2A8 cY^rlaZ... I^ 7 - KrCA'.S STRAITS AND 



On tho 21>th, the brig again j< ■in* , -<l us, and Mr. 

 T. W. Wuldrou was at once sent with despatches 

 to Nisqually, to pass across the. country to tho 

 Cowlitz, and thence down thu Columhia to Astoria. 

 Among thu despatches was an order to all the ward- 

 room officers of the Peacock, to report to mo in 

 writing the circumstances that led to the loss of 

 that ship # . 



On the Hist, towards noon, the wind and tide 

 permitting, we got under way, and stood down the 

 Strait* of Me Fuca; but owing to the light winds, 

 we made little progress, C Jf the northern side of 

 these straits it had been my intention to make a 

 very particular examination, after completing the 

 survey of the Canal de Arro. I have understood 

 tkiat there is a fine harbour near the eastern end of 

 the island, where a post ban been lately established 

 by tho Hudson Bay Company; that of San Juan, 

 near the mouth of the straits, the Porpoise was or- 

 dered to survey on thu 2nd of August, while the 

 Viucennea was engager! in the survey of Neah Hnr- 

 honr, lying on the south side of the straits, just 

 within Cape Flattery. Port San Junn was found 

 to afford little shelter, being exposed to the south- 

 west windB, and the heavy swell of the ocean ; ami 

 is reported as being unsafe, except for temporary 

 an el to rage. 



Noah Harbour is but a small indentation in the 

 coast, which is partly sheltered on the north-east by 

 Nenh Island, it is the position where the Spaniards 

 attempted to establish themselves in 157*2, ami 

 which they called Port Nunez Gaoua. The re- 

 maim of an old fort are still to be perceived, and 

 some bricks were found that were supposed to have 

 belonged to it. Water is to bo obtained hero in 

 some quantity, and a small vessel would liave no 

 difficulty in getting enough. It offers a tolerably 

 safe auchornge, though somewhat exposed to the 

 north-west gales; yet by anchoring well in, which a 

 small vessel may do, protection even from these 

 gab s might he had. 



The ship, on anchoring, wna surrounded by many 

 canoes of the Clossct Indians, who inhabit the 

 country around Cape Flattery. They were well 

 disposed to trade, and were greatly surprised thai 

 so large a ship should want no furs, which Mere of 

 several kinds : the sea-otter was that most prized, 

 and held at very exorbitant prices, more than they 

 could he bought for in the United States. George, 

 the chief of the Ta louche tribe, as he terms him- 

 self, was on board all day. lie speaks a few words 

 of English, and is a fine-looking man. It was diffi- 

 cult to make him or any of his people understand 

 the use of a man-of-war, tho number of people on 

 board, and the care that was taken to keep them 

 from couiiiu:"U board. lie showed it by continually 

 asking, " What for bo big ship 0 * What for so 

 many mans f" — all probably proceeding from his 

 disappointment in not being able to sell his skins. 



The Classet tribe of Indians is one of tho most 

 numerous on the coast that I had an opportunity of 

 seeing, and seems the most intelligent. Theselu- 

 dians wore small pieces of an iridescent mussel- 

 shell, attached to the cartilage of their nose, which 

 was, in some, of the 6ize of a tcu cents piece, and 

 triangular in shape. It ia generally kept in motion 



» Tlirip wtll be found puulUherl la Document No. -*27, 

 Hou»e ti{ RriTewntativci, 2Mh CongreM, Hi Se*»ici:. dated 

 loth April, IBM. 



lit Fur*'* PIILir. 

 Cape JH*ap|jomtni»rt 



by their breathing. They had seldom any clothing 

 excepting a blanket; but a few who have contrived 

 to make friends with the visiters, have obtained 

 some old clothes; while others seem to be in the pay 

 of the Hudson Hay Company. The principal uni- 

 fies of trade are tobacco, powder (" paulalei!''),and 

 leaden balls. These are preferred to mod other 

 merchandise, although more can In* obtained for 

 spirits than for any other article. This shows very 

 conclusively, to my mind, the sort of trade that was 

 carried on when the Huston ships entered into 

 rivalry with the North-west Company for the pur- 

 chase of furs. 



On the 3rd, we were engaged in the survey of the 

 harbour, besides obtaining fifteen hundred gallons 

 of water. Its position (the north point of N- ah 

 laland) was found to he in latitude 46" 24' 40" N., 

 longitude 124 5 36' iff' W.; variation 21° 8* 14" 

 easterly. 



We had as mmtyas forty canoes alongside on the 

 3rd, with various articles for sale, including fish, 

 venison, dc. Some of the canoes had as many as 

 twenty persons in them. They wore generally a 

 stout, athletic nice; and it was observed that the 

 women were much better looking than those of the 

 other tribes. Some of them, indeed, had unite lair 

 complexions and rosy checks. They are not a> 

 much exposed to the weather as those we had pre- 

 viously seen, being provided with a conical hut, 

 made of grass, and plaited so tight as to be imper- 

 viouij to water, which both protects them from the 

 rain and sun. 



It is said that this tribe can muster one thou- 

 sand warriors, and they have the reputation of 

 being treacherous and warlike. Many of them 

 were fantastically painted, that is, besmeared with 

 oil, soot, and red paint. Their dress consists of a 

 native blanket, made of dog's hair interspersed 

 with feathers: this is much more highly valued 

 than the bought ones, but t.-> tardy to be obtained. 

 Tin* clamour made by our numerous visiters along- 

 side waa very great, and their offers of articles 

 were without much regard to thu priority of 

 rank, station, or any thing else. 



At 2 p.m. we got* under way, with the Porpoise 

 in company, and succeeded in making an offing 

 before the fog enveloped us. These foga are one of 

 the greatest annoyances to vessels arriving on this 

 coast; for, in fine weather, they are experienced 

 almost daily, coining up with the sea-breeze, con- 

 tinuing throughout tho night, and until the eun has 

 sufficient power the next day to dissipate them. 



In leaving De Fuca's Straits, I anxiously watched 

 for Dc Fuea's Pillar, and anon obtained a sight 

 of it. 



The morning of the 5th August the Porpoise 

 was discovered astern, which relieved me from 

 any apprehension of detention. 



The soundings were somewhat peculiar; for it 

 was found that in our progress down the coast, 

 they increased almost regularly until ninety fathoms 

 was reached; but, a short distance beyond that 

 depth, and at about fifteen miles from the coast, 

 the bank suddenly fell off, and no bottom was to he 

 obtained with a line of two hundred and two hun- 

 dred and fifty fathoms long. 



On the (Jth, at daylight, Cupe Disappointment 

 was in sight; and at ten o'clock we were near the 

 cape. The Flying- Fish joined ua at noon; when 

 Captain Hudson came on board, un.l from htm I 



