of the United States, but they subsequently sanctioned it by de- 
 manding and receiving the surrender of the Fort ; and the posts of 
 the United iVorthwost and Hudson's Bay Company, for all national 
 and legal purposes, are now, and havcjbeen for several years, in the 
 possession of the United States. 3 * ' •:. ;\^ v^i fl^#?i * , 
 
 Upon the principle assumed, to what limits can the claim of the 
 United States be extentfed? As the waters of the Oregon and the 
 Mississippi almost unite in the chasms and valleys of the Rocky 
 Mountains, no difficulty exists in ascertaining the extent of this Ter- 
 ritory towards the East. On the South, some of the branches of 
 Lewis's river are believed to have their sources south of the forty- 
 second degree of latitude; the sources of the Multnomah, the 
 great tributary branch of the Oregon, are still further South. The 
 length of the great northern branch of the Columbia river is nut 
 ascertained, probably It extends to 5a5°, possibly to 54° 40' if it does 
 reach 54* 40' on the principle already assumed, a long extent of the 
 boundary of the United States ; would be on the line already estab) 
 
 ■ t 
 
 i» 
 
 , kV. 
 
 a 
 
 .. .' ' .-■I'pilf'LifciftJji,. 
 
^■i .1 ..' 
 
 14 
 
 i 
 
 i! 
 
 
 ,1 ,' V i ■ 
 •1 "■'. 
 
 
 
 [Rep. No. 218.] 
 
 iisheil between tliem and Russia, which would include a large part of 
 New CHJedonia.* 
 
 Aftt'r completing their exantination of the American title to domain 
 and sovereignty orer this regi(m» the committee proceeded to the 
 examination of the claim of Great Britain which the correspondence 
 discloses. 
 
 Mr. Adams, in his letter to Mr. Rush, dated July 22, 1 823, asserts 
 the positive right of the United States, to all the lands watered by 
 the Columbia certainly as far as latitude 51°, and concludes ** As, 
 <* however, the line runs in latitude 49 to the Stony Mountains, 
 ^< should it be earnestly insisted on by Great Britain, we will consent 
 ** to carry it in continuance, on the same parallel to the Sea.*' 
 
 Mr. Rush writes, August 12, 1824. He says when he made pro- 
 positions for the adjustment of the boundary of the Northwest I'er- 
 ritory. " The British Commissioners 'totally* denied that any right 
 existed on the part of the United States, to Territory there." '• They 
 ** said that Great Britain considered the whole of the unoccupied 
 *< parts of America, as being open to her future settlements as here- 
 " tofore. They included within these parts, as well that portion of 
 ♦' the Northwest Coast lying between the 42d and Slst degrees of 
 ** latitude, as any other parts. The principle of colonization on that 
 *' coast, or elsewhere, on any portions of those continents not yei 
 ** occupied, Great Britain was not prepared to relinquish." 
 
 We do not propose to enter into the discussion of the principle 
 asserted by Mr. Monroe, that no part of the continent of North 
 America is now to be considered as open to European colonization. 
 For ourselves we can only say that we are not disposed to quarrel 
 with any nation for colonizing any portion of the American wilder- 
 ness, without the limits of the United States- 
 
 The British Commissioners denied that any right was acquired in 
 this country in consequence of the original discovery of the Colum- 
 bia river by Captain Gray. 
 
 Perhaps a mere discovery which was not followed by occupation 
 might not impart a positive title to a country held by its aboriginal 
 savages. But where there are conflicting and adverse claims, prior 
 discovery ought to incline the balance in favor of the nation by whom 
 the discovery was made. Supposing there was a simultaneous occu- 
 pation on the same waters; in that case, the original discoverers 
 would have the best right to occupy. 
 
 The committee have investigated the British claim to this Terri- 
 tory with some care and attention. 
 
