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 T. C. ELLIOTT

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rather the Sound and had named it after the Ship, he then commanded (Columbia). The extent, Mr. Gray became acquainted with on that occasion, is no further than I have called Gray's Bay (15 miles from the mouth of the River) not more than 15 miles from

Cape Disappointment, though according to Gray's sketch it measures 36 miles. By his calculation its entrance lies in Lat. 46 degrees 10, Lon 237 degrees 18 differing materially in these From these extracts it will respects from our observations." appear that Lieut. Meares of the R. N. was the first who discovered the entrance of the Columbia in July 1787 naming the head Land of the Northern entrance of the River Cape Disappointment which it still bears, and that Captn. Barclay of the Imperial Eagle had previously traded in the vicinity of the River and at about half a degree to the Northward lost a boat's crew in the year 1787. Gray's Bay is situated on the North side of the Sound about half way between Cape Disappointment and the mouth of the River which he appears never to have entered as Vancouver's Voyages Vol 3 page 109 says "Previously to his departure however he formally took possession of the River and the Country in its vicinity in His Britannic Majesty's name having every reason to believe that the subjects of no other civilized Nation or State had ever entered this River before in this opinion he was confirmed by Mr. Gray's sketch in which it does not appear that Mr. Gray either saw or was within five leagues of its



entrance." 6 These extracts and remarks will I trust satisfactory answer

query Q.

9.

What comparison does Eraser's River bear in magnitude and capacity for the purposes of Trade with the Columbia? Is the Native population on its banks dense or not-well-disposed or not- warlike or pacific? A. Eraser's River is not so large as the Columbia and not to be compared with it for the purposes of Trade, the depth of water found at its entrance was about 3 fathoms and banks are generally high and steep, covered with Timber and such places as are sufficiently low and clear for the site of an establishment bear marks of having been over flown in the Seasons

of high water. About 70 miles from its entrance the navigation is interrupted by Rapids and Falls so as to render it nearly impossible, and according to the best information I have been able to collect, the 6 See Note 3 at page 28 of Vol. 20, Or. Hist. Quar.