272 LEWIS A. MCARTHUR
would be of much assistance. It would enable them to enter the straits, when the absence of a light would frequently compel them to remain at sea till daylight. Once inside the straits, vessels are comparatively secure.
"The advantage of having the light-house situated on the island instead of on the extremity of the Cape is, that it would serve as a guide to vessels seeking Neap or Scarborough's harbor, a small but secure harbor of refuge about four miles inside the straits. Strong contrary currents will cause navigators to seek this little harbor quite frequently.
"Traffic is very much on the increase in Oregon; and, while it must be admitted that the great increase has been on the Colum- bia river, yet it has also much improved on the Sound. Lumber has become an extensive article of export, and it is quite probable that there is no country on the face of the globe where it is so abundant, so good, and so convenient.
"It seems to me that the Government should be informed that ships are continually arriving at different points of the Sound to obtain spars and lumber, (they of course take the best and most convenient,) and it might be deemed advisable on the part of the Government to take means to arrest these depredations. I had occasion to witness them, and was called upon by General John Adair, the collector for the district of Oregon, to assist him in enforcing the revenue laws, and arrest even foreign vessels from smuggling and cutting our timber. See his report on the subject to the honorable Secretary of the Treasury.
I am, very respectfully, &c., truly yours, "(Signed) WM. P. McARTHUR,
"Lieut. Commanding and Assistant U. S. Coast Survey.
"To Professor A. D. Bache,
"Superintendent U. S. Coast Survey, Washington, D. C."
Among the papers of Lieut. Commanding McArthur was found a letter apparently addressed to him, and signed by George Gibbs, dated at Astoria, November 23, 1850. There seems no doubt but that it was written by the pioneer ethnol- ogist of Oregon. It follows :
"Dear Sir : Mr. Frost forgot to procure from you a power of attorney to sell lots at this place when he was in San Fran- cisco. It is very desirable that some one should possess the power of sale here, as it would take too long to send around to the various owners in case a purchaser appeared. Will you be good enough therefore to forward one and in case you write to Mr. Bartlett, to request a similar power from him. I intend
