Page:Oregon Historical Quarterly vol. 8.djvu/78

 70 DOCUMENTS. voyage from Kamtschatka to Japan can be made in an open boat, as it is a continued chain of Islands from the Okhotsk sea, until it arrives at its place of destination. Your Committee are well pursuaded that, by a little care and small expense, the citizens of this Republic might reap all the benefits of this trade, not only profitable now, but from every view of the subject there is a strong probability that it- will increase for many years. Were an establishment made at the mouth of Columbia which should be allowed to take with them their women and children, there can be no doubt of success, as so many years experience of the English fur companies have amply shown this mode has the most powerful effect in separating the minds of the men from pursuits, which often in frontier countries lead to strife, as it gives them a local interest and feeling, and makes them even more vigilant and prudent in the discharge of all their duties. It is believed that population could be easily acquired from China, by which the arts of peace would at once acquire strength and influence, and make visible to the aborigines the manner in which their wants could be supplied ; the coast of the Pacific is in its climate more mild than any part of the continent in the same parallel, and many vegeta- bles on that shore grow in great abundance in the native forest, which are likewise natives of China. It is known, that when the Spanish Government, in 1789, sent their ships of war up the coast to capture the British vessels, which were intruding, they found seventy Chinese, whom the English had procured to emigrate, that they might be employed in the mechanic arts; and though the people of that country evince no disposition to emigrate to the territory of adjoining princes, it is believed they would willingly, nay. gladly embrace the opportunity of a home in America, where they have no prejudices, no fears, no restraints in opinion, labor, or religion. The Committee cannot doubt, that an establishment made on the Pacific would essentially benefit the natives, whilst it would give this country the advantage of all its own treasures,