The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1851-01-14

liar institution of u weekly hop will 90 on, al
though a weekly supper at two or three hundred
dollars is costly enterprise, II the guests FORE
WASHINGTON, Jan. 10, 1851.
The Columbia River IFidoto of Captain Gray,
its DtscOursr
Mr. Winthrop, on the 9th inst,, from the Com
mttee on Public Lands, reported bill TO the Sc
nate granting township Of land in Oregon to Mrs
Martha Gray, widow of Capt. Robert Gray, who
discovered and entered the mouth of Columbia
River. llth May, 1892. This is just though tardy
remuneration to the aged widow of that bold nayi-
gator, through whose perseverance, and daring such
great benefits have resulted TO our country, and
millions of acres have been added to our domain.
From this discovery our government has ever
founded its claim to the possession Of the North
west coast, and it is one Of our few maratime dis
coveries the honor.and credit Of which have never
been disputed. Captain Cook passed by the mouth
without notice. Vancouver, who had been sent
out by the British Admiralty, with orders TO survey
the shores of the Pacific, positively asserted that
there was no such river as Gray claimed to have
discovered that If any ialet or river should be
found, 1t must be very intricate one, and IN
accessible, owing to the reefs, broken water,
&c. Yet this New England captain, with an
energy and resolution seldom surpassed, and at
the extreme risk of his ship, his fortune aud his
Nc, and in eleven days actually entered the mouth
of the river he claimed TO have before discovered
sailed up its waters fourteen miles, landed upon Its
shores. buried bottle, and planted the American
flag. Says Captain Wilkes, (vol 4, p. 3l3) mere
description can give little idea of the of the
bar of the Columbia. All who have seen it have
spoken of the wildness of the scene, The incessan
roar of the waters-representng it of the
most fearful sights tina! can possibly meet tbs eye
Of sailor" Truly, it required man OF more than
ordinary spirit to be the first in that then lone
coast TO brave the perils from which the more re-
nowned navigators, fitted out and sustained by
royal treasures, shrunk back with dread and dis
may.
Captain Gray died in 1906, leaving widow and
four female children, who have supported the m
selves by their own industry and exertions. The
widow is now advanced TO more than three score
years, and can no longer labor for her support.
She asks for small provision for her last days,
of the services of the husband Of her early
years in the naval service of the United States
during the revolution, and, more particularly, on
account Of this great discovery. We hope the bill
will pass.
WASHINGTON, Jan. IL, 1851.
Adjustment of Fogging IN the Napy-United
States Stock Issxed-Ihe Census Of Vermont.
The Secretary Of the Navy, in his report to the
Senate, upon the operations of the law abolishing
flsgging in the navy, takes the ground that some
mode Of punishment must be substituted, TO take
its place, or it will have to be reinstated in the
code. The evidence which the Secretary briggs
forward to support his position, is Of the cleares,
kind, and takes the ground that if some action is
not taken by Congress, it will be impossible to pre-
serve discipline in the navy. 1t is suggested that
branding and expulsion be introduced, for the most
incorrigible-but the philan1hropist who shudiers
al hardened culprit receiving d0zen, will scarcely
consent that for the same offence, he should have
hot iron plunged into his flesh
II is most unfortunate that Congress should have
]egislated SO precpitately in this matter How
ever repusive logging may be, il must be remem-
recourse to, and that mode should have been
adopted before the former was abandoned. The
Secretary urges immediate action upon the sug-
gestons in his report, as absolutely called for IN
order to preserve the efficiency OF the navy.
The following amount OF United States stock
was Issued on foreign account from the Sd to the