New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1857-09-08

limo DO As Harper Brothers.
The portion of tue Northwest Coast situate
between the Straits Of Fuca and the Columbs
River, reaching from 469 lG' to ia 30 y latitude,
ia reeion which has attra .ted little attention from
explorers .ince the times Of Meares and Vancouver
who, nearly seventy years ago made ssseral interest.
il discoveries in that quarter Of the Pacific Ocean.
Mr.. Swan, who has given an intelligent account Of
bis residence for three years in that Ice Atty, was
established at point called Shoal water Bay about
twenty. seven miles north Of the mouth of Coumb;s
River, fine piece Of water, which was FIRST sur.
yeyed BY Lieut.. Alden of the United States Coast
year that our author joined the little fishing settle
ment, consisting of fifteen persons, who were then
the only white inhabitants Of the region.
Shosi-wster Bay is a broad sheet Of water,
abtupdDg in shoals, from which it takes lis NAME
though the rivers which run into il have worn deep
ohann els, that at all times Of tide afford good an
chorage and plenty OF water. The shoals
covered with shell FISH, among which are several
varieties Of clams, shrimps, mussels and small
species Of sand lobster, which is favorite article
Of diet both with the Indians and the settlers
Oysters are very abundant, aud are exported in
large quantities TO san Francisco Excellent salmon
and sturgeon are found 10 the waters of the bay.
The rivers and mountain streams are alive with
trout Turbots, coles, founders, hatfsh, are plen-
tu and in the Spring Of the year, uyrials Of her,
ring make their annual visit Ia the bay, and are
easily caught by the indians in nets, or in rude
wers and traps, which they construct Of the t~igs
ard light ,brubbery that are found on the banks.
The shores Of the bay are mostly composed of
high banks of sandy clay, mixed with shells and
the remains OF ancient forest trees that have been
buried for sges Around the bay the land is coz
cred with dense growth Of gigantic foresttrecs,
principally spruce, CIR aid cedar with an occasional
spriDkliDg Of maple ash, and back alder. The
prairies are covered with grass Of au excellent
quality, aHording good grazing for stock, or nu-
tritous fodder when cut aud made into hay. The
woods are filed with elk, deer and antelope which
find abundant susteDance at all seasons of the year
The other wild animals are black bears, wolves,
bpxes, psnthcrs, racoons squirrels, miuks, mar
tins, aDd an odd variety Of rat which seemsto
delight in mischief as charming recreation. otter
and beaver are in every stream. Tire birds flock
around the bay in clouds. The most common are
bite and black swans, white geese, Canada geese
brant, shedrake, cormorants, coOns. malard ducks
red head gray, and canya. back ducks, teal curleS
snipes pover, pheasant, quail, pigeons, and robins
In the Summer months the pelican sails through
the air in its heavy lazy fight, occasionally lashiDs
down toto the water in its clumsy fashion 20 catch
G.h, AID at all times an easy prey to the Indians.
who swallow its coarse, oily, rsucid flesh with tho
ru.io of 81 epcure over Dclmonieo's Spanish
mscAfrel. Hooks Of eulls are constantly on the
wing, ard they also furnish dainty Wand to the
Ihdian appetite Porpoises and ,cals pursue their
gsmbols in the hey, and the after are easily killed
with spears or by shooting. Thoir ilesh 10 not bad
eating and their blubber makes excellent oil, which
is in high esteem on the tables Of the natives.
During the Winter and Spring months many stag
Cling whales are thrown ashore on the besch Dor.
deriDg the Pacific, afording plenty Of blubber for
the aboriginal market. The oils of the salmon,
SEAL and whale form the same important part Of the
domestic economy Of the Indians On the coast as
lard butter, ard olive oil among the whites. No
Indian who Las not good supply of those unctuous
appliances is considered wel.of, either BY himself
| or his fYlt nds'
The hs,bor of Shoa water Bay must prove Of
great importance to Washington Territory. as soon
| as tie country becomes settled. The entrance 70
il from the ocean is direct and easy. Vessels o;
light draft Of water can run IN at all .mes OF tide
| There il never less than about three fathoms of
water on the bar, nor il there the dangerous swell
which is often found at the mouth Of the Columbia.
| Tie bay has many advantages a. fishing station.
| Ii lie in the immediate vicinity OF the whaling
| ground, ard ieet of five or SIX schooncr Of
| hundred tuns each could be fitted out and main.
TAXED at that point for lees than the cost OF one
| chip from New. Bedford on three years voyage.
The facility Of market would procure compare
lively quick return Of the capital. valuable
trade, too, could probably be established in the
balibut ard cod which abound on this part of tho
| ccast.
The climate at Shoal- water Bay IS very mild, and
never go cold a. in the same parallel OF Latitude on
the Atlsnt;c eOast. The experience of Mr. swan,
in this respect, fully confirms the view presented
by Mr.. LINN Blosse, in bis recent important work
on American CGmstology. The mercury 'e'oom
falls below the freezing point, and rarely rises
sbove 80 Of Fshrenbeit. The wind blows almost
invariably from tie cctaD. During the WINTER
months il Is generally from tie south TO the sou1n
,att bringing warm rains and sometimes accom-
paliCd by thunder aid Nsh!nirg. The cold
pe'er severe, eIcsp. when the WED blows no"
tie northeast and il rarely continues for 10 re than
fortnight st time. Tie wind tdeh returns 70
the south, and warm rain brings OF general
thaw l, is certainly noticeable fact inst al
though Washington Territory is IN tie same 'attsHe