New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1851-01-14
WASHINGTON.
Postage BiII-Gov. HUNTS Messsge-Acceun
of the Discovery OF Columbia River.
Correspondence Of The Tribune.

WARRINGTON. Saturday, an. H.
The Postage Bill arrived nearly to the end OF
talking time to day, as it will be only subject here
after to FIVE minute, Speeches The prospects Of
a three and FIVE cent rate are not SO hopeful as
they were, and there is some cause to fear that a
Uniform fivecent rate will be strongly insisted up
on Movements having in view the abolition OF
the ranking privilege are endangering the bill to
a considerable extent. A few five minute speech
es WILL however, throw considerable light upon the
subject
Gov. HUNTS Message is very well received
here BY the great body of Southern Wings In
fact with rather more favor than seems to have
been accorded by portion Of the Northern Wing
press.
A friend has handed me the following interest
ing account Of the Discovery OF Columbia River.
The fate of poor Gray certainly deserves to be
substantially remembered.
In the Senate, Thursday, 9th inst. MIR. WIN
THROP. from the Committee on Public Lands sue.
mtted Report in writing, accompanied by oil
granting township of land IN Oregon to MIS-
Martha Gray, widow of Capt. Gray, the discOverer
of the Columbia River in 1892. The hrst voyage
made by citizens Of the United States to the
northwest coast was made in 1857, when that
prince of Boston merchants, Joseph Darrell, who,
with John Derby, Charles Bultinch and others,
fitted out, at an expense of over $50 900, the snip
Columbia and sloOp Washington, under charge Of
camille adventure and maritime discovery. They
were instructed by their owners not to touch at
any part OF the Spanish dominiOns, but to proceed
along the coast northward, searching Tor rivers or
harbors not explored by Capt. Cook or any former
navigator and also that it would not be amlss II
they purchased some advantageous tract OF land
in the name of the owners Taking with them the
sea letters granted by the President, George
Washington under the seal Of the United States,
and by Gov. John Hancock Of Massachusetts,, with
the certificate of cargo from Benz. Lincoln, Col
lectOr of the port of Boston, these enterprslng men
sailed forth to unfurl the American flag upon an
ocean 1t never yet visited, and to plant 1t upon an
unknown shore.
They first explored the Straits of De Fdca, It'd.
ing of which led the British Admiralty to send
out Vancouver with instructions TO examine and
survey the coast and ascertain the certainty OF
Hendricks chart. In 1891 Kendrick bought OF the
native chiefs large tracts of land about Nootka
Sound and took deeds, authenticated copies OF
which were deposited by Thomas Jefferson in the
Department of State in 1898, where they may
now be seen. Sailing thence TO the coast OF China
the Washington, with its papers and valuable
cargo OF furs was lost on the 29th September
1871. The Columbia returned to Boston IN 1890
Notwithstanding the returns OF the first were very
discouraging, Messrs Darrell & Bulfnch sent out
Capt. Gray on a second voyage with the same in
structions In April, 1892 Gray met the British
Capt. Vancouver, who treated with derlslon
Gray's declarations that he had been nine days
"off the mouth of large river in the lat. 49, TO-,
where the outset or rehux was so great as to pre-
vent his entering" and was positive that no such
river could be found. But this only served to
stimulate the enterprise of the Yankee sailor,
who, with unparalleled onorSy aud bravery re-
turned to the breakers, resolved to penetrate the
waters of the river he was sure he had discov.
cred, and which had rolled for ages through un-
known regions, or to perish in the attempt. The
result of that daring enterprise has given to our
country her claim to our possessions on the Pacific
Coast, with it's millions of acres OF land unsur-
passed in fertility and richness, while the ex-
penses of the expeditions impoverished the b ar
rels, Bulfnches and other owners, and thus de-
prived of further employment from them the no
Bile Capt Gray. In our late treaty with Great
Britain, by an oversight the Government ne.
elected to make a reservation OF the claims OF
American citizens to any portion falling north OF
lat. AGO. or what appears still more strange, to
assert it's claim the Straits of De Fuca. and
Vancouver's Island from the prior explorations
and purchases of Gray and Kendrlck
The heirs of the owners and the widow oil Capt
GRAY have often pettioned for some remunera-
ton for their expenditures and losses for some
testimonial for their services. Their joint memo
rial is in the hands Of the Committee, meanwhile
the widow who is now nearly three score years
and ten, and being in need of immediate relief
ere il be too late for her infrmties, has made her
separate prayer, which she hopes will receive
more speedy action. Would it not be generous
as well as lust to bestow relief, and at the same
time TO express a nations gratitude for such val
liable Services