The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1846-08-01
no the EDITOR OF THE UNION.

Ga On my return 10 the city, the second series
n passed Midshpman Blalr's evidence as respects
he Columbia river was read.
Sssret that the personal feeling towards Captain
uaison and the commander Of the expedition
IND have induced s. violent an attack upon US
IN and that these causes should have been suffer-
"A 10 influence the memories and reeoleclions OF
80 10 their statements respects the Columbia
SSsr lbs dangers, and the facts relating TO the
survey A., non, .l.;,,,
The Columbia river Is subject una. now claims
L srtsnlion of the country, both in its commercial
veil as diplomatic relations, and II Is all important
49, no false impression should be made or given
.tvs 10 lis entrance, navigation, and capacity for
- To avoid this have deemed il necessary TO
Sor,,ci the misstalements put forth.
In charity, | can make some allowances for young
0He,rs who give opinions from memory alone, after
n. apse OF five years. but the public will agree
~ith me that they not TO be put In comparison
-rih the statements of the log-book Ia which the
transactions are noted by the parties themselves on
The day they occurred
This in the present instance, Is the case. | In
,,nd 10 bring, not my own testimony against Messrs
Knox, Reynolds, and Blair, but the log-book Of the
FLYING Fish, kept by them, and the orders and re-
ports given TO, and made oy Mr.. Knox 70 me.
Now as respects the survey OF the mouth Of the
Columbia riyer. have already shown by whom the
trsnguation was made; and the following orders TO
Mr. Knox clearly shows that he did not conduct
The survey nor was he left 10 rely upon his own
udTmsnt as has positively but enormously been
stated by Passed Midshipmsn Reynolds.
Copy Of ordrs 10 Posed yusd'hipmm KnOr
U. =. BRio PokPoIsE,
of Astoria, August I6, l84l.
s,Gg Accompanying this you will receive two
.ksIe,on charts embracing the mouth Of the Colum.
bia river, and as far up as Tongue Point.
Although have pointed out to you verbally the
duty that Is 10 be performed, and the manner in
which wish the work you are intrusted with ex-
eeulsd, think proper togye written directions as
to your manner of carrying il on.
isL You will be very particular TO prevent any
unnecessary risk 10 your vessel, her crew, or boats
for YOU must be well aware that on her and their
preservation much Of the future duties Of the expe
dluon depend. Although the Flying Fish is well
adapted 10 the performance of the daues you
about TO undertake, yet il is very necessary to be
CAUTIOUS in not Iisklng too much even IN her.
%. The points Of the main trianguation have
been conveniently located, and be easily distin-
guished from the bar, and in the north and south
channels, and will be seen whenever the weather
will permit you to work there.
Sd. In taking up position with the Flying Fish,
you will always place her by angles on three or
more points OF the main triangulation. When Ak
ed, you will at mark the stations on the chart
then you will radiate the lines Of soundings with
the boats from the schooner, establishing the radi
aIing lines OF the boats by observations from the
schooner either by azimuths, or angles, or signals
The officers in the boats will FIX the end Of the lines
sounded by the height Of the mast Of the Flying
Fish when at a short distance, and when more
remote by three or more points, the schooner be-
ing one Of them.
lth. The souadings must be transferred to the
chart soon as possible after they are taken, in
order that you may see the actual progress you
making, and 10 allow you 10 verify any points, or
Gil up any omissions
5th. When the sounding lines reach the shore or
sand banks, they must be fixed by three points OF
the triangulation. These minor points win enable
you to trace the shore line with accuracy, and
sketch in from station to station. need not say to
you that il is ofimportance they should be accurate
ly observed, attended to by yourself and as numer-
Gus possible
9th. apprhend much difficulty in your work
in the north and south channels, as the tides are ex-
tremely rapid and il will be seldom that the boats
can be used, except near slack-water. Slack-wa-
ter, though Of short duration, will afford you time
to effect much in, if properly improved. You must
sta times be cautious in using the boats when the
de is strong. VT.
It'll. You must not remain at anchor outside the
capes in either channel over nght-fal You will
either anchor in Bakers hay, inside Cape Disap-
pointment, or within Point Adams, on the ciatsop
shore. ..
9Th. The bar and channels outside the capes will
claim your earliest attention. Every favorable oppor
tunity that the weather presents must be improved
to complete those parts of the work. When the
weather proves unfavorable for that part Of the
work, you will be able to employ yourself in the
river above the Middle Sands or about Astoria.
9th A tide-staff will be kept at Astoria; but you
will, while employed in sounding, note particu-
lary the variation of the depth Of water alongside,
and the time; your soundngs will be reduced &C
cordingly.
10Th. You will apprise me of your proceedings
from time to time, and Immediately if any accident
should befal you.
Mr.. Ed, and his party, are daily expected from
Gpys Harbor you will render him all the aid in
your power. Mr.. Coboocoresses is ordered to re-
port to you Cor duty; if you have duty for him. de.
tain him; if not let him Join me at Vancouver.
Wishing you success in carrying out these in
structions, am, with respect, yours, DC
CHARLES WILKES,
Commanding Elk. Elk.
To Act Master SAML. R. KNOX,
Commanding Flying Fish,
To the accuracy Of the survey Of the mouth Of
the Columbia river even these officers bear testi-
mony. little expected the credit they have given
me unintentionay, that the triangulation was
completed in a day''-a credit l can by no means
accept. They no doubt forgot to allow for the time,
trouble and thought, the examination and prepare
ton cost that were incidental to its accomplish
tanly nothing whatever to do. But am very far
from wishing to detract from him. 1t has afforded
me great qualification all times to bear testimony
how we'll he carried outthe instructions given him
lave to the soundngs, Notwithstanding the impede
ments he met with in the loss of his boats, either
caused by the badness of the harbor, or the care
iessness and want of watchfulness of his officers,
Messrs, Reynolds and Blair.
The reports of Mr.. Knox, written in obedience to
the above orders, will give some insight into what
his experience of the mouth Of Columbia river was,
and will show what were the difficulties he had to
contend with A comparison between them and his
letter to Mdshipman Blair, shows a discrepancy that
is not easily to be accounted for.
Mr.. Knor TO Captain Wilkes.
SCHOONER FLrNa FISH,,
Fort George, August %, 184l.
SR Mr. Ed with his party arrived yesterday, and
came up to this place with them in the afternoon;
he will leave for Vancouver to-day, if possible.
have been obliged, while awaiting his party, to
work in the vicinity Of Cape Disappointment and
have sounded and laid in the shores from the cape
as far up the bay as line between the Sand island