Indiana State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis) 1841-1853, 1846-07-02

the narrowness of the mouth and the high points
which overlook II, susceptible OF absolute defence
And in this respect the mouth of the Columbia stands
out Pre-emnenty distinguished over all the rivers OF
the Atlantic, aud most of those of the world. No
seven mouths like the Nile, or three like the Mlssls
sippi-no broad outlets through low sands and marshes
no wide expanse of water at Its mouth, but bay
Within large enough to hold ten thousand vessels,
narrow gate TO enter the sea, and Promonories on
each side TO receive batteries 10 defend 1t. In Short
state of nature, without pilots lighthouses buOys
beacons, steam tow-boats, excellent port: with
these advantages, superior to New York for every
vessel from the merchant service to the shp-of-the
line Such is the harbor at the mouth OF the Column
bla which has been undervaued for several reasons
among others to find argument for going to "a deg
10 mn search for harbors in the depths of volcanic
clasms, often too deep for anchorage, too abrupt for
approach, and always seated in sterile lands to which
geography has attached the name of Desolation.
Like the other disadvantages attributed to the Column
bia that of the harbor at the mouth of the river
ishes the touch'of examination not only vanshes
but turns out be of its great and positive supe
riorties. would read the statements of Midshipman
Blair, and the pilot, Mr.. Magnn, but find them too
long for place in speech: they will appear IN an
appendix. All the capacities of this harbor well
known TO the British. Often have their government
vessels surveyed it-three times that know of, and
never with dsparaging report. But why argue!
While speak, the work Is going on Vessels have
been entering the port since l792-a period of fifty
six years-wthout pilots lights buoys, beacons, steam
tow-boats without any of the aids which the skill
and power of civilization gives 10 port They are
entering it now; and, counting from its first discovery
there is not day in the year, hour in the day
or night in which they have not entered II, and
tered it safely. few have been wrecked, and
very few; the great mass have entered safely, and
this in state of nature. What will it be then, when
aided like the established ports of the civilized world
The carrying trade between eastern Asia and west
ern America will be another of the advantages belong
ing TO the Columbia. 1t is the only position between
the Isihmns of Daren and Behrine straits which
a naval power can exist Mexico has no timber, few
ports, and of the elements of ship building.
The Lower California is the same. Northern Cali
fornia, with the bay of San Francisco, and the
magnificent timber of the Sierra Nevada, is
shown by the discoveries Of Captain Fremont, TO be
geographically appurtenant to the Columbia, and In
time must obey its destiny. The Columbia river is
the seat of great naval pre-eminence magnificent
timber-the whole Underwater region of the river $50
miles in length fit for a continuous ship-yard-sup-
piled with every thing from above-secure against the
possibility Of hostile approach from below. North of
the Straits of Fuca it is continued volcanic desola-
ton, where ships will hardly go, much less be built
During three hundred years, 1t has remained and still
remains the derelict of nations Russian fur traders
alone have seated themselves upon of its hyper
borean islands. There is seat for a naval power
on the western coast of North America, except the
Columbia. The Asiaics have no taste for the sea
Columbia then, will be the carriers, almost exclusive
ly, between eastern ASIA and its myriad of islands,
on side, and all Mexico, California. and North
west America, the other; and rich will be the
profits of such carrying / set it down another of
the great advantages of the Columbia.
The grasses Of the country, indigenous they are,
and in the wild state, named by Captain Fremont
among its natural advantages, of national
aud individual wealth. and the means of changing the
mode of military operations by dispensing with the
heavy commissariat of European armies. Horses for
the men ride on, and cattle for them to feed on,
would both find their support in these grasses and
permit the most rapid and extended movements of
mounted gun-men, cavalry, and horse artillery. He
says:
"Referng to journal for particular descriptions and
Tor sectional boundaries between good and bad Districts
only say, in general and comparative terms, that in that
branch of agriculture which implies the cultivation of grains
and staple crops it would be inferior to the Atlantic States
though many parts superior for wheat while, in the
rearing of fOcks and heIds, would claim high place. Its
grazing capabilities great; and the indigenous
grass there element of national and individual
wealth may be found In fact the valuable grasses begin
within one hundred aud fifty miles Of the Missouri frontier
Pacific Ocean. East of the Rocky noun
ains the short curly which the Buffalo
to feed, whence its name of bualo and which still good
when dy ard apparently dead West Of those mountains
il is larger growth, in clusters, and hence called bunch
grass, and which has second fall growth.
mountains both exhibit them and have good pastur
at an elevation Of ten thousand Feet In this sponane-
product, the trading travelling can find
subsistence for their animals and in military operations
any number Of cavalry may be moved and any number Of
cattle be dven and thus and horses be supported
on long expeditions and in winter in the sheltered
situations" (P. 277.)
Militarily, its advantages vast, and graph
ically sketched by Captain Fremont In his extended
explorations he has viewed the country under every
aspect of natural physical geography, and thus
presents II under It's military aspect in a state of
nature:
The Columbia the only river which the whole
breadth of the county, breaking through all the ranges and
entering the Drawing its waters from section Of
degeee Of latitude in the Roxy Mountains which
lected into stream by three main forks Lewiss CIk
and the north fOk the centre Of the Oregon valley.
This great thence proceeds by single channel the
while its three forks lead each pass
tans which opens the into the interior of the continent
This fact in relation to the rivers of this region gives
immense value TO the Columbia. Its the
and outlet 10 and from the IFS three forks lead the
passes in the mountains il is therefore, the only line Of
communication between the Pacific and interior of North
America and all operations Of commerce. Of national
social intercourse must be conducted upon it, This gives
it value beyond estimation and would involve ireparaole
injury lost In this unity and concentration of its waters
the Pacific side Of continent differs entirely FROM the
Atlantic sde where the waters of the Allegheny mountains
dispersed into many rivers having their different
ces into the sea- and opening lines of communication
with the interior.
"The Pacific is equally different from that Of the
Atlantic The coast of the Atlantic open, Dden
bic every where, and opening by many channels into the
heart of the country The Pacific coast the contrary
high and compact with few bays one opens
into the heart of the countiy The immediate coast what
the call iroabOund little within, it is skirted by
two successive of mountains standing anpars
between The and the interior country get through
which there but gate, and that and easily de-
Tended This structure of the backed by these two
ranges Of mountains with its concentration and unity of
waters, gives to the country an immense military strength
and Will probably render Oregon the most mpTegnabe coun
try in the world."-(pp. 274-5)
Commercially, the advantages of Oregon will be
for atnrfb nf f,a & .