While this was passing on shore, the ship fired a salute. When this ceremony was concluded, I proceeded up to Chinoake village and visited its chief, thence crossed the river and visited the settlement, which is 20 miles from Cape Disappointment, and on my way down the river I landed on its south side near Point George and took possession. I anchored with the boats for the night off Chinoake Point, and on the following morning I recrossed the bar and returned on board.
As it was impracticable to bring wood and water in our boats to the ship without the bar, it became necessary to go into some neighboring port for a supply of these articles. The want also of fresh provisions, which can not be procured at the Columbia River, and which it was not prudent the crew should be longer without, rendered it advisable to enter a port in the vicinity. I therefore sailed for Monterey, where I arrived on the twenty-fifth of August. At this point I met the Russian sloop of war Kutusoff.
Having completed wooding and watering, I sailed for Monterey on the thirtieth of August, and arrived on the twenty-second of October at Lima.
U. S. Ship Ontario, Aug. 19, 1818.Sir: I have the honor to inform you I have this day taken possession, in the name and on the behalf of the United States, of both shores of the river Columbia; observing in the performance of this service the ceremonies customary upon the like occasions of setting up a claim to national sovereignty and dominion.
I have the honor to be with great respect, sir,
Your most obedient servant,J. Biddle.The Hon. The Secretary of Navy, Washington City.
Letter from Iowa Territory, dated March 4, 1843, and signed "H.," in National Intelligencer, April 18,1843. Copied from the New Haven Palladium:
I suppose you of the East consider the present residents of Iowa the very pioneers of the West. Never was a greater mistake; the true western pioneers have pushed on beyond us, or if here and there one still lingers, it is only that he may dispose of his farm and "improvements "to push for a "new country."
Strange, restless beings are the genuine pioneers. Among them you may find some who have helped to lay the foundations of every state from the "old thirteen" hither; men who have successfully held seats in every legislature, from Virginia to Iowa, inclusive, but who are now moving to a new country again to ' ' make a claim; again to act a conspicuous part in the community in which they live;
