, 1858-08-13
Letter from Point Roberts.
PoINr ROBERTS, July II, Isl

l INC luuu VI BOlu, anu HuuJ nave seer
and heard on the route We left Olympia
on the Sth, and arrived at Whatcom, al
right, on the l4th. We found but little
trouble coming down the Sound in our
canoe, other than head winds and strong
tides We find ourselves tolerable, well
fitted out for the trip-mpch better than
hundreds who undertake the voyage. AL
who undertake to come by way Of the
Sound and river in small boats or canoes
should he well prepared to meet heavy
seas and strong currents. Canoes should
be well strengthened with iron bars passing
on the inside from edge to edge-haVe sew
eral hundred feet of strong rope-a good
anchor and slash boards" at least six
inches high, on the sides. We came on
the left hand side of Whidbys Island, or
between the Island and the main land,
through the canoe passage" which can
be found with little trouble, as large Indi-
an ranches are plenty all the way down.
Ny opinion of Whatcom is, that it is as
near like the city of Sodom of old as ever
town could well become in this advanced
day of the world, and if fire does not come
down out of Heaven and devour it soon, l
feel confident that it will lay "Sodom and
fGromorrow in the shade. However, if
Ijndge Alright, there is fair prospect for a
bursting forth of mighty volcano soon,
from its own internal fires" Vice and
immortality Of every description is practced
there at MONDAY, which will require the
firm arm of vigilance committee to arrest.
/ presume there is at this time near three
thousand people in and around Belliugham
Bay, large proportion Of whom, if not
majority, are living in tents and canvass
houses, and under the shade of trees. l
include Whatcom, Sehome and Bellingham
Bity all under the general name Of What
com, alias Sodom. Improvements are dri.
wing ahead, however, at a rapid pace
wharves building, timber bnrning, houses
going up as fast as lumber can be procured,
and everything raging, ripping and roar
ing, all striving for the same thing, viz ;
" the root of oil evil" was favored with
a perusal of Capt. DeLOcy's letter, which
l presume you have seen in the shape of an
extra from the Northern Light. The most
important news is that the trail would
be completed in about ttCO or three ioeckS.
am not disposed to doubt Capt. DeLacy's
word, but will say that at the time he
wrote, the company of road cutters had To-
cut moro than 90 miles further, and three
ferry boats were to build and place in
readiness for shipping across as many lakes,
besides other minor improvements yet to-
be made in the way of grading and bridg-
ing and as to several large pack trains
having started out viz this trail, it is not
the case. No pack trains have yet started
other than those designed to convey pro-
visions to the road cutters 1t it true that
many have started by way of the trail on
foot for Thompson river, carrying their
packs on their own backs, say so lbs. Of
" grub" to the man. But what can they
do? their provisions will scarcely land
them on the river, and if all accounts are
true, there is no chance Of getting any
there.
There is near one hundred stores and
trading establishments in Whatcom, and
much competition exists All articles suit
able for miners outfit, except -four and
bacon, eau be bought in Whatcom at least
40 or so per cent. cheaper than in Stella
COON or Olympia, and unless the merchants
up there will fall "snake or two," and
not aim to make their pile " in one day,
l would advise oil persons designing to go
to the mines by way of either the What
com trail or Frazer river, to come to
Whatcom, il by the trail, or Point Rob
erts, if by way of the river, and buy their
outfits, as much trouble, besides danger OF
losses will be avoided.
We left Whatcom on Thursday evening,
and arrived here last night, having crossed,
or rather passed down the Gulf of Georgia,
a wide sheet of water for small boats to
venture on, as the winds have fair sweep,
and create heavy sea. consider this
by far the most dangerous part of the
route, and it cannot possibly be avoided
At this place there is springing up a town
which bids fair to become quite a trading
city, having many advantages over any
other place on the American side 1t is
the last point on the American shore for
those going by way of Frazer river to
get supplies. 1t is in 81 ght of the mouth
Of Frazer river. would advise all per-
sons coming from California, who design to
go up Frazer river, to land at this point,
as canoes can be had here equally as cheap,
or cheaper, than at Whatcom, and equally
as fair chance for the building Of small
boats suitable for navigating the river.
This point is certainly beautiful site for q
town, with fair harbor and good sandy
beach for landing small boats. Those
going to Whatcom to fit out for Frazer
river have to cross the much dreaded Gulf,
some 25 miles, upon which there is almost
constantly heavy and rough sea, which
is very dangerous for small boats; whereas,
by fitting out at this place, which can be
done equally as cheap, or cheaper, than at
Bslling ham Bay, this Gulf is avoided, be-
sides being some so miles nearer the mouth
Of the river.
There are many reports in circulation up
the Sound which are false One, for in.