326 



HYDROGRAPHY. 



localities wliich afford the best positions for future settlements. 

 These at first will be selected more from convenience for present 

 supplies, than with a view to future trade. But the positions which 

 must claim most attention, are those at the head of the inlets, 

 affording facilities for trade as well as internal communication. The 

 waters within Cape Flattery offer an extent of safe navigation unsur- 

 passed in any country, and every facility that can be needed for carry- 

 ing on the most extensive commerce. But a few years will elapse 

 before this estuary will be overrun by the tide of emigration, which is 

 now flowing so rapidly toward the western shores. 



Our surveys did not extend to the north of Frazer's River, in the 

 Gulf of Georgia ; I omit therefore to give any particular description of 

 it. It may be stated, however, that the tides are very strong, that 

 there are many detached rocks, that the shores are bold and iron-bound, 

 and that there is great difficulty in navigating through Johnson's 

 Strait, and little security to shipping against the dangers. Fogs prevail 

 for a large portion of the year, which throw great difficulties and 

 impediments to its ever being used as a route for navigation, even when 

 assisted by steam. 



FRAZER'S RIVER. 



The mouth of Frazer's River lies 7 miles to the north of the 49th 

 parallel. Like all the other rivers of Oregon, it is barred by an ex- 

 tensive mud and sand flat, extending for some 6 miles to the west ; 

 this is partially bare at low water. The channel in the river is of 

 ample depth ; its course is serpentine. From its north bluff outwards, 

 towards the bar, the depth decreases to 12 feet, which is the greatest 

 draft of water that can be carried in : this renders the entrance 

 impracticable for vessels of large size. The bar bears southwest 

 from the north bluff, and west-southwest from Cowitchen Peak. 

 Point M'Leod, at the mouth of the north channel, now nearly 

 filled up, is 4 miles distant. During freshets, the river dis- 

 charges a part of its water through it, and then it may be passed 

 through by boats and canoes. The south bank of the river is low 

 and marshy. At high water the tide flows through several small 

 inlets into the river ; these once formed a delta, but they are now 

 too much obstructed and too small to be so considered. The posi- 



