, 1853-07-30

disagreeable than we had before found it,
and l felt heartily glad to get back to the
surveying parties.
On the l2tb, at seven O'Clock, we began
our surveying operations, and after hard
days work, joined Lieutenant Cases party,
when l took charge of the whole. My
force, which now consisted Of seven boats
and their crews, was sufficiently strong to
make rapid progress: the putting mp Of sig
mails, the triangulation, and soundings, were
all carried on at the same time. When We
reached our encampment at night, The rough
draft Of our days work was completed
We continued thus employed until the l7th,
when we reached the ships, having complct-
ed the surveys Of all the numerous branch
es Of this sound these all afford safe navi-
cation for large vessels. The land is low
and we'll covered with various kinds of trees,
among which the pine predominates the
other trees, consisting Of spruces, oaks, ar
butus, alderS, and great quantities Of serin-
gias in full blossom, reminded me of our
gardens at home. The perfume Of the flow
ers scented the air for long distance around
Some of the seringia bushes were from II
10 ID feet high.
The soil is in some places good, but in
others quite light and sandy. Al the heads
of all the branches there are extensive mud
flats, and some small patches of salt mead
ow. We did not meet with many natives !;
those who inhabit this region were probably
employed in taking fish, and they seldom
remain in any place beyond the time neces-
sary for this purpose.
On my return TO the ship, found that
Lieutenant johnson had returned, with the
party of which he had charge. / shall
therefore give in this place an account of
their journey, and the country thro' which
they passed, referring the reader 10 my or
ders TO Lieutenant Johnson, in Appendix
XII, for the route intended 10 be passed
over, and the duties to be performed. But
before leaving Nisqually, have a few words
10 say about its position, and the Indian tribe
of that name.
The situation of Nisqualy is badly cho-
sen for trade, for the anchorage is of small
extent, and only a few vessels can be ac-
commodated within reasonable distance of
the shore. 1t would also be much exposed
to the south west winds, and the hill is an
insuperable objection TO its becoming place
of deposit for merchandise, as ii would very
much increase the labor and expense Of
transportation The Nisqually fort or post
was chosen, as have been informed, before
the Company had an idea of transporting
any articles by water. II has, however,
one great recommendation, in the ease with
which water may be obtained from the stream
that flows in abreast Of the anchorage =
Much better places than NisqualIy could be
found in this vicinity, for the location OF a
town. There is one, in particular, just
within Kitron's Island, about mile and
half 10 the north of Nisqually anchorage,
whero the shore has considerable indenta-
zion. There, although the water is deep,
vessels would be projected from the winds
which blow most violently, from the south
west, south east, and north west, and also
from any sea, while Nisqually is not this
place is equally well supplied with water,
and the hill is by no means so precipitous.
The spring tides were found TO be eight
cen feet. those of the neaps twelve feet
High water, at the full and change, at
Oh ION, p. NJ. During the whole Of our
stay, there was found to be great discrep-
ancy between the day and night tides, the
latter not rising as high as the former by two
feet.
The country in this vicinity is thought 10
be remarkably healthy, and on all these salt
water inlets, the winter is represented to be
mild, and but OF short duration. The mean
"a, "a ,lar frrAnp1 I.,ea,r
our stay at the observatory, from the 2OIh of
May til the Eth of July, was found TO be
80 5. ! was not fully satisfied that this rec.
urd gave correct results for the mean tenn
ptrature of the climate, although frosts do
not penetrate the ground; for by the same
manner Of trying it, and under almost the
same circumstances, at Astoria, we obtained
only "a, although that place is a degieo to
the south of Nhqually.
The geographical position of Nisqually
will be found in the tables. The greatest
range of temperature was found to be IS,
the lowest 81 and the mean, du ing the
same period, G3.S7: the barometer standing
at 90 go in.
The Indians around Nisqually are few in
number, and the whole tribe does not amount
to two hundred, including men, women, and
children. They belong to the tribes who
llatten their heads, and are represented as
vicious and exceedingly lazy, sleeping all
day, and sitting up all night to gamble. So
strong is the latter propensity among all
these tribes, that it is said, that after parting
with all their moveable property, they will
60 so far as to stake their wives and children,
and lastly even themselves for years OF
slavery.
Their clothing seldom consists of more
than blanket, pair Of skin Lreechcs, and
moccasins. Little or no distinction Of rank
seems 10 exist among them the authority
Of the chiefs is no longer recognised, and