Page:Oregon Historical Quarterly volume 13.djvu/211

 SLACUM'S REPORT ON OREGON, 1836-7 203 ing. Fort Vancouver is the only spot, from Fort George up- wards, where a farm of any size could be opened. From the map of the country south of the Columbia, which I shall be, able to prepare from the rough though correct sketches in my possession, you will discover there are four rivers which fall into the Pacific ocean between 41 33' north latitude and Columbia. Three of these, with "Pelican bay," in latitude 42 4' north, are within the limits of the United States, but are not laid down in any published chart of the present day. Klamet river, 41 33' north latitude, 123 54' west longitude. West "Rougues" river, 42 26, north latitude, 124 14" west longitude. West Cowis [Coos] river, 43 31' north latitude, 124 4' west longitude. West Umpqua, 43 50' north latitude, 123 56' west longi- tude. Last year, 1836, the Hudson Bay Company's schooner "Cadborough," entered two of these rivers with 8 feet of water. "Pelican bay" is a good harbor. From the, information of Mr. Young and other trappers, I am told the Umpqua is nearly the same size as the Willhamett. The lands are equally good and well timbered. The river called "Rougues," or sometimes Smith's river, abounds with the finest timber west of the Rockv mountains; and it may be fairly estimated that the valleys of the rivers certainly within the limits of the United States,* contain at least 14,000,000 of acres of land of first quality, equal to the best lands of Missouri or Illinois. The Indians west of the Rocky mountains, between the Co- lumbia and 42 north latitude, may be estimated at 100,000, two-thirds of whom are armed by the Hudson Bay Company. North of the Columbia, along the coast to Cape Flattery, the "Chehulis" Indians inhabit the country. They have a friendly intercourse with the Indians of Baker's bay, although they speak a different dialect. On the "Cowility," (see map), which falls into the Columbia, there are a few Indians of the Klacku-
 * Exclusive of the Columbia and Willhamett.