New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1851-03-17
OREGON.
The Columbia RIver-Pacifc Cuy-Astoria-
Ear Of tho COlum6Ia-AnchOrage Pros
pects Of Pacific cry, sc.
q u o.


UxroN SPRINGS Cayuga Co, Tuesday, March >
MEssRs EDITORS: As public opinion with re-.
gard to the Columbia River is so very incorrect,
and as there are so many vague and indefinite
notions about Oregon in general, 1 propose,
through the medium Of your paper TO state what
know to be correct.
Particularly at this time, when public attention
is so much directed to Oregon, correct intorma-
ton should be given. The false reports with re-
gard to the entrance Of the mouth Of the Columbia
River are operating very injuriously to the poo.
pie of Oregon and ought to be corrected. What
ia it but fancIed danger at the mouth Of the
river that makes shippers charge 81 80 per foot
for freight to Oregon, and so cents to San Fran
cisco-the places being but go miles apart True,
there is bar at the mouth Of the river but there
is water enough on the bar for the largest men.
ocwar TO float over, with a channel Of sufficient
width TO beat in tack for tack and inside there is
one of the finest harbors on the Pacific coast
Even Congress have many ideas with regard
TO the Columbia River, or they would never have
made the Port of Entry at Astoria. When came
from Oregon last Fall, brought with me petit
tons signed by Gov. Gaines and several hundred
try for the Columbia River at Pacific City in
Bakers Bay, that being the first and las. anchor
age in the river, and the only place with q safe
and cOmmodous harbor where large number OF
vessels can lie
Ipresented these petitions, and abored hard
with the Committee on Commerce, to whom they
were refeued) presenting them with statements
from sea Captains, Pilots and others, who had re
sided there tor many years proving that Bakers
A. ~ 81
only place for a Port Of Entry on the Columbia
River; but all to no purpose. Tee bill was passed
making Astoria the Port of Entry, and Pacific
City, Is miles below, Port Of Delivery only.
That Congress may be mistaken some times
with regard to those far of countries for want
of correct information, is not to be wondered at
but 10 make a Port OF Entry on the banks Of the
river ) miles above the mouth and where the
river ia so narrow chat 10 10 difficult for v0ssoi
10 turn round, with Wiks Government Chart
before them, il truly astonishing
But it will be said that Astoria IS an old set1e'
n1ent we have read about when we were boys
at school w q see it marked down on tue maps as
being at the mouth Of the river and that /. Is tue
only place known there Very we'll Let as see
what Astoria is. Some FORT. three years ago J. }.
Astor established a trading post there to trade
with the lndians-he had 10 more idea oil build
ing up g commercial town than Col Bent had
when he built his fort on tho Arkansas River. In
1912 he sold it 70 the Hudson's Bay Go. Since
then they gave it the name Of Fort George, aud
it has renamed & solitary fort until within about
two wears. Lately different individuals have
taken up claims above and below for some i've or
six miles, aud each call their place Astoria.
When Cen Adair came out as Collector, he pur-
chased claim above the fort, built his office about
Two miles from the place which is called Astoria
and commenced building his Astoria. When
left last Fail, be had FIVE small unfinished build
ings one OF them a store and one a boarding
ba al
session of the claim where the fort stood and or
dered the inhabitants what few there were) away.
They call it a reservation for Government pur.
poses. What Government can do with It we are
at loss TO tell for in my opinon'it is neither lit
for fort arsenal light house, or any other pur.
pose but it is generally believed that when the
Home Department relinquish it, (which undoubt-
eddy they will the officers on the ground will
have good chance to claim it.
Hear what Capt Crosby says with regard TO
the mouth Of the Columbia and Astoria, n 4 etter
written to the Hon. S X. Thurston. Capt. Crosby
is a man whose opinion la such matters 10 cOnsl.
dered very good, he having had as much or more
experience than any other person in Oregon. The
letter is dated
PORTLAND. 20. t. Aug g. isi9
"DEAR SIR Your request OF recen. ate Fsachsi me,
asking simple statement Of facts regarding he safely AID
prscrcabiy OF entering and naygsing tho Columbia aud
willamette Rivers. Ia answer Will ssy that during tho
ssi four yesrs have been sailing most VI Tie ue Master
OF cideent vessels from Oregon tho Sandwich ldauds
a
or Chartered Oy uyseH DUNG Lcl Time Dave $1,000 my
own pilot; and have crossed The Bar VI the Columbia
hiTy -four umes and In each month In the year, aud since
ny nfs VOYAGE nave Fever beeI detained over heo Gays
one time FOR chance 10 get come in neither
90 be there was ever three days Ia successoa when
vessel could lot get across he Bar 30 safety"
81 have gene out ard come Ia under almost every cir
cumsiaLce. have beat out and m tack lOr tack wi tie
iad dead head have come IN al aidaiJt ana 10 thick
Jgsb EeateT and never found sas Than fUs Gti0n water
the Bar Of tho Columbia aso believe that The vessels
loaf here were loaf careiessly purpossy and further
believe The Columbia aCcess as The HarbOr OF
Nsw-York7 =
Capt. Augustus Proal, Of the ship Mosconomo,
Of New buryPort, IN letter addressed to me,
speaking OF q voyage he made 10 the Columbia
IN the Spring Of 1921, uses the following language
relating 20 Bakers Bay;
While We lay there, mink remember disincuy or
having stormy weather from what point u ne com
pass cannot now Tecolec but 90 remember tlat INC
perfect ssey and convenience Of me pace a. nee Afoos
was remarked BY the crew getefalY, Il not Unani-
moUsy. ard thak simple reference - The chart Of The
harbor Will confirm ny statement for ne several banks at
ne elraI CO must ever prevent LeeY sea nom coming
n Ifihe banks are not protection 10 Bakers Bay
that part u u which = Otherwise unprotected el tho
archoTage al Fort George Asona) mls be vastly worse
o. or N entirely cIen - Le wloe scope u the broad
mouth ii he liver. AZ ge glance chart u he river
us. convince any csiClSltsed uccrd person Of
TIE ca ,eor'y OF the anchorage Ia Bakers Bay any
olEer spot II that neighboflCCd Of lheHyerr
Bakers Bay, the harbor alluded to, is situated
back Of Cape Disappointment. 1t is protected on
the West, North west, North, North east, and
East, by high lands and on the South east, South,
and Southwest by Sandy Island which is in the
middle Of the river, and at high tide nearly cover.
ed with water bat as Capt. Pfoal says, simple
reference TO the charts will convince any one of
the excellence Of the harbors.
MesSrs. J. P. Edmands and VIM. P Edwards,
men who have been living at the mouth of the
river for several years, and have brought in many
yestels over the bar, thus speak OF the harbors:
Vessels anchor In the Bay from three % twelve
iahoms wafer and he Bay 10 sufhce y cspsciJgs 10
ate several hundred vessels The sing ground
"A IN faff. in ffatr arfs
have seen nine vessels anchored Ia the Bsy n the
same LINE, during he provasuce OF ih- strong s5uthery
gales IN he winter season aud that hey Ell Without
snse exception rode IN perfect safety a. single anchors
Ius sIoor las been used fl De i.s ofy wears.
u All that time gccurcug % ne beet infonaion lhs
chaiu sccdeut has ever happened 10 slnels yea
/ rel anchored 10 Bakers Bay"