, 1860-02-10

the Columbia, he sailed from NOotka for tho
purpose Of discovering the river San Rogue, and
on the 9TH Of May, l792, he discovered . fine
bay which he named BuIlfinch harbor but II has
since beeh called Gray's Harbor. On the 11th
of May, at daybreak. he sailed from Gray's har-
Dor, and att PM. discovered and entered the
great river Of the west, which he named after his
ship; the Columbia.
During the autumn Of 1880 the slcop Wash
iHgtOn, under command Of Capt. Eendrick; sailed
up the straits of Fuca and cireumnGvigated the
great island altorward called Quadra or Vancou-
Vcr's Island. This Was the first vessel that ever
made the passage around the island, and the
credit Of the discovery belongs to an American.
John Kendrick is to be considered as the first
person belonging to q civilized nation who sailed
through the Strait Of Fuca, after its discovery
by the Greek Pilot in l5S2
1t is proper here I'd make honorable mention
Of Capt. Gray, the discoverer Of the Columbia
river Nc discovery by an American navigator
has ever been Of such practical benefit to the
United States as was that effected by the Ameri-
can fur trader.
We should not forget those who, in humble
sphere, have acted part in their day and gener-
alton which shoud ehtitle them to the grateful
remembrance Of their countrymen. While we
laud the deeds Of heroes, aud do honor to those
who fought for their country, we should not for
get those unostentatiOus individuals, who, while
| in the quiet pursuit Of their duties, work out
great benefits to their country In tho peaceful
paths Of commercial enterprise.
An ancient writer says there are many ways
in which men can serve their country" Patriot
ism, like all other love, imposes no special duty
II is universal inspiration OF service. In time
Of war, the man who manages ship so as 10 Sc
cure peace to his country is a patriot. In time
Of peace, the man who huilds or sails q ship, so
III ha ii h,yt
diffusion Of the benefits Of commerce; is no less
a patriot.
Capt Gray, on his return to Boston from his
first voyage, took with him as passenger; the
Crown Prince of the Sandwich Islands. The
ovation rendered him by the authorities Of that
city was equal to anything ever offered to DR..
Kane the great Arctic explorer. The remem-
brance Of that event is still fresh in the minds Of
many, and was related TO me by an eyewitness
during my yisi; t. the Eastern States, two years
since
The ship, said my informant, was absent three
years, and had not been heard from for a large
pOrtOl Of the time; when, in tho summer Of
$780, OH fine afternoon, strUnge ship, bearing
the Stals and stripes Of our country, arrived
abreast Of the castle and fired a national salute
winch was promptly returned by that fortress.
The firing was distinctly seen aud heard from
Boston, and soon the news spread that the Co.
LumGiU had r, turned, The Inhabitants by thou
sands filed Long wharf, and the artillery was or
derod out As the ship came to anchor off the
tnl Of the wharf, cheer upon cheer filed the
air, while salvos Of artillery shook the neighbOrs
il 6 hills
The ship having returned the salute of the
city, the Custom-hOuse barge was manned, when
the venerable Gen. Lincoln, the Collector Of the
Port with the owners Of the ship, repaired on
board. Capt. Gray and the Prince came ashore
with them, and, on landing, were received by the
shouts Of the multitude, and again were they sa-
luted by the artillery.
Gov. Hancock having sent his adutant-gen
to welcome them, procession was formed and
marched to the Governors mansion on Beacon
street, where grand banquet was held.
The Prince remained in Boston a few months,
and then returned to the Sandwich Islands In the
ship. This was the first of our intercourse with
the Islanders, aud from it sprung all that friendly
feeling which is kept up to the present day. Capt
GTay's achievements were as much thought of at
the time Of his return, as even those Of our more
recent explorer DR. Kane Although not accom-
panied with scientific research, yet the lasting
practical benefit 10 our country can be most iav-
orably compared with any useful result that has
or will emanate from the voyages Of the great
Arctic explorer, Capt Gray was the first navi-
gator who carried the American flag around the
world.
At the time Of Gray 5 discovery Of the Colum-
bia, 1889; the headquarters Of the fur-traders
was at Nootka Sound, Prince Williams Sound
and Co ks river. But the country about Moot
ka being well supplied with wood for shp5ui!ding,
and having more agreeable climate than could
be found further north, was generally selected as
the point Of destination, rendezvous, and depar
ture by the traders. There was nearly all the
time one or more white men living ashore, and
ol,nnst op, nf kha kradn..s enI1ld fallg khn
NOOtka language, which was the general language
Of that part Of the coast This fact should be
borne in mrd as it will be the means Of arriving
1t certain facts relative to the jargcn CT trade
language, to whiah shall presently refer.
The first settlement ever made in Washington
Territory was at Ncah Bay, during the summer
Of 1890, by Lieut.. Quimper, in the sloOp Princes
EGydL who was sent by order Of Elisa; the
Spanish Comlnandant at NoOtka, to explore the
Strait Of Juan de Fuca. The settlement was
called Nunez Gaona, as was also the bay, which
was afterwards called, by the fur traders, Pow
erty Cove, and now goes by its Indian name Of
Neah.
The s, ttlcment was at NCah village, at the
head of the bay, but all traces Of it arc now
Obliterated, save lew Of tho old tile which are
occasionally dug ont from the rubbish During
a recent visit to Ncah Bay, succeeded in dig
ging out some forty or f1y Of these tiles, but
they are covered with oil sorts Of deposits thrown
up by the Indians, SO that it is impossible to tell
what quantity there may be there. Some Of the
old Indians informed me that the building was u
large one story brick house, with a shingle roof
and surrounded by stockade. The Spaniards
did not remain there long; and, after they lcft,
the Indaus set fire to the house and destroyed it
Some time afterwards they threw the bricks
down into a brook which runs near by, and
planted potatoes on the spot where the house
stood.
From year TO year they have thrown refuse
matter on the heap, till now it is covered with
some six feet Of earth, with a thick growth Of
noea k,,shaa n,,l .Llav., ,,~.r