id 
mouth of the Chilkaht, in 59° 15, through seven hundred and 
thirty-two miles, lies the vast interior line of navigation, un¬ 
equalled in the world for bold shores, deep waters, numerous 
bays and harbors, bordered every mile with timber of great size 
and height. The smallest craft can make their trading trips 
through these waters without the risk of a sea voyage; small 
steamboats can traverse them and find fuel at every point of 
the twenty thousand miles of shore line. The frequency of 
passages connecting these great straits and sounds with the 
ocean render them of inestimable value as a means of refuge to 
vessels fearing or suffering from heavy weather at. sea. . . . 
These waters were discovered by the American vessel 4 Wash¬ 
ington/ which entered by the Strait of Fuca in 48° 24, and left 
them by Dixon Sound in 54° 40.” 
Several islands margin this coast, prominent among which 
Vancouver looms 7000 feet above the sea. This important island 
runs parallel with the main land for nearly 200 miles, and pre¬ 
sents bold, abrupt outlines and acceptable anchorage. Farther 
north Queen Charlotte islands run parallel with the coast for 
160 miles ; this group soars high and presents wild, craggy out¬ 
lines, deep ravines, dense with timber ; the shores are bold and 
clean, affording secure shelter, where fuel, water and game may 
be obtained. Numerous tribes of Indians inhabit this coast. 
Some of them have acquired the rudiments of education, and 
display considerable mechanical ingenuity, the graceful models 
and lines of their canoes indicating artistic taste. They are 
expert watermen and skilful fishermen, navigating these waters 
in all seasons with safety, and capturing many whales ; they are 
treacherous and cruel to the white traders, and have plundered 
several vessels and murdered their crews. The gunboats of the 
royal navy exert a wholesome terror over the Indians in these 
regions. 
Fish. All the varieties of fish found in Puget Sound are 
also taken in the waters bathing British Columbia; sardines, 
smelts and herring are abundant, dogfish are plenty and solid, 
yielding clear, rich oil, the Indians take millions of them annu¬ 
ally. Cod of various species are found close to the shore and 
may be taken in quantities. Halibut are found around the 
Queen Charlotte isles like those taken off Cape Flattery, they 
are too small for the general purposes of commerce. Salmon 
revel around this coast; those found around the islands are of 
