Reconnaissance, main and secondary triangulation, and topography. R. D. Cutts, assistant; Augustus S. Rodgers, aid. Under instructions to make minute surveys of sites Hydrography of Mare island straits, San Pablo APPENDIX No. 2. Report of the landmarks of the coast of Oregon from Point Adams to the boundary of Oregon and California, by Lieutenant W. A. Bartlett United States navy, assistant in the coast survey. WASHINGTON, December 11, 1850. SIR: The coast of Oregon from Point Adams (the south point of the Columbia river) to the parallel of 42° north, or the boundary of Oregon and California, will be better understood by the following classification and description: 1. The section of coast from the Columbia to the Kowes river, a Cape Arago. 2. From Cape Arago to the line of 42° north of Cape St. George. This entire line of coast, when seen from a distance of ten leagues or more at sea, presents the appearance of a high and precipitous shore, densely timbered-an unbroken line of forest: which, perhaps, may account for the very imperfect and incorrect descriptions heretofore given, when it has been stated to be "an iron bound and inhospitable coast." A nearer approach and examination of the section from Point Adams to Cape Arago shows that the prevailing character of this part of the coast is sand. Throughout this extent-a distance of 165 miles-132 miles is a sand beach, and only 33 miles of rocky cliffs where the ocean touches the shore. The cliffs or rocky promontories result from the prolongation of the spurs from the coast mountains, or that ridge of high lands which stretch along the coast, at varied distances from the shore, separating the interior table-lands from the shores, except through the valleys which reach the sea shore. The whole country is densely wooded, whether high or low, the prin cipal tree being a fir of heavy growth, occasionally found intermixed with pine, alders, and other trees. From Cape Arago to the line of 42°, or for a distance of eighty-five miles southward, there are only about fifteen miles of sand beach-ther being a very marked difference in the coast to the northward and southward of Cape Arago, the coast to the southward being higher or lowe cliffs as the coast hills approach to or recede from the coast. From latitude 42° to 42° 30', the hills are at some points bald, or only timbered on one side of their peaks. In this region, where the coast rang recedes from the shore, there are very pretty coast prairies, covered with a rich soil and grasses, presenting very tempting sites for habitation. There the Indians have taken advantage of these sunny spots, and their villages line the banks of the small streams which flow from the mountains. Coast of California.-To the south of Cape St. George the shore lineis principally composed of high, rocky cliffs, regular in character, with reiling and only partially timbered peaks until we reach Trinidad bay, where the whole country is again densely wooded. Here again we have a sand beach of near forty miles in extent. From Mendocino to San Francisco, the coast rises higher in varied shapes of peaks or rolling hills, partially covered with oak and red wood timber. A rich growth of oak and a fertile soil characterize this portion of the coast. Nearly every danger to navigation on this coast, 600 miles in extent, shows itself above water. Very truly, your obedient servant, WASHINGTON A. BARTLETT, Lieutenant U. S. N., Assistant Coast Survey. Professor A. D. BACHE, Superintendent U. S. Coast Survey, Washington. APPENDIX No. 2 bis. Letter of the Superintendent of the coast survey, applying for the detail of officers of the Corps of Topographical Engineers, with the reply of the Secretary of the Treasury, enclosing a copy of a letter from the Secretary of War. 1. Letter from A. D. Bache, Superintendent of coast survey, to Secretary of Treasury. 2. Letter from Secretary of Treasury to A. D. Bache, Superintendent of coast survey. 3. Letter from Secretary of War to Secretary of Treasury. 4. Letter from Colonel Abert to Secretary of War. No. (1.) HILL'S STATION, October 3, 1850. SIR: Within the past three years, three officers of the Corps of Topographical Engineers have been relieved from service on the coast survey, without being replaced. I have been made aware, by personal communication with Colonel Abert, that the exigencies of his service did not permit the details which I desired, and have therefore foreborne to make applications which must be declined. The wants of the coast survey are, however, now so pressing, that I have no choice but to request that you will make application to the Secretary of War for the services of four officers of Topographical Engineers, including one to replace Captain Humphreys, who has recently been detached by order of the Secretary of War. SIR: I transmit herewith a copy of a letter, dated the 24th instant, from the Secretary of War, with accompanying report from Colonel Abert, chief of Topographical Engineers, on the subject of the applicatio made to the War Department for detail of officers of the Topographica Corps, upon coast survey service. For the reasons stated, it will be see. that no officer can at this time be detailed for the survey. Very respectfully, your obedient servant, Professor A. D. BACHE, THOMAS CORWIN, Secretary of the Treasury. Superintendent United States Coast Survey. No. (3.) WAR DEPARTMENT, October 24, 1850. SIR: I have the honor to enclose to you the report of Colonel Abert, chief of Topographical Engineers, upon your application of the 7th instant for four officers of said corps for the coast survey service. I regret that, for the reasons assigned by Colonel Abert, it will be out of my power to comply with your request at this time; but so soon as it can conveniently with the duties of the corps be done, the application shall receive the prompt action of the department. Very respectfully, your obedient servant, C. M. CONRAD, Hon. THOMAS CORWIN, Secretary of the Treasury. No. (4.) Secretary of War. BUREAU OF TOPOGRAPHICAL ENGINEERS. SIR: In reference to the application of the superintendent of the coast survey, through the Treasury Department, for the services of four of eers of this corps, I have the honor to submit the following report: The corps consists of 1 colonel, 1 lieutenant colonel, 4 majors, 10 captains, 10 first lieutenants, 10 second lieutenants, 5 brevet second lieutenants, attached: In all, 41 officers of all grades. The following detailed exhibition of their positions and duties is given that the honorable Secretary may fully understand the case: 1. The colonel, in charge of the bureau. 2. The lieutenant colonel, in charge of the survey of the lakes, with two lieutenants as assistants. 4 3. Major (Brevet Lieutenant Colonel) Long, in charge of the improvenent of the western rivers and the building of certain marine hospitals. 4. Major Bache, with one assistant, in charge of all the harbor improvements on Delaware river and bay, with the construction of the ight-house on Brandywine shoals, and with the erection of a beacon upon a shoal off Nantucket, Massachusetts. 5. Major (Brevet Lieutenant Colonel) J. D. Graham, in charge of the estoration of the maps of the northeastern boundary, with one lieutenant is assistant. 6. Major (Brevet Lieutenant Colonel) Turnbull, an assistant to the bueau, in special charge of certain light-house constructions and of the construction of certain marine hospitals. 7. Captain Canfