The voice of freedom. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1839-1848, 1845-03-13

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versy.
First The United States claim tina
the mouth Of The Columbia vas first dis
covered by an American citizen. Tn,
first voyages from The United States tc
the northwest coasts were made by the
Columbia, of 22O tons, and the slooE
Washington, of 90 tons, under the COM
mand respectively Of John Kendrlck and
Robert Gray. They were fitted out by
an association of merchants al Boston, and
sailed from Boston Sept. 80, 1857, with
sea letters from the Federal Government
and passports from the authorities of Mass
achusets. The two vessels proceeded
fl rst to the Cape Verd Islands, and thence
to the Falkland Islands, where they pass
ed fortnight. They then doubled Cape
Horn and were separated by sorm.-
The Washington arrived at Nootka Sept.
II, 1888. The Columbia. though de-
tanned by an accident, joined her before
the end of the same month; and both ves-
sells spent the winter at Nootka Sound be-
tween the 49th and 5Oth parallels. The
Columbia under Capt. Gray, again left
Boston Sept. 81, 1890, on another voyage,
and in May of the next year, reached the
coast llule north OF Cape Mendocino.
Sailing along the coast towards Nootka,
Capt. Gray observed an opening in Iati-
tude 46 deg, 81 min, from which issued
a current so strong as to prevent his en-,
trance, though he remained nine days in
its vicinity endeavorng to effect that OBJ.
/ ject Being fully convinced that he had
discovered the mouth Of river, he conln-
ued his course north and on the 5th Of
June, 1871, arrived in the harbor OF ely
oqDot, near Nootka, where, after short
voyage to Queen Charlotle's Island, he
wintered. in fortified habilation, called
For, Defiance. While there, he also built
and launched schooner, called the Eter,
prise.
About this time Capt. Kendrlck of the
sloop Washington, purchased of the In
dian Chiefs several large tracts of land
near Nootka Sound, for which he procur-
ed deeds auth enticated q, Macao; and so
lately as 1888 memorials were before
Congress praying the Government TO pur,
chase his right: and the claim, we believe,
is still urged. Kendrick afterwards sailed
to the Sandwich Islands, originated the
trade in sandal wood, in 1898 was killed
at Owyhee by the natives.
In the middle of April 1892, Captain
Vancouver, with two Ships, arrived on
the coast near Cape Mendocino. Pro
ceedng North he carefully observed the
part near the 43d 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 dis
covered there, by Mr.. Meares. He did
not succeed, however; and records in his
journal that, "not considering the OPEN
ing worthy of more attention." he con'n>
ued his pursuit TO the northwest On
the 26th of April he met Capt. Gray in
the Columbia, VIII informed him, (acco!d>
ing to MIR Vancouver's Journal that he
had been "of the mouth of river in the
latitude Of 46 deg 20 min. where the ont.
set or rehux was so strong as to prevent
his entering for nine days" This account
Vancouver evidently discredited; for he
Afterwards recorded in his journal that he
had thoroughly examined that part of the
coast, "under the most favorable circum-
stances of wind and weather THAT his
inspection had been so thorough that "the
surf had been constantly seen 10 break on
the shore:' and that "no appearance Of
any opening had been seen, the whole
coast forming one compact, solid and mear-
la straight barrier against the sea-
With reference TO what Captain Gray had
told him, he expressed Incredibly, and ad-
ded "Be that, however, as 1t may was
thoroughly convinced, as were also most
persons OF observation on board, that we
could not possibly have passed any safe
opening, harbor or place Of security for
shipping, on this Coast flom Cape Men
docino to Cape Flattery," that is from lat
i,ude 4 deg. to 48 deg. II is evident
from this that Vancouver placed not the
slightest confidence in The statement OF
Capt, Gray and he accordingly pro.
ceeded to the Survey of the Strai, OF Fuca
al the North.
Gray on the other band, confident tina.
he had not been mistaken, returned TO the
mouth Of the river, which he resolved, il
possible to enter with his ship. On the
7th Of May, 1892, he found and entered a
harbor near the 47lh deg, where he re-
NAMED four days, giving it the name Of
BulEnch harbor, in compliment to one OF
the Boston owners otthe ship. It's some
times called Gray's harbor; though Brlt>
ish geographers, with their usual regard
for Justice toward American discoveries,
always name it Widebys harbor. from
British officer who afterwards visited it.
1t is so named on Arrowsmilh's map as
well as Blacks. On the llth of May,
Capt. Gray left it; he soon reached the
mouth OF The river, dashed through the
breakers which extended entirely across
the bay, and soon found himself on broad
i II IL L -.