Page:Oregon Historical Quarterly vol. 20.pdf/355

 THE NORTHWEST BOUNDARIES

337

5th July 1788 he traded with Natives of Cape Shoalwater in about Lat. 46, 47 N. and on the 6th he named "Cape Disappointment" calling the mouth of the Columbia Deception Bay, making it by an indifferent observation in Lat. 46.10 Lon: In page 219 same Journal (17th Septr. 1788) it is 235.34. stated that Mr. Gray in the Washington joined him at Nootka Sound, that vessel had sailed in company with the Columbia from Boston in August 1787, they separated in a gale of wind in Lat. 59 South and had not seen each other up to that time. Mr. Gray informed Meares that he had put into a Harbour on the Coast of New Albion where he got on shore, and was in danger of being lost on the Bar, was attacked by the Natives and had one man killed and one of his officers wounded. The harbour could not admit vessels of a very small size and must

somewhere near Cape Lookout Meares in page 220 further says that he (the Master of the Washington) "appeared to be very sanguine in the superior advantages which his Country Men from New England might reap from this track of Trade, lie



and was big with mighty Projects in which we understand he was protected by the American Congress." It, therefore, appears evident that up to this period, Gray knew nothing of the Columbia and that the Americans were total strangers to the Country and Trade of the North- West Coast altogether. Vancouver's Voyages Volume 2 page 53 April 1792 states that the River Mr. Gray mentioned should from the situation he assigned to it, have existed in the Bay, South of Cape Disappointment. Mr. Gray stated that he had been several days attempting to enter it and at length he was unable to effect it

in

consequence of a strong outset.

Page 388 same Work October 1792 Vancouver prepares to examine the Coast of New Albion and particularly a River and Harbour discovered by Mr. Gray in the (Ship) Columbia between the 46th and 47th degrees of North latitude of which Senr. Quadra had given him a Sketch. Vol 3 page 124 Decbr. 1792 "The Discovery of this River

we

is claimed by the Spaniards who Entrada de Ceta after the Commander of the Vessel

are given to understand

call

who

it

is

said to be

its first

discoverer, but

who never

entered

it,

46 degrees North Latitude it is the same opening that Mr. Gray stated to us in the Spring (1792) he had been nine days off the former year (1791) but could not get in in consequence of the out setting current. That in the course of the late Summer (1792) he had however entered the River or he places

it

in