The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1892-05-08

south OF Cape Disappointment, but could lot
for the strong outset or refux, and then speaks
OF the broken wat z he saw in its reighborhood,
and says: "Sor hkd We any reason TO alter our
opinions, notwithstanding that theoretical
geograpners have thought proper to assert. in
that space, the existence of arms OF the ocean,
communicating with Q rnedite.ranean sea, and
extensive rivers with safe and convenient ports.
These ideas, not delivered from any source OF
substantial information, have. 1t is much to be
feared been adopted for the sole purpose Of Civ
ing unlimited credit to the traditionary ex-
ploits OF ancient foreigners and TO undervslue
the lsborious and enterprfsfng exertions OF our
countrymen in the noble science of discovery.
As stated, he passed the mouth of the Column
bia river in the forenoon of April e. 1921, for he
speaks OF the appearance of the sea below Cape
Disappointment in tho following language:
''The sea had now changed from ID natural to
river-colored water; the probable consequences
OF some streams falling into the bay or into the
ocean moth oil u.s." Just twelve days, May II,
l7sl, after Captain Gray had parted from the
Discovery and the Chatham he sailed across the
bar described by Captain Vancouver and "iound
this TO be larger river of fresh water, W. Ehch
VIC steered." (Coiumbia's log book, May II, i73l)
On the 10Th OF May Captain Gray called tho
river tho Columbia after his ship, and the point
on the north of the entrance Cape Hancock, and
that on the south Adams point (Columbia's
book, May 10, 179Ll
Here the orator reviewed Vancouver's
discoveries during the summer 1892, and,
referring to the explorers entrance to Port
Townsend, said:
The splendor of that mornings sun bathes In
Its flood of glorious golden light picture
whose iridescent hues have been harmonized
and deiineated by tho hand OF an Artist Divine.
The spacious inlet OF Port Townsend bay
stretches its emerald waters to the southeast.
a hrf6 vail W. ~ Init ifv hon IN
WILDLY island, and Marrowstone point, fringed
with the yerdant plumes OF the untouched for
ests disclose the entrance to Puget sound.
Southwark transBxing the gaze, and lifting his
godl crest to the very skies, haughtily re-
hecting back the suns rays from white glisten-
Ing peaks, rises in supernai grandeur, old Mount
Rainier, limned againstthe blue vault of heaven
which canopies picture faultily faultiess. On
that memorable seventh OF May the enterprise
and daring OF the great English navigator I'M
locked to civilization that matchiess mediter-
ranean sea, extending from the Gulf OF Georgia
sonthward to Budd's inlet, which to that time
had been imprisoned in the uncertainties of
theories and mythical traditions
have, at the risk OF my remarks becoming
tedious. circumstantially related these details,
because the history of the discovery OF 20 many
of the places mentioned and OF how and when
they received the names which are as familiar
as household words to US, has been accessible
TO but few.
What lofty monument these names and
places erect in honor of Vancouver As long
as man can think-as long as man may remem-
ber-wili this monument exist in history,
grander in its sentiment than that which sur
rounds niche in Westminster Abbey and as
unperishable as the pyramids of Egypt.
cannot dismiss this part OF my subject and
feel that my efforts today would be complete,
did not give his impressions OF his peerless
no N off ic i'm
port, as they come from his own lips:
ITO describe the beauties OF this region VIII
on some future occasion be a grateful task to
the pen of askillfui panegyrist the serenity OF
the climate, the innumerable pleas
ing landscapes, and the abundant fertility
that, unasststed, nature puts forth, requires
only TO BE- enriched by the industry OF man with
Villages, mansions, cottages and other buildings,
to render II the most lovely country that can be
imagined; whilst the labor OF the inhabitants
would be amply rewarded in the bounties which
nature seems ready to bestow on cultivation"
Standing in the shadow of the century In
which these words were uttered, witnessing to-
day, as We do, the fullness OF all they forete 1t
seems a. if the wand of some mighty magician
had touched the unbroken stiffness of an hun
dred years, and fulfilled the prophecy OF the
noble navigator. Yet do not believe that the
widest imagery of this favored place which he
could have conjured up would be comparable to
mert by mans industry with villages mansions
cottages and other buildings are not only here.
but splendid cities with their teeming thou
sands also. Did he imagine then that there
would be not only mansions upon the Shores
but floating palaces upon the waters he had dis.
covered, and palaces upon wheels daily rushing
with the speed OF eagles wing past the doors of
those mansions and by the villages he describes?
As he stood upon the decks of his modest little
wooden ships, could he possibly have had any
conception that steel-clad battle ships, with
their terrible batteries, which sources of
amazement even to Us, would today be floating
as gracefully as swans upon the same waters
which bathed the sides OF the old Discovery and
the chatham?
All this was a. inconceivable to him at that
day rs the developments of science and produc-
lions OF art Will exhibit at the second centen-
NAL anniversary of the discovery of Puget
sond is incomprehensible to US of today.
The beautiful sea which he discovered is yet
further honored, as il Is embraced within the
territorial limits of our own splendid common
wealth which bears the name of Washington.
And now, Mr.. Mayor, we, of Puget sound, and
may be permitted to speak in behalf OF our
kinsmen in Victoria, congratulate the goodiy
city of Port Townsend, the Key City of the
Sound, which stands practically at the head of
the famous navigator's discoveries, sitting at
the gateway of these Elysian fields, she will
watch the marshalling centuries unfold the
Arcana of the future, which, let MS hope, holds
for her within lts embrace the prosperity and
the tabled wealth OF the Incas OF Peru.
The orators address was listened to with
marked attention by Governor Ferry, the
naval commanders and a large number of
visitors. The exercises closed with sing
ing God Save the Queen" and America"
Lively scenes occurred on the bay in the
took place between the crews of the men
of-war. \ lively and good-natured rivalry
existed between the enthusiastic partici-
pants. and the crowds ashore applauded
their favorites. The programme was as
follows:
First race, two miles, for cutters. eight
oars-First prize. so; second prize, So
Second race. one and oue-half miles, gigs five
oars-Firss prize, sl25o; second prize, s. Third
race, three miles, sailing boats, twenty feet aud
under over sli-First prize, SIS: second prize,
s7.51 Fourth race, one and ouehali miles,
whitehall boats for two mcn-First prize, SO:
second prize. S. Fifth race, two miles, cutter,
ten oars-First prize, SIS: second prize. SIS
Sixth race, one aud one-hau miles, gigs six oars
First prize, SO; second prize, $50.
All the races were for ships boats only, with
the exception of the third race
The exhibition driu by the naval and
military organizations was reviewed at 5
O'Clock. Hundreds of visitors went aboard
the Yorktown, Adams, Alhatross and
other government vessels, all of which
were decked in gay holiday attire The
small craft were busy all day carrying Wis.,
itors about the water front. The tug-of-
war contest by the crews of the various
steamers and the government vessels was
an attractive feature in the evening. II
occurred on Taylor street, ten men on
each side participating. At sunset sa-