 In the first place, the commissioners in their conferences with Mr. 
 Rush, asserted the superiority of the British claim, over that of all 
 other nations, to that part of the coast whicli was situated between 
 latitude 37, and latitude 48, on this ground, that it had been originally 
 
 • Captain Kendiick purchased of tlie ntitives of this Coast, a tract of la"d extend- 
 ingf througlj several degrees 'if latitude. 'I'he deeds were deposited ii th*- office of 
 the American Consul, at Canton. I'' 1796, this land was advertised for sale in the 
 city of London, by Mr. Uarrc-li, the agent of the owntis of th« ship Columbia. 
 
'■•Vr!^:k^i:(:%^. 
 
 Plep. No. 218.] 
 
 15 
 
 discovered and explored by Sir Francis Drake, that he had made a 
 formal claim to all the territory comprehended within thos^ limits 
 in the name of Queen Elizabeth. ! , I vi. ? 
 
 2d Purchase from the natives, before the United States were an 
 independent power. 
 
 3d. '♦ That upon the river Columbia, or upon rivers that flowed 
 " into it, West of the Rocky Mountains, her subjects had formed 
 " settlements c<»eval with, if not prior to the settlement by American 
 citizens at its moulh-" These, if we understand the correspondence, 
 are the evidences of title on which Great Britain rests lier claim to 
 this Territory. And never was a great nation driven t» such miser- 
 able expedients, to cover that inordinate ambition, which, not satisfied 
 with half the world, seeks to add this little Terr|tQry to her unwieldjf . 
 Colonial Empire. v;i>:/l' ..^:^IM.r^*;--^r.tii^-"''T_..:'' /"""f'fti- 
 
 Hackluyt, who made the first Engnsh collection of voyages, who 
 lived in the time when Sir F'rancis Drake circumnavigated tiie Globe, 
 (while some of his crew were yet living,) informs U!i that he reached 
 no higher point than 43. _ ■■•„,, J s^ *Si: i .^t-'^. ..^jfe, ^"' ^ i. ■ 
 
 Purchas, wetake his words from the Lortdnn edition ofhis voyages 
 published there in I6l7, 58 jcars after Drake's return from this 
 famous expedition, and 21 years after his death (he died in January, 
 1596,) says, •* Sir Francis Drake sailed on the other side of America 
 "to 40 degrees of Northerly latitude." And again " this our En- 
 glish Knight landed on this coast in 38 degrees." 
 
 In Lediard's Naval History of Great Britain, published in 1735, 
 there is a compilation of ail tiie authentic accounts of voyages then 
 made. Speaking of the voyage of Sir B'rancis Drake, he says, ♦* He, 
 " therefore, boldly resolved to attempt finding a passage by North 
 '< America, and sailed to the North latitude of 2 or 3 and 40 degrees 
 ** on that coast, to discover if tiiere were any Strait on that side, by 
 ** which he might return the nearest way home. But then meeting 
 ** with nothing but severity of cold, thick clouds, and open shores 
 ** covered with snow, thougli it was then the beginning of June, became 
 " back." 
 
 I now come to the most minute and best written account of this 
 voyage which exists ; it is from a collection of voyages published by 
 John '1 ris. D. D. F. R. S. published in London, in 1744 : 
 
 Sir Francis Drake, (he says) after sailing up the coast of South 
 America, atta -king many towns, and making many prizes, readied 
 the haven of Guatulco, {on the west coast of Mexico) and attacked and 
 captured that town. The account continues — 
 
 *' The Admiral now thinking he had in some measure revenged both 
 the public injuries of his country, as well as his own private wrongs, 
 upon the Spaniards, began to deliberate upon his retiii*n home ; but 
 which way he should take, was the question to be resolved : to return 
 by the straits of the South Sea, (and as yet no other passage had been 
 discovered) he thought would be to throw himself into the hands of the 
 Spaniards, who would probably there wait for him, with a far greater 
 strength than he could now cope with ; for he had sit this time but one 
 
 i 
 
 ■;#.' 
 
 
■n 
 
 16 
 
 [Rep. No. 218.] 
 
