The Washington union. [volume] (City of Washington [D.C.]) 1857-1859, 1857-06-30
INTERIOR DEPARTMENT.

Interesting Report. Reconnaissance ThroaA he COUNTRY
around Chpe Msdoeino The Commissioner OF Indian AZ
fir has received by the last California mail interesting
report of recent exploration Of the Indian reservation y
Mendocino made by James Tobin, esq. We copy as fol-
lows
"In accordance with the proposition made by me on
the 9Th Of January proceeded to the Indian reservation
Of Mendocno and made exploration and reconnaissance
of the coast country far north Cape Mendocino
From the next tribe aeve the reservation took an
Indian who understood and spoke the thiabel
language with which was somewhat familiar. He Oh
tanned three from the next tribe to the north 10
accompany us, and they again others from the sue.
ceeding tribe. In this proceeded to the Cape
where through the medium of FIVE six interpreters
enabled 10 hold intelligent communication with
the Indians of that locality Our interpreters were sub
sequently rewarded with few beads and some shrts
which they received with great demonstrations pleas
We met with very little opposition to our progress
Although ordered back by almost every tribe we en-
countered, disIned opposition by exhibition
of skill as remen amongst the game of the forest
while the stories told Of prowess by the Indians who
accompanied their regard that they treated us
with great consideration, and usually escorted to the
limit Of their territory, beyond which they would not
venture.
.sThey had never seen a white man or a gun and rst
orally fell to the earth trembling on hearing the first dis
charge On witnessing its effects upon the deer elk
bear and SEAL of which shot great numbers their as
then they seemed to understand what had before pe
picked Them how little band of six men could ira,
through their country iearlcssly and independently
81 planted wheat, oats peach-sones and seeds OF vi
rious kinds at every camp and lest their curiosity
might Illustrate the design, planted duplicates at night
unobseryed by them.
Captain Ford the very efficient officer in charge Of
the reservation sent with OF his hunters to look
for good hunting grounds convenient to landing or
der to packing This he succeeded in finding at
point about thirty miles to the north Of the reservation
Appended to the report series Of interesting notes
and observations The crops the reservation look we'll
and large yield may he expected We make the follow
ing extracts:
From Ten Mile river towards the north the county,
of the Camel Pomas there tract of very fertile land
ten miles in extent having fiat gently rolling por
ton from half mile To two miles wdc stretching from
the coast to the foot of Bald Hills, where the finest y
ture be had at all There is but one big
gulch on it. In the next ten miles, still proceeding
northward, there fine fishing streams where salmon
and other fish be caught in great quantities Tbs
tract is rather hy and vast portions of ii covered
with and chestnuts to such an extent that
horses would occasionally walk them for several min
utes without touching the ground This is the countg
of the loa-sal Yoags and the Bdgma -poprty,
'We found very good summer harbor here, and were
much astonished at the quantity of sharks As fara
the eye could reach either side the shore lind
with them for distance varying from hundred ward
to quarter of mile. Incy were of enormous dinner
sions being at least twice the size of the largest eva
saw in the West Indies
g / went down the beach to examine them
closely, and came to the conclusion that they were fish
ing, the shore strewn thickly with the heads
large sized Goldfish upon which the crows guls and cay
otes feasting. We to the conclusion thnta
vast codfshcry could be established here We named The
place Shark Bay In this last stretch there much fine
arabic land.
The writer then concludes by describing the remainder
of the country admirably adapted for the purposes Of
agriculture and capable Of furnishing subsistence to thou
sands.