Virginia Argus. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1796-1816, 1805-08-07

language, and endeavor TO concliate the IN
oy every means in their power; and was
once informed by gentleman who had
peeh on the coast, that they possessed
very considerable influence over the
northern trlbesi and it was his opinion. as
u IS nine, that the Russian government
con'emp!atcs making Entertainments 10
the uthwarel, until they shall be stopped
oy the Spaniards. The American traders
were assurcdly on the coast before the
Russians, except, indeed, that a Russian
vessel Or two might have visited that part
OF The coast immediately opposite the east,
ern extremity of Asia, few years before.
1t IS Utmost SOyears since the ship Colurn
ola, capt. Kendrick, and the sloop Mary
Washington. capt. Gray, were dispatched
from Boston tn the N. w. ceas, of Ane
RIGA; they made important discoveries.
and took possession of considerable tract
oil country, and capt. Kendrick actually re
lceived deeds OF large part from some OF
me principal chiefs. The river Columbia.
u ara not mistaken, receives its name
from The Boston ship have mentioned.
saw the Columbia in Canton, on her re I
Turn with cargo Of sea otter skins, which
were adyantsgeously disposed of in that
market. The Mary Washington AFTER
wards came TO China, and made FREQUENT
voyages back to the coast, bot believe
never returned to the U. States. Cant. |
hendrick having sentthe Columbia home,
under charge of capt. Gray, remained in
Tue sioop, and finally lost his lf. on The !
coast, IN sala,ing another vessel.
was acquainted with captain Metcalf, |
OF New York, who commanded the brig !
kienora--he was early on the coast, ard I
tod he he had taken possession III behalf /
OF the Cnned States. Captain Metcalf |
was either cul oh by the natives or lost {
on me Coast, OF his second trip after he !
han visited the Isle of France Captain |
EDosrts and others from Boston socn FOL !
lowed capt. keudrick. Since these yoya
ges we're made (and they were the FIRST
nndofiaken trom this country the Amc
means have carried on constant trade, To
'he coast, where hey colie6i otter skins
and carry them to China, and for ten or
| htteen years they may have been from
i've to ten vessels principally from Mas
sachusetts, engaged in this trade. ! have
only referred to their voyages, particularly
to Capt. Hendricks, with view OF shew.
ing you that the Americans have as good.
! not DETER Claims to the country than the
Russians can possibly have. / wish col
lection could be made Of all their yoya-
ges; the information to be derived from
them would certainly be Interesting * per.
haps important, in establishing our Tile
to the country embraced within the limits
ofthcir discoveries. Captain Metcajfwa,
very correct navigator, and has made
valuable charts and drawings of the coast
and harbours which he had entered, but 7
! presume they were lost with him. The
trst navigators are chiefly dead, and IL is
doubtful whether their journals were pre-
served. Captain Hendricks is said to
have fallen into The hands of MIR. How
ell, who, it is understood, died in Manila
where it is probable they we're lost. CAPT.
lpgraham, who sailed under Kendrick in
the Columbia, afterwards made a yoyage
TO the north west coast, and thence 10 chi
ma, and on the passage discovered small
cluster OF islands; and have heard tha,
BIS Journal was presented to general
washington, and it is very probable IL
may be found among his papers. 1t is
possible that captain Magee's may be ore
served by his friends or relations who re-
side in Boston, and If copy can AZ anv
future time be obtained, you may depend
VIII not tail TO present it 10 you. / do
not recolleet single vessel ever having
performed voyage from Salem TO the
western coast OF America. Our merchants
having generally been engaged in other
enterp'zes, particularly TO The East. Indies
ny the way Of The Cape of Good Hope,
lew or none from our port, within my
knowledge, have dispatched any vessel
: round Cape Horn, upon voyages for sea
otter skins, which are only procured in
high northern laiitudes, on the west side
: OF this comment.
The eastern extremity of Asia is so near
: the western part Of North America, that
the Russians have easy and frequent com
: runnicslion with IL. have not the least
: doubt but that they have views Of taking
J possession OF the whole coast, from the
J northern extremity Of The continent tas far
. as the sea is nsvigsble) to the Spanish set.
dement's 70 the southward; and | am of
, opinion the late Russian voyage Of dIsco-
, very 10 connected with the general CO.