The northern galaxy. [volume] (Middlebury, Vt.) 1844-1848, 1845-03-05

rights, but no more. This is the extent oil
the British claim as laid down by Messrs
HuskIsson and Arlington, 10 the discussions
which resulted in the Convention of 1927.
Having stated first the geographical limits
and character of the territory, and the general
nature of the claims Of both parties, we next
enquire.
III. What do the United States claim, and
on trhat grounds? Their general claim, as
already stated, is TO the absolute aud exclu-
sive possession ofhle regions drained BIZ The
Columbia rirer ; and they defend this claim
on the following asserted facts:
j. Because the mouth of the Columbia
was first discovered by an American citizen.
?. Because the territory drained by the
Columbia was first explored by the American
government.
3. Because the Grst ports and settlements
IN the territory were made by citizens Of the
U. States.
4. Because the British government has
virtually recognized their title by restoring
the port at the mouth ofthe Columbia, cap
tured BY them during the last war.
A. Because they have acquired by treaty
all the titles of Spain, which were derived
from the discover and exploration OF the
coasts BY Spanish subjects. before they had
been seen by the people of any other civilized
nation.
7. Because the fact that this territory is
contiguous TO that of the United States, gives
them stronger right to it than could be ad-
vanced by any other power.
A brief exposition of these several grounds
of claim may throw additional light upon
the general aspect controversy.
III. Il
mouth Of The Columbia 1eds first discorercd by
an american citi>en. The frs: voyages from
the United States TO the northwest coasts
were made by the Columbia, of 40 tons, and
the sloOp Washington. of go tons, under the
command respectively of John kendrick and
Robert Gray. They were fitted out by an
association ofmerchants at Boston. and sailed
from Boston Sept. 80, l7o7, with sea letters
from the Federal Government ard passports
from the authorities OF Massachusetts. The
two vessels proceeded first TO the Cape Nerd
Islands, and thence to the Falkland Islands,
where they passed fortnight. They then
doubled Cape Horn and were separated by
storm. The Washington arrived at Moot
ka Sept. II, l76S. The Columbia, though
detained by an accident, joined her before
the end Of the same month and both vessels
spent the winter at Nootka Sound. between
the 10Th and 5Oth parallels. The Columbia
under Capt. Gray, again left Boston Sept. 81,
1870, on another voyage, and in May of the
next year, reached the coas, 4 little north of
Cape Mendocino.
Sailing along the coast towards Nootka.
Capt. Gray observed an opening, in latitude
46 deg. 81 min., from which issued a current
SO strong as 10 prevent his entrance, though
he remained nine days in its vicinity endeav-
orins TO effect that object. Being fully con-
WINGED that he had discovered the mouth Of
4 river, he continued his course north and
on the 9th Of June, 1871, arrived in the har-
Dor of Clyoquoi, near Nooika, where, after a
short voyage to Queen Cbarlotte's Island. he
wintered. in a fortified habitation, called
Fort Defiance. While there, he also built
and launched schooner, called the Enter
prise.
About this time Capt. Kendrick OF the
sloop Washington, purchased ofthe Indian
Chiefs several large tracts Of land near
Nootka Sound, for which he procured deeds
authenticated at Macao and so lately as 1888
memorials were before Congress praying the
Government to purchase his right and the
claim. we believe, is still urged. Kendrick
afterwards sailed 10 the Sandwich Islands,
originated the trade in sandal wood, in 1898
was killed at Owyhee by the natives.
In TIE middle Of April 1892, Captain Van
couver, with two Ships, arrived on the coast
near Cape Mendocino. Proceeding North
he carefully observed the part near the Add
degree, and that near the 49th, where an
opening was laid down in the Spanish charts,
in search of the river which was said to have
been discovered there, by Mr.. Mcares. lie
did not succeed, hcCerer; and records in his
Journal that, ''not considering the cPening
lcorthy of more attention." he continued his
persuit TO the northwest. On the 26th of
April he met Capt. Gray in the Columbia,
who informed him, according to Mr.. Van
couver's Journal that he had been "oD the
mouth ofa rirer in the latitude Of as deg. 10
min. where the outset or rehux was so strong
as to prevent his catering for nine days"
This account Vancouver evidently dis
credited: for he afterwards recorded in
his journal that he had thoroughly exam
ined that part of the coast, "under the
most favorable circumstances ofwInd and
weather THAT his inspection had been
so thorough that "the surf had been con-
stantly seen to break on the shore :" and
that "no appearance of any opening had
been seem. "the whole coast forming one
compact, solid and nearly straight barrier
against the sea-" With reference TO
what Captain Gray had told him, he ex-
pressed incredibly, and added 'Be that,
however, as it may, l was thoroughly con-
WINGED, as were also most persons of OBJ
servation on board, that we could not
possibly have passed any safe nariga6le
opening, harJOror place Of security for
shipping, on this Coast from Cape Men
docino to Cape Flattery," that is from
latitude Al deg. to AZ deg. 1t is evident
from this that Vancouver placed not the
slightest confidence in the statement of
Capt Gray:-and he accordinglyProcee-
ded to the Survey of the Strait of Fuca
at the North.
Gray on the other hand, confident that
he had not been mistaken, returned to the
mouth of the river, which he resolved. if
possible, to enter with his ship. Or the
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