THE PACIFIC COAST SURVEY 273
soon after the steamer is out to prepare some papers which will place the affairs of the property in better order and will advise you of them. When Mr. DeWitt was here I was in some doubt whether Frost had deeded to you the exact amount he intended to. I now propose to divide it into shares, which will be a common divisor of every man's interest, and that stock or scrip be issued accordingly. Please let me know what you think of the proposal, and if you can assent to it on Mr. Bartlett's behalf. If aye, whether I shall issue your scrip to you jointly or severally. Very truly yours, etc.,
George Gibbs.
"I see a letter in the Pacific News of Oct. 24, signed by a man named Morse, puffing Pacific City in a most preposterous style. He is a person whom Dr. White brought in on the Ocean Bird to lecture up his town throughout Oregon. The letter was written before the animal had ever seen the country. I understand also that another of his new importations, a "Professor Jackman," has written something in a similar vein, but attacking Astoria, and a Weekly Cal. Courier of some- time since had an article signed by Edmonds and Edwards stating that they had piloted in or out over 200 vessels in three years, and that Bakers Bay was the only good harbor. I be- lieve that you yourself know that this statement is false on the face of it, as that number of passages of the bar did not occur previous to White's coming here and that Latty and Reve were the pilots. Now is it worth while to answer these things over two or three signatures, or say a dozen? I have only the Pacific News of the 24th in my possession. If you think that I can procure the other two papers, please send them. Jack- man's article was in the News sometime in October Edmonds' in the Courier of I believe the same month. It struck me that as there was one responsible or at any rate actual name, it might be time to pounce on Dr. White as a humbug. But you can best judge from your position whether he is effecting any- thing. I have sent by this mail two memorials to Thurston against the removal of the Custom house, and have one on the desk signed by shipmasters and owners."
In 1876 the United States government built the schooner Me Arthur at Mare Island, California, and named her in honor of Lieut. Commanding William Pope McArthur. For the past 39 years the McArthur has been in practically continuous service in the work of the Coast and Geodetic Survey on the Pacific Coast. The vessel is 115 feet long and of 220 gross tons, and has long since served her usefulness. In his last
