, 1855-10-12
From the Alta California, Sept. Il.
Puget Sound.

, the territory on our northwest coast has
I developed the natural advantages known
: to the explorer to have been possessed by
many portions Of that country but no
portion Of our extended Pacific possessions
presents superior attractions to the lover Of
natural beauty, or offers greater induce
ments to the settler, than that portion OF
country lying north OF Columbia river
known as Puget Sound
We propose to pass in review the coast,
from Cape Classet, the entrance TO the
Straits of Juan de Fuca, and point out the
peculiarites Of soil, the facilities for COM
mercial and agricultural pursuits, and such
other information as may interest the
reader.
We cannot, however, commehce our ar
ticle without rendering our thanks to Capt.
Peasc, of the U. 5. Rerenue cutter, jefferson
Darts, a most intelligent and efficient OFF,
Ger, who has given us much valuable inior-
nation in relation to the coast Of Puget
Sound, the indians, natural resources, etc
We have also fully consulted FiMiays
Directory Of The Pacific OccaH, HiLtcs, Sir
George Simpsons Toydge Round The World,
IrriMg's astoria and others.
The name Puget Sound was given to
that beautiful sheet of water extending
south from Admiralty Inlet in compliment
TO Mr.. Puget, an officer attached to the
exploring squadron Of Vancouver, who
originally surveyed it in 1892.
Prior to 1889 but little seems TO have
been known Of the waters extending TO
the eastward and northward Of Cape Clas-
set, the entrance TO the Straits Of Juan de-
Fuca, and Vancouver's Island was sup
posed to be part of the main land, but
in that year its nsulOr character was es-
tablishcd.
We are indebted to the Narrative Of
the Voyages " of Capt. Mearcs, published
in London in 1870, for the first real infor
nation on this point. In the chart ac-
companying the book Of Capt M. is o
sketch Of the American sloop Washington,
which, under the command Of Capt. Ken
drick, in the autum Of 1889, threaded the
intricate strait known as the Georgian
Channel, and verified the report Of De
Fuca, who visited this portion Of the coast
in 1892, two hundred years before.
Captain Cook, in bis voyages, discredits
the report Of Do Fuca in relation to the
real existence Of thebeautiful straits which
bear his name Cook touched the coast
at point just south Of Cape Flattery, and
during the night was blown of the coast
amid thick fog and did not again make
land until of the western shore of Vancou-
vcr's Islund--thus passing the entrance to
the straits, and leaving to other hands the
verifcation Of the wonderful report Of De
Fuca.
Cape Classet, which forms the southern
point Of the entrance to the straits Of Juan
dc Fuca, is in lat. 4e 9 n, and long. 124
46 L. 1t takes its name from an old In
dian chief, Classet. On this cape is re-
mnrkable rock, said to be 400 feet high
and 60 feet in circumference. About half
mile N. w. from Cape Classet arc sever
al small rocky islands, known as the Fa:
touche Islands, on one Of which the Gov
ernment proposes to erect light.
After turning these rocky islands we
have the whole exposure OF the noble
straits Of De Fuca before us, extending
from Cape Classet 05 miles eastward, with
width Of 8 miles at the entrance, and an
average width Of l miles beyond, contain
ing an area Of 1000 square miles, and is
one Of the finest channels in the world, free
from dangers and leading to vast collec-
tion OF fne harbors and safe anchoruges,
the whole unsurpassed by any tract Of
similar extent in The world. The country
possesses overy advantage necessary to the
support Of great commercial people, and
will at some future period act a prominent
part in the history Of our Pacific possess
ions.
The first point Of interest after leaving
Cape Classet is Neeah Bay-the Scar6or-
Ough Har6or OF Wilkes It is small in.
dentation in the coast just within the en-
trance, which is partly sheltered on the n.
E. by Neeah, or Wyadda Island.
The Spaniards attempted to establish
themselves here in 1902, which they called
Port Numez Gaona, and the remains Of
the old fort can still be seen, and some
bricks were found that were supposed to
belong TO it.
A tribe Of Indians reside on the coast
about this point, known Rs the Classet
tribe, and are most numerous and seem the
most intelligent of any Indians on this part
Of the coast. By way Of ornament they
wear small pieces Of iridescent musclc-shcll
attached to the cartilage of their nose,
which is in some the size of ten cent
piece and triangular in shape, and is kept
in motion by breathing. They wear but
little clothing-an old blanket, or an old
pair OF trowsers constitute about all their
wardrobe They trade some in whale oil
and fish Of various kinds, and take in ex-
change spirits, tobacco, powder, beads and
gay-colored cloth.
New Dunginess, the next point of inter
est, is a safe roadstead, 80 miles from
Cape Classet, and is admirably adapted for
a light, as the point projects into the
strait, and light would be seen long
distance both up and down, the water
close to the point being deep and fpee from