Polynesian., 1853-01-08

We have nd iced on former occasions the desi-
rable countryln oregon to the north of the Co
llumbia river, as one offering great inducements to
settlers and ~ith which, when it has larger pop
ulation. c.nmercial intercourse might be profita-
blv unftrtaken. 1t is country abounding with
t;mb,r, coal, salmon, &c. wanted here, and for
wtfch they will need in exchange, the sugar, mo-
hsses,syrup, coffee and salt of these islands.
[ 1t till be remembered that the U. S. S. of wal
Vintennes, Com. Hudson, sailed hence in Janu-
aryls52, for that part of the coast. On her re-
IN to New ofsk, an account of her cruise was
,lStblished, from which we take the following ex-
tract, relating to the country alluded to.
From the islands, the ship proceeded to Lucas
Straits and Puget's Sound, making the passage In
thirteen DAYS the passage TO the islands was made
in fifteen days from San Diego. The northwest
winds and trades in this ocean, afford great facll-
tiles for sailing vessels IN getting either to the
east or west. Clippers have made the passage to
China in thirtyfour days, and back IN thrty-eight;
no doubt but this can be averaged. 1t would be
well. before large sums expended in building
steamers TO reflect on this circumstance.
I.uca's Straits and Pugets Sound form together
beautiful sheet of water, extending l5O miles IN
to the heart of the country-lt Is IN manJ places
not so wide as the East river at Brooklyn Ii is
filed with nnumerable islands-many OF great
extent. others of only about thousand acres
The smaller ones, each of which, In fifty years,
will be an estate of great value combining as they
do every advantage of soil and position, have not
now an owner or even name. Most OF the land
is covered with dense forest, principally the gl-
rantic Oregon Pine. Several saw-mlls have been
erected, or are in the course of erection, and Sc
veral small vessels are engaged IN Transporting
lumber to San Francisco. The Vincennes sailed
SLOWLY I'D this great inlet, now IN the middle OF the
stream, and again her yards almost touching the
overhanping branches, frequently anchoring on ac-
count of currents or loss of wind. For the most
mart of the distance the perfect solitude Is oppres-
s1ye. The smoke of settlers cabin dissipates 1t
for while; and it is again thrown oil by the ap-
pearance of half dozen canoe loads OF Indians.
AT several points, where large bodies OF Indians
were collected the crew was exercised at target
shooting with the great guns, tor the purpose OF
exhibiting to these of the forest the superior
power of the white man, and showing the utter fu-
tIity of any attempt on their part to try strength
with him. The crashing of the thirty-two pound
shot through the forest looping off great branches,
and often the top of the tree itself, the explosion
of the Paixhain shells and the of the heavily
charged guns, re-echoed back with great effect,
quite amazed and astonished the poor creatures
The women covered their heads with their blan-
kets. and threw themselves In the bottoms of the
canoes. while the men, notwithstanding their sto-
icsm. betrayed no little anxiety. No doubt an ex-
hibtion of this kind has very tranquilizing eff
feet upon them, and IS worth dozen loIg speeches
oy any Indian agent.
Those Indians are the same in habits and ro.r
ners as those described in Irvings Astoria as in
habiting the country about the Columbia river