 » 
 
 i 
 
 ship left, not strong, though it was a very rich one. All'^things con- 
 sidered, he resolved to go roiitid to the Moluccas, and so follow the 
 course of the Portuguese, to get home by the Cape of Good Hope : but 
 being becalmed, he found it necessary to sail more northerly, to get a 
 good wind; upon which design they sailed at least 600 leagues, which 
 was all the way they made, from April 1, to June S. June 5, being 
 got into 43* of north latitude, they found the air excessive cold ; anU 
 the further they went, the severity of the weather was more intolrra- 
 ble. U])on which score they made toward the land, till tiiey came into 
 38° north latitude, under which height of the pole they found & veiy 
 good bay, and had a favorable wind to enter the same." ,"' * . 
 
 ) He then describes the people, their habits, manners, customs, his 
 
 \ transactions with them, and then says, '* these circuuistances, though 
 trivial in themselves, are of consequence in asserting our first discove- 
 ry of California." **;-■ " ^--^ ;:nW'^^-V^''' :i^*V^v ■'.ii''''-l^r 
 
 He then describes an interview with i>eople from the interior. 
 "King, lords, and common jwople." '♦The King (says he) made a 
 solemn offer of all his kingdom, and its dependencies, to the Admiral, 
 desiring him to take the sovereignty upon him, and pndessing that he 
 himself would be his very loyal subject. And that this might not 
 seem to be mere compliment and pretence, he did, by the consent of 
 his nobles there present, take off the illustrious crown of feathers fi-om 
 liis own head, and fix it upon the Admiral's ; at the same time invest- 
 ing him with the other ensigns of royalty, did, as much as in him lay, 
 make him king of the country. The Admiral accepted of this new 
 . offered dignity, as her majesty's representative, in her name, and for 
 her use; it being probable, that from this donation, whether made in 
 jesl or in earnest, by these Indians, some real advantages might here- 
 after redound to the English nation and interest in these parts." He 
 describes their adoration of him and his people, by the offer of sacri- 
 fices, wiiich were rejected with abhorrence. "The Admiral and his 
 people travelled to some distance up in the country." He describes 
 the animals — the multitu<le of deer and rabbits. <♦ The earth of the 
 country (says the writer) seemed to promise very rich veins of gold 
 and silver, there being hardly any digging without throwing up some 
 of tlie ores of them. The ^'miral called, it JSVya Albion, partly in 
 honor of his own country, and partly from the pros])ect of white cliffs 
 and banks, which it yields to them that view it from the sea. At his 
 departure hence, he set up a monument with a large plate, upon which 
 were engraven her majesty's name, picture, arms, title to the country, 
 the time of their arrival there, and tiie Admiral's own name. In this 
 country, the Spaniards had never set footing, nor did they ever dis- 
 cover the land by many degrees to the southwai'd of tlie place. 
 
 "Sailing from hence, they lost sight of land till October 13th, upon 
 which day in the morning, they fell in witii certain Islands, in 8° of 
 north latitude." 
 
 From these accounts there is no evidence on whlcli the British na- 
 tion can claim a prior discovery of this coast. , 
 
"T.;,Tf 
 
 [Rep. No. 213.] 
 
 *? 
 
 le 
 ut 
 
 a 
 ?li 
 
 'S 
 
 Hackluyt says Drake reached 43. 
 Piirclias, Hi 40, 
 
 Lediard, between 42 and 49. 
 
 Harris, 43. 
 
 
 
 .i... 
 
 
 Even Great Britain would not attempt to wrest from us, on such 
 problematical evidence, any territory North of 42, on the ground of 
 prior discovery. 
 
 Admitting the whole to be true ; yet Cabrillo, in 1542, thirty-six 
 
 J'ears before, while in the service of Spain, penetrated to 44, and saw 
 and in 42. 
 
