Page:Oregon Historical Quarterly vol. 19.djvu/296

 278 T. C. ELLIOTT the private property deposited there, consisting of dry goods furs, and implements of war, to a large amount. Shortly after the ceremony of surrender, I received a note on this subject from Mr. Keith, the gentleman whose signature accompanies that of Captain J. Hickey, which, together with a copy of my answer (also marked B), is submitted for your inspection. A sense of justice would have dictated the assur- ances I have given him in reply; but I had a further motive, which was that of subsiding the apprehensions excited by the abrupt visit of the Ontario. It appeared to me prudent, in this view, to take no notice of the suggestion relative to the discussion of boundary, and, in answering, to avoid any inti- mation of immediate or of future removal; as either might have induced him to form a settlement elsewhere on the river, and thus have given rise to collisions between the two Govern- ments, which may now be wholly avoided. The bay is spacious ; contains several anchoring places, in a sufficient depth of water; and is, by no means, so difficult of ingress as has been represented. Those enjoying the exclusive commerce have probably cherished an impression unfavorable to its continuance, growing out of the incomplete survey of Lieutenant Broughton, made under the orders of Vancouver in 1792. It is true that there is a bar extending across the mouth of the river, at either extremity of which are, at times, appalling breakers ; but it is equally true that it offers, at the lowest tides, a depth of twenty-one feet of water through a passage, exempt from them, of nearly a league in width. The Blossom, carrying more guns than the Ontario, encountered a change of wind while in the channel; was compelled to let go her anchor ; and, when again weighed, to tack and beat, in order to reach the harbor ; yet found a greater depth, and met with no difficulty either then or on leaving the bay. The sur- vey (marked C) 10 may be relied upon for its accuracy. The bearings, distances, and soundings, were taken by Captain Hickey, who was kind enough to lend himself to the examina- tion, and to furnish me with this result. It is the more inter- 10 This exhibit is not yet to be found among the State Papers.