The Hudson's Bay Company have posts within this section of the country: Fort McLaughlin, in Millbank sound, in latitude 52° 10['] north, and Fort Simpson, in latitude 54° 30['] north, within Dundas island, and at the entrance of Chatham sound; but they are only posts for the fur trade of the coast, and are supplied twice a year with provisions, &c.
It is believed that the Company have yet no establishment on any of the islands; but I understood it was in contemplation to make one on Vancouver's island, in the vicinity of Nootka sound, or that of Clayoquot.[95]
{282} Owing to the dense fogs, the coast is extremely dangerous; and they render it at all times difficult to approach and navigate it. The interior of this portion of the territory is traversed by the three ranges of mountains, with the several rivers which take their rise in them, and is probably unequalled for its ruggedness, and from all accounts incapable of anything like cultivation.
The Columbia in its trend to the westward, along the parallel of 48°, cuts off the central or Blue mountain range, which is not again met with until on the parallel of 45°. From 45° they trend away to the southward and westward, until they fall into the Klamet range. This latter portion is but partially wooded.
Rivers.—The Columbia claims the first notice. Its
