The Lynden tribune. [volume] (Lynden, Wash.) 1908-current, 1921-01-20

shore following the ship. Soon after,
above 20 canoes came off, and brought
a good lot of furs, and salmon, which
last they sold two for a board nail.
The furs we likewise bought cheap, for
copper and cloth. They appeared to
view the ship with the greatest aston
ishment and no woubt we was the first
civilized people that they ever saw.
We observed some of the same people
we had before seen at Gray's harbor,
and perhaps that was branch of this
same river. At length we arrived OPP
posite to large village, situate on the
north side of the river, about leagues
from the entrance. Came to in 10 FIN.
sand, about u mile from shore. The
river at this place was about miles
over. We purchased 4 otter skins for
a sheet of copper, beaver skins, 2
spikes each, and other land furs, l
spike each.
We lay in this place till the goth
May, which time we put the ship in
good order and filed up all the water
casks along side, it being very good.
These natives talked the same Ian
guage as those farther south, but we
could not learn it. Observed that the
canoes that came from down river,
brought no otter skins, and ! believe
the otter constantly keeps in salt wat
er They however always came we'll
stocked with land furs, and capital
salmon. The tide set down the whole
time and was rapid. Whole trees some
times come down with the stream.
The Indians informed US there was so
villages on the banks of this river
15.-N. Latt. 46' z; w. Long, 1922
At. On the 18th took up the anchor,
and TODD up river, but soon found
the water to be shoal so that the ship
took the ground, after proceeding Z
or miles from our first station. How
ever soon got off again. Sent the cut
ter and found the main channel was
on the south side, and that there was
a sand bank in the middle. AS we did
not expect to procure otter furs at any
distance from the sea, we contented
ourselves in our present situation,
which was a very pleasant one. II
landed abreast the ship with Capt.
Gray to view the country and take
possession, leaving charge with the
End officer. Found much clear ground,
fit for cultivation. and the woods most
ly clear from underbrush. None Of
the natives come near us.
18.-Shifted the ships berth to her
old station abreast the village Chi
nook, commanded by a chief named
Polack. Vast many canoes, full of In
dams, from different parts of the river
were constantly along side. Capt. Gray
named this river Columbia's, and the
north entrance Cape Hancock, and the
south point, Adams. This river in my
opinion, would be fine place for to
set up factory. The Indians are very
numerous, and appeared very civil
(not even offering to steaD. During
our short stay we collected $50 otter,
300 beaver, and twice the number of
other land furs. The river abounds
with excellent salmon, and most other
river fish, and the woods with plenty
of moose and deer, the skins of which
was brought us in great plenty, and
the banks produces a ground NUT
which is an excellent substitute for
either bread or potatoes. We found
plenty of oak and ash trees, and clear
ground in plenty, which with little
labor might be made fit to raise such
seeds as is necessary for the susten-
ance of inhabitants, and in short a
factory set up here, and another at
Hancock's river, in the Queen Char.
lotte Isles, would engross the whole
trade Of the NV. coast with the help
(of) few small coasting vessels).
20.-This day left Columbia's River,
and stood clear of the bars, and bore
off to the northward. The men, at Co.
lumbias River. are straight limbed,
fine looking fellows, and the women
are very pretty. They are all in a
state of nature, except the females,
who wear leaf apron.