 The claim of prior discoveiy rests wholly oil the account of Francis 
 Fletcher, Drake's chaplain ; and he is the only |)crson who pretends 
 to say that Drake's discoveries were extended to latitude 48 ; and 
 this is his account .>* 
 
 "From Guatulco we departed the day following, viz : (April 1 6) 
 setting our course directly into the sea : wliereupoii we sailed 500 
 leagues in longitude, to get a wind, and between that and June 3d, 
 1,400 leagues in all, till we came into the forty-second degree of lati- 
 tude." 
 
 The night following, June 3d, he says, " We found such an altera- 
 tion of heat into extreme and nipping cold, that our men in general 
 did grievously complain thereof, some of them feeling their healths 
 much impaired thereby ; neither was it tliat this chanced in the night 
 alone, but the next day, (June 4) the if)pe8 were stiff, and the rain 
 which fell was an unnatural fi-ozen substance ; so that we seemed 
 rather to be in the frozen zone, than any way so near unto the sun, or 
 these hotter climates." He says further, tliat " the meat as soon as 
 it was removed from the fire, would become in a manner frozen up, 
 and our ropes and tackling in a few days, were grown to that stiff- 
 ness, that what three men before were able with them to perform, now 
 six men, with their best strength and utmost endeavors, were hardly 
 able to accomplish." 
 
 " The land (he says) in that part of America, bearing further out 
 into the West than we before imagined, we were nearer on it than we 
 were aware, and yetthe nearer still we came unto it, the more extremity 
 of cold did seize upon us. Tiie 5th of June, we were forced by con- 
 trsiry winds to run in with the shore, which we then first descried, 
 and to cast anchor in a bad bay, the best read we could for the present 
 meet with ; where we were not without some danger, by reason of the 
 many extreme gusts and flaws that beat U|M)n us, which if they ceased 
 and were still at any time, immediately upon their inv^rmission, there 
 followed most vile and thick and foetid fogs," &c. 
 
 " In this place was no abiding for us, and to go further North the 
 extremity of the cold (which had now utterly discouraged all our men) 
 would not permit us, and the winds being directly against m, having 
 once gotten us under sail again, commanded us to the Southward, 
 whether we w(»uld or no ; from the height of forty eiglit degrees, in 
 which We now were, to 38 degrees, we found the land by coasting it 
 to be but low. and reasonably plain : every hill (whereof we saw many, 
 
 ;#■■ 
 
 ?t;t 
 
 .■■**..■. 
 
18 
 
 [Rep. No. 213.] 
 
 "^*-^, 
 
 1 
 
 ti /" ■' 
 
 il 
 
 I 
 
 but none very high) t'.ioiigh it wei-e in June, and the sun in the nearer 
 approach unto them, being covered with snow." 
 
 "In 38° 80' we fell in with a convenient and fit harbor, and June 
 17, came to an anchor therein, where we continued till the 23d of July 
 following ; during which time, notwithstanding it was in the height of 
 summer, and so near the sun, yet we were continually visited with the 
 like nipping cold we had felt before." He even says that had it not 
 been for tneir necessities they would have kept their beds on account 
 of the roid ; neither saya he could we at any time in the whole i4 days 
 togetiier, find the air " so clear as to bo able to take the height of sun 
 or star." 
 
 The account of this Reverend Gentleman deserves some examina- 
 tion. On the 3d of June, he says they were in latitude 42, on the 5th 
 of June, in 48, for they were then comi)clIed by contrary winds to alter 
 their course and proceeded no farther North, so they must have run six 
 degrees of latitude, and several <legrees of ioiigitiide, in two days or 
 less, with a crew diseased and disheartoied by excessive cold, so much 
 that six men were required to do the common work of three!* The men 
 were pai>alyzed by the frost, the "iggirig frozen stiff, the rain an un- 
 natural and frozen substance, anu the meat frozen as soon as it was 
 removed from the fire, in latitude 42, on the third day of June ! 
 
 Captain Cook, when on the same spot, (March, l) says "such mod- 
 erate and mild weather appeared to us very extraordinary when we 
 were so far North, ancl so near an extensive continent at this time of 
 year." 
 
