The Kalida venture. [volume] (Kalida, Ohio) 1841-1865, 1845-03-28

CodSl Hortn ol Inc 4Ou OF 44tn uegGec, WHICH
we're the limit of the discoveries of Cabrelo
and Viscaino. But about that time, the
Spaniards were alarmed atthe encroachments
making by the Russians on the Pacific coast,
and on those parts which they had discovered,
and considered as peculiarly belonging TO
them; and, anxious to extend the Spanish
dominons north of California, TO the excu-
sion of all others, they ordered several ex-
pcditions, both in the years 1774 and ITS.
All the expeditions we're directed to proceed
as far north as the 65th degree of latitude,
and 10 particularly examine the coast be-
tween the 44th and 65th degrees; all south
of that having been discovered before, as al
ready remarked, by Cabrclo and Yiscaino.
Juan Perez commanded the first expedition
under this new Spanish excitement, who did
not continue the expedition beyond the 54th
degree, when he sailed south 10 4G5 degrees,
where he discovered a commodious3 bay,
which he called Port San Lorenzo. He re-
mained some time at this port, and traded
with the Indians. This was the first stop
made at this port by any European.
-Four years after this discovery, Capt.
Cook, 10 whom have had occasion to alude,
in his first voyage TO the Pacific visited this
bay, and reported himself as having been
The dlscovcrcr: but, in his report, relates
fact that of itself destroys all his claims to
discovery. He, TOO, traded with the Indians;
and, in his rcp0Css::, stated that the Indians
were well acquainted with the use of iron,
and preferred 10 trade for it in preference 10
anything else which he had. It's use, and
IFS value for their purposes, they learned
four years before that from the Spaniards.
So far, it is we'll established that the Spa.
niards were the first dscoverers of all the
Pacific coast as far as the 54th degree Of
north latitude.
But still lacr--tbol ia, in !?f5-another
expedition sailed for the purposes of explora-
ton, Which proceeded north as far as De.
Fuca's sound. Now have 10 speak of anos
ther tile, which is branaished at all oircon2
ventions for the settlement of the Oregon
question, that is, the title founded on the
discovery of Capt Cook. This is about as
good as the title founded upon Brakes dis
coveries, beth without force or value for any
other purpose than 10 brandsh in a conven-
tion. | have stated the objects of Cooks
voyage, and the iniuncions he was under to
proceed without delay to the Goth degree of
north latitude. have also stated that he
put in at port San Lorenzo 10 take in refresh.
ments, and TO supply with wood and water.
He, too, went through the idle ceremony of
taking possession in the name of his master,
and changed the name of the bay to that Of
King Georges sound but he was near four
years toe late; the Spaniards had four years
the start of him. All the navigators of which
have spoken, and many more of which |
have not time 10 speak, passed along the
Pacific coast fIam The Gulf Of California 10
the 65th degree of north latitude, without
discovering the mouth of The Columbia river,
or without knowing that >he vast territory on
the east side of the Pacific was drained by
any other river than the Colorado, which
has IFS outlet by the gulf of that name, and
has its source in the 42d degree of north la
tiude.
| present another tile, which is also
brandished in our Oregon conventions; and
that is the tile derived from Tie treaty
of Nootka sound, (tormerly port San Lorenzo,
Or Friendly Covo;) by which treaty the Bri-
tsh claim the right of trading and fishing i'll
and upon the Pacific coasts; and, Oregon
being par: of the Pacific coasts, therefore
they claim to have the same right to fish,
hunt, and trade now, that the Spaniards had,
and that VIC now have, which they say were
secured 10 them by that treaty. True, there
was treaty called the Nootka treaty, and,
owing to the exhausted state of the Spanish
treasury, Spain was compelled 10 submit TO
some conditions which she, under more pro-
sperous circumstances, would not have done
but no more powers Or privileges were sur
rendered to England by that treaty than
what she before enjoyed; and, above all, no
more surrender Of sovereignty was made oi
any possessions which Spain had acquired,
except small spot of ground, and perhaps
the remains Of a shanty or hut, which Br-
tisll navigator by the name Of Mears claimed
10 have purchased of an Indian chief but
which the chief and his whole tribe denied
they ever sold TO him.
TO show the value Of the NOotka treaty,
| can do nothing better than introduce part
of the debates in the British Parliament Gil
the subject. An address was moved Ill the
House Of Commons TO the King, 10 congro-
tulate him upon the advantages, &C., derived
from the Nootka treaty in the following
words, viz
''They (he House Of Commons) are eager to
embrace the first opportunity of offering to his
Majesty their cordial congratulations on so salts
factory an issue of the late negotiation, which has
continued to these kingdoms the blessings Of
peace, has maintained the honor of his Maiesty's
Crown, by providing an adequate reparaton for
the violence which was committed at Nootka,
and has secured to his Malesty's subjects the