cape and restoring its former name. Congress the previous year had enacted the Donation Land Law, giving to heads of families 640 acres of land and to others less.
A NEW ERA
From now on events moved rapidly, and a new era began for all this region of Oregon. On that same journey to Portland, the Captain and his friends agreed upon a townsite for his new entry, and naming it Port Orford. And, more than this, they proposed to construct a pack trail communication over the Coast Range Mountains with the Northern California and Rogue River gold mines, as Port Orford was deemed to be the nearest and most accessible shipping point on the coast from these rapidly populating mining regions of the interior. To this end it was concluded to begin construction immediately.
PORT ORFORD BEGINS
The Sea Gull, on her return voyage to San Francisco, conveyed to Port Orford, on June 9,1851, a little company of brave westerners who were to be the road builders to the gold mines, with the promise also of an interest in the new townsite, with Captain J. M . Kirkpatrick as their experienced leader. They were all supplied with firearms, with ammunition and subsistence, and were safely landed at their destination, and temporarily located upon a high rocky islet, later to be known as Battle Rock. One side of this was sloping to the sea, and separated from the mainland at high tide and a small creek which flowed at its base. The road builders were to remain there until the steamer Sea Gull could return from San Francisco, in about fourteen days or sooner, with reinforcements to assist in the road work. Indians were numerous, and the settlers, to be better fortified, the ship parted with its single cannon and copper magazine, which were removed to the summit of the rock, and to be in readiness, should the Indians attack. Owing to delay it was not until July 14th before another ship could bring the promised recruits to the harbor.
