Washington standard. [volume] (Olympia, Wash. Territory) 1860-1921, 1860-12-15

upon as very important pOlllt, us all
vessels passing through the Santa Bar
barry Channel, the mail steamers inclu-
dcd, had to make it, and its position
was so variously laid down on different
maps. as to render it somewhat an OBJ
jcct Of dread.
TIE WORK OF 1850.
Tn II days from their arrival, the par
ty left San Francisco in the barque B"rn-
hon,, for Point Conception. All their
instruments. cquipagc and stores, were
landed ut the mouth of FL Coso. The
party were Davidson, Lawson and
Rockwell, as Mr.. Harrison did not ar
rive in California for several weeks af
forwards. Having no cook, a man was
hired to act in the latter capacity ; but
at the end of three weeks he got tired
of frying pork, and making detestablc
coffee, and getting permission to go
down to Santa Barbara lie forgot to re-
turn; but had not forgotten to draw a
months pay. During the remainder of
their stay, some two months, therefore,
the officers were under the necessity OF
performing all kinds of labor.
At the conclusion Of the work at the
place, the instruments, tents, and all
the cuuipacc that could be taken away,
were packed on mules to Santa Barba-
ia: and after remaining there three
weeks, the party took passage on fish
ing smack for San Francisco. While
they were engaged in making the office
work, intclli yence came of a new apprO-
priation being made by Congress, with
orders to retit the party. This was inn
mcdiatcly done, and they started for
Monterey in the L. $. {. S. schooner
E~ing, huta heavy southeast gale COM
PEELED them to return for repairs. On
the 2nd of january, 1851, they again
started on the propeller Carolina, and
arrived there in safety.
THE WORK OF 1851.
The party cncampcd on Point Pinos,
near Monterey. All the operations
were under the charge of Mr.. Davidson,
who personally performed all the astro-
nomicaI work, aided by Mr.. Rockwell,
while the Typographical work was done
by Mr. Harrison and Mr.. Lawson. AZ
ter two months work at this place, the
party went to San Diego.
About the end Of June, they went to
the mouth of the Columbia River, en-
camping on the North Head. Cape Dis
appointment, and in October they went
to Port Oxford. At each of these pla-
ccs. except the last, surveys were made,
and positions reported upon tor the To-
cation of lighthouses.
While at Port Oxford, orders came
for Mr. Harrison to be detached and as
sumo charge Of separate party. lie
went to San Diego to finish the survey
of the bay, and extend it to the Mcxi-
can boundary. Mr. Lawson went with
him.
THE WORK OF 1852.
Mr.. Davidson returned to San Francis
co in January, and located his camp in
the little valley southwest of the Pre-
sidio, and commenced a regular series
of astronomical observations. In April
he started on a tri ip with over twenty
chronomctcrs, in the steamer Act;re, for
the purpose of making the necessary
Astronomical determinations for the re-
connoissancc from San Francisco to
San Diego. The first of these trips was
abruptly brought to q close by the
breaking down of p. NJ. S. S. Caltor-
MA, which put into San Pedro, where
the Actttc then was. The mails were
transferred to the latter, and taking al
so few of thepasscngcrs, the commiss-
ion for locating docks, navy yards, etc,
she started for San Francisco. Some
repairs were found necessary to the Ac-
tee, so that nearly a month elapsed be-
fore she was again ready to start for the
completion of the work. On the re-
turn of the Actirc, Mr.. Davidson 8 whole
party was placed on board, and trans
portation furnished to Cape Flattery.
They remained in camp at Ncc-ah Bay
about two anda halfmonths, and for the
purpose of executing such Topographic
cal work as might be found desirable in
connection with the astronomical, Mr..
Lawson was ordered to report to Mr..
Davidson for duty, and continued with
the latter until he became chief of the
party in January, 1858.
While at this place, the party Consist
ing of nine persons) were in continual
danger from the attacks Of Indians, who
were very numerous in that vicinity.
A plot was made to kill them all and
plumber the camp, but was fortunately
discovered, and by showing themselves
prepared for the emergency, the Indi-
ans retired. After that regular guard
was maintained throughout the night.
In the execution Of the Typographical