The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1884-08-03
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The latest volume published by Mr.. H. h.
0ANcHoYI. In pursuance Of his comprehensive
purpose. bcars the subtitle OF tho Historv Of
he Northwest Coast and may be regarded ~
aenersl introduction to the contemp plated his
tories Of Oregon. Washington. Idaho. Montana.
and British Columbia. It covers the period be-
tween 1913 and 1900. and recounts tho early OK
plorations OF the spanish and English nayiRa-
tors. the voyages and settlements OF tho fur
traders. the operations ofthe Hudson's Bay and
the Northwest Companies. and discusses at
length the Nootka controversy. There are also
Interesting chapters on tho relation Of France
b the fur trade In the eighteenth century. and
On the participation OF the United States In tho
same trafic ut later day. The volume ends
with An account Of Macxsnzle's journey Of
discovery In tho course OF which he reached tho
Arctic Ocean.
For more than two hundred years aftor the
discovery Of North America tho confguration
Of its northwest coast remained unkno wn. and
multitude OF legends wore current In regard
10 its geography. 30 ongrossed wera the Span.
lsh rulers Of Mexico In developing the resources
u that country. and 80 completely had the ad-
venturous spirit Of tho conqulstndo res van
lshed. that little or no attention was paid to tho
lncesssnt stream OF memorials on the impor-
TANGO Of northern occupation. 1t was not>ln-
deed. till late in the eighteenth century Mat
the well-Rrounded fear Of Russian encroach-
mont caused revival OF exploring energy on
the part OF the Mexican viceroys. series OF
voyages was then undertaken and carried
out by Spain. while English aud Ameri-
ran discoveries made their appearance
On the coast. and. as the Russians we're there
Already. there was soon but little mystery left.
The fabulous Strait Of Anjan. which had 30 long
figured on the maps. was never encountered.
nor did the newcomers ind any OF the marvel
ious things that had been so freely attributed
10 the latitudes AO' and 5O'; there was how
sver. wealth OF furs to those inclined to hardy
and enterprising commerce. and there was q
territory Of sufficient value to engender some
petty national Quarrels. These discoveries put
m end to tho northern mystery. 80 far as 1t had
lfnrmod the existence Of navigable channel
In moderately temperate latituder. The strait
separating Asia from America was still sought
- diligently as ever. but after the lapse OF some
years 1t was learned that this had been discov-
cred By q navigator In the service Of the Rus
sian Government.
1t 10 certainly astonishing that. although the
Philippine treasure ships,had taken a north
srn course In crossing the Pacific since 1865
yet not one OF them 10 known to have sighted
any point OF the American coast north OF the
California line. 1t Is Just possible that one
Spanish and one English navigator Gall and
Drake. may have pushed little beyond the
latitude OF 42o. but with those exceptions
absolutely nothing had been done by the great
maritime nations In the way OF northwest ex-
plorations up to 1850. Meanwhile. on the
Asiatic side. the Russians had gone much
bearer to the dividing strait. As early rs 1889
The Cos:acks had traversed Siberia. subdued
NJ hrr {<vt ,at huht A.
Pacific. where. at Okhotsk. on tho sea OF the
same name. they founded an important
trading establishment. During the next
half century nearly every part Of the Asistic
soast up to the strait and including
he peninsula Of Kamtchatka. had been
visited. and the Russian explorers reported
abundant indications Of the existence OF land
still further east. Trees and various articles
not Of Asiati0 origin were often washed ashore.
md. indeed. the natives made no secret OF
heir frequent Intercourse with . people from
Ne cast who came in boats or on tho leo. and
Who spoke . language different from their own.
The Russian Government became interested
y the rumors Of new lands. and In 1913 vitus
Dshring was sentin . small rude vessel. built
q Kamtohatks trading post to ascertain
whether the unknown eastern country was
part Of Siberia or cut OF from It by water.
tween the continents to which his name Ii
aot be an extension Of Asia. It was In Behr-
lnss second voyage t174l) that his associate
ohirikof. hrst saw the American continent In
latitude So So. nenr the later Sitka- Four
PEARS afterward Nevodckikof made the first
Aunting trip to the nearest Aleutian Islands.
and thenceforward one or more expedi-
hons In search OF the sea otter were fitted
out nearly every year BY Siberian merchant
companies. We are not accustomed to think
sf the Russians as great sailors. yet the truth
b that the daring and energy displayed by
hem In the exploration Of these Arctic seas
are unsurpassed in the history OF American
discovery. The Russian craft were small. and
IN every way inferior to the worst vessels en-
ployed by navigators OF other nations. Hastily
constructed by men who knew but little OF
ship carpentry. they were often mere boxes OF
BLANKS held together by lesthern thongs without
non. Notwithstanding the many voyages I'M
&ertaken by the Russians under these hard
sondittons It does not appear that the CONT
Aental coast, either above or below the Alaskan
Deninsula, was ever visited by them after the
time Of Behring. and before Cooks survey in
l77S. After this date such visits were frequent,
resulting In permanent occupation at many
points. but 1t remained for Cook to make known
The general features Of the northwest coast.
Mr.. Bancroft's assertion that no Spaniard or
Euglishnan ever saw vancouvor's Island be-
lore the middle OF the eighteenth century will
surprise those readers who are familiar with
The stories still printed in school books and
popular descr!ptions OF northwest discovery.
The author gances at these legends. but. after
o dissection Of the evidence. pronounces the
pretended VOYAGES Of Juan do Fuca and NAL
donado entirely apocryphal According 10
the tale which Fuca told al Venice to Lok. AN
EnElishman lby whom it was communicated to
Purchas and published). he Fuca) was Greek.
who had long been pilot In the Spanish West
Indian service. He ALLEGED that In 1892 having
been employed Dy the viceroy OF Mexico. he
entered the Strait OF Anian and traversed
hem into a sea TO the northward. thus accom-
plishing the northwest passage. Some intelli-
gent persons have supposed that Fuca did
really enter the strait which bears his nume.
and thence passing through Washington Sound.
tho Gull Of Georgia. and Queen Charlotte
Sound. circumnsvigated Vancouvers Island.