 On the 1 8th of April, Vancouver was on the same spot ; he says 
 "the weather was delightfully pleasant." Speaking of the hills 
 which he descried on sl.ore, he says, they were beautifully green, 
 with a luxuriant herbage. At night the Northernmost land in sight 
 was Cape Mendecino, latitude 43." 
 
 Again, after having run to the Port of Sir Francis Drake, in 38, 
 Fletcher says, "they found the weather from the 17th of June to the 
 23d of July, so cold, that they would have kept their beds, had not 
 their necessities required exertion ! 
 
 Vancouver, who travelled a few leagues in the country, surrounding 
 this Port, in November, 1792, si>eaking of the mountainous ridge 
 which lay between his path and the sea, says, "as we advanced, its 
 sides and summits exhibited a high degree of luxuriant fertility inter- 
 spersed with copses of various forms and magnitude, verdant open 
 spaces, and enriched with stately forest trees oP different descrip- 
 tions." About noon he arrived at " a very pleasant and encliantitig 
 lawn, where he rested. It requii-ed some resolution to quit so lovely 
 a scene, the beauty of which was greatly heightened by the delightful 
 serenity of the weather.** He continues, " we had not proceeded far 
 from this delightful spot, when we entered a country I little expected 
 to find in these regions. For about twenty miles it could only be 
 compared to a Park which had originally been planted with the ti'ue 
 
 * Fletcher 8»>8 tkey Bailed 1400 le»jjues, the other accounts say 600. 
 
 *; U: 
 
 ft#r1fMii 
 
rfxrv 
 
 mm 
 
 [Doc. No. 218] 
 
 49 
 
 )th 
 
 Jld English oak ; the nndcrworid that had probably attended its early 
 growtli, hud the appearance of huving been cleared away, and left 
 tlie stately lords ot' the forest in complete possession of the soil, 
 ^\hich was covered with luxuriant herbage, and beautifully diversio 
 fted with jileasing eminences and valleys, which, with the range of 
 lofty rugged mountains tliat bounded the prospect, required only to 
 be adorned with the neat habitations of an industrious people to pro- 
 duce a scene not inferior to the most studied cifect of taste in the dis. 
 posal of grounds.** 
 
 Yet in this delightful terrestrial paradise, thus seen and thus de- 
 scribed by Vancouver, under a November sun, this bucaneering 
 I'arson almost perished witli the cold in the middle of July ! 
 
 Father Charlevoix deemed tjie whole account of the discovery of 
 New Albion by Sir Francis Drake to be fabulous, by reason of the 
 ci'rors, absurdities, aud falsehoods of Fletcher. J 
 
 Pinkerton wljolly discredits Fletcher's account of Drake's voyage, 
 and says that his real design was to discourage all hopes of finding a 
 passage by this way into the Noith Sea. 
 
 And yet, on this miserable tale of this miserable priest, a tale dis- 
 credited by their own historians, by contemporai*y authors, by subse- 
 quent authors, Great Britain attempts to setup a claim of territory ; 
 and, to strengthen that claim they urge as a purchase, the ridiculous 
 surrender of the country in latitude 38, 4 degrees S. of the American 
 line by the nati\cs to Sir Francis Drake, who could not tell whether 
 they were iti jest or in earnest ! and contend that it applies to the 
 whole tract of country between 37 and 48 ! I'^.j^.* ^ y;r 
 
 Great Britain denies that the United States acquired any right 
 whatever to territory on this Coast from discovery, purchase, or occu- 
 pation ; yet she founds a claim to the same territory, because she en- 
 tertains a fancy that in 1578, Sir Francis Drake made a purchase of 
 territory around the Port which perpetuates his name. And a pur- 
 chase which they d<» not even pretend was followed by occupation. 
 Of whom did he purchiise ? If the purchase was made at all it was 
 made in 1578. 
 
 Since, then, centuries have rolled away. The Indian tribes are. 
 constantly migrating, wave succeeds to wave in melancholy succes- 
 sion — they rise and disajipear, and leave no trace of former existence. 
 For aught we know, the Creeks or Cherokees might then have kind- 
 led their council fires on the shores of the Pacific. For aught we 
 know their places may now be occupied by the remnants of the Mexi- 
 cans- —The Shawnees of Lake Michigan once inhabited the banks of 
 the Floridian Snwanee. The Ttiscaroras of Lake Ontario once dwelled 
 in North Carolina. New tribes may have succeeded to the old. 
 New rights may have been acquii*ed which not even English laws can 
 impugn. 
 
 Tlic other fact upon which the British Commissioners rested the 
 claim of their nation, might, if true, be material, viz : ♦« a settlement 
 of their subjects upon the branches of the Columbia, coeval with, if 
 not prior to the settlement by American citizens at its mouth*" 
 
 t 
 
 'Hdm'l.c'A'uil^. .i4^^ii' litL!. -^ 
 
t \ 
 
 20 
 
 [Rep. No. 213.] 
 
 
 ^i 
 
 ■In 
 
 
 liH-". 
 
 :V-,!-S^ 
 
 'I 
 
 This fact wo donj. Great Britain never had a settlemeni on tliat 
 river or any of its branches prior to Astor's settlement in 1810. 
 
 Where was it ? Who asserts it ? Who knows it ? What document 
 proves it ? What book of travels, geography, or history relates it ? 
 It is stated, indeed, in the Quarterly Review, that there was a trading 
 post established on some of the Lakes as far North as 55, and North 
 of the line established between Russia and the United States, as early 
 as 1806; but the Reviewera do not even pretend that this establish- 
 ment was on the w aters of the Columbia, or its tributaries. 
 
 After a cai*efu] examination of the British claim, the Committee 
 have unanimously come to the conclusion, that it is wholly unfounded ; 
 and that the navigators of Great Britain were not the original discov- 
 erers of any part of the region which is included between the Mexi- 
 can and Russian boundaries. Nevertheless, the minute examination . 
 which has been made by them, of parts of this coast, ought, pcrliaps, 
 to secure to the nation who patronised them, something more than 
 could be claimed as a positive right ; but we think the offer of Mr. 
 Rush, to continue the boundary along the forty-ninth parallel of lati- 
 tude, from the Rocky Mountains to the Ocean, was as great a con- 
 cession as would be compatible with our interests, our honor, or our 
 rights. 
 
 It is a question, at first, somewhat difficult of solution, why Great 
 Britain should have become so extremely anxious to wrest from the 
 United States a Territory, comparatively of limited extent, and con- 
 sidering the vast domains in Asia, Africa, Australasia, and America, 
 which she has yet to populate and to reclaim, comparatively of lit- 
 tle valut — yet a little reflection will suggest the answer. ^ , *■• 
 
 Great Britain adopts no plans of policy from caprice or vanity ; 
 her ambition is developed in a system of wise and sagacious projects, 
 to check, to influence, and to control all nations, by means of her navy 
 and her commerce ; in prosperity and in adversity ; in peace and in 
 war ; she has pursued this grand design, with an energy and perse- 
 verance, which does infinite credit to her political sagacity and fore- 
 sight. .N Jr .»-|r>' ■. , -", .:v 
 
 Great Britain and Ireland may be assimilated to huge fortifications 
 on the W^estern frontier of Europe. She sends forth her fleets. Ev- 
 ery 74 is a floating fort, w hich can move rapidly along the whole ex- 
 tent of the European coast. .».. , ] 
 
 At the Strait of the Mediterranean Sea, the Southern extremity of 
 Europe, she holds an impregnable fortress, from which she can act 
 either upon the Soutliern coasts of France and Italy, or the coast of 
 Barbary, near the Eastern extremity of the Mediterranean ; the Ionian 
 Islands, and Malta, will enable her to act witli a controlling power, 
 upon Egypt, the Grecian Archipelago, Greece, and a great part of 
 the Turkish Empire. In a single week she can annihilate their com- 
 merce, and destroy their maritime cities. From Gibraltar, she (ran 
 also act upon the Northwestern, and, from St. Helena, upon the South- 
 ivesterii coasts of Africa. 
 
 r. 
 
 ^ 
 
rm 
 
 [Kcp. No. 218] 
 
 2i 
 
 The extreme Southern part of AlVica.the Cape. uC (i<m(l llDpc, nuw 
 in her possession, will always eiiabh^ her to eoiitml the ^joolheiri part 
 of that vast Peninsula, and its whohi Eastern coast-, from Cape Town 
 1<) the Red Sea. 
 
 From the Isle of France, her operations npon the African roast ran 
 1)6 etfectually aided ; and the possession of that island, estahlishe.s, 
 firmly, her power to control the whole commerce of the Indian 
 Ocean. Her continuous settlements and fortifications, on botli coasts 
 of Uindostan, flanked by Ceylon, in the same manner as Hhe flanks 
 EurojM;, will always render her invincible in that <|uartcr. 
 
 Neither has she neglected North America. Nova Scotia, Bermu- 
 da, and Trinidad, are almost in line. From the tw(» first, she (;an 
 act with poweii'tYil effect upon the whole coast of the United States. 
 T.lnid{*ci is almost connected with the Continent of South America, 
 at the vvy point where ti»e Carribean Sea, which washes the whole 
 North coast of South America, unites with the Atlantic, a point equally 
 formidable to the Republic of Colombia, the Dutch and French posses- 
 sions on the Continent, and the Empire of Brazil. 
 
 These front stations afford her, at all timss, the means of concen- 
 trating all her flying artillery of the deep, upon any selected p(»int. 
 These stations enable her in war, to strike with a thousand arms ; and, 
 if not to annihilate, at least to control and check the whole com- 
 merce of the Atlantic and Indian Oceans. 
 
 Always alive to her great interests, she early discovered the im- 
 portance of the Pacific Ocean, to her commercial projects. 
 
 Holding the vast Island of New Holhuid and Van Diemen's Land, 
 she is already posse«sscd of the naval empire of the Southeastern Pa- 
 cific; no long period will elapse before the Burmese Empire will fall 
 before her arms ; and the possession of Cochin China will advance 
 the flag of St. George to the shores of the Northern Pacific, and soon- 
 er or later, will enable her to control the commerce of China, which 
 exists only at Canton, to which she will be a near, a dreaded, and a 
 ' dangerous ncighbpr. 
 
 She now claims the sovereignty of the Sandwich Islands. Taheita 
 is obedient to her power. What then remains to enable her to encora-. 
 pass the globe ? Columbia River and De Fuca's Strait ! Possessed 
 of these, she will soon plant her standards on cvej-y island in the Pa- 
 cific Ocean. 
 
 Except the Columbia, there is no river which opens far into the in- 
 terior, on the whole Western shore of the Pacific Ocean. Tliere is 
 no secure port or naval station, from 39 to 46. 
 
 The possession of these waters will give her the command of the 
 Northern Pacific, enable her to control the commerce and policy of 
 Mexico, Central America, and South America. These rich nations 
 will be her commercial colonies. *' She will then gather to herself all 
 nations, and her ambition will span the earth." 
 
 The Committee entertain no disposition to seek a controversy with 
 Great Britain, on a question of doubtful right ; neither have they anv 
 disposition, in defence of an incontestiblc right, to avoid it. 
 
 "4. 
 
 ■ h 
 
 fc $ 
 
 ,.^.. 
 
 4\ 
 
M 
 
 22 
 
 [Kep. No. 218] 
 
 The iniliHi'icHt p of Amcrira stimulates the cupidity of Grrat Bri- 
 tain. Our neglect daily wenkr is oin* own claim, and strengthens 
 htMs : and the day will soon amve, when her title to this Territory, 
 will he better than ourH. unlesH ours is earncBtly and speedily cn- 
 i'orce<l. 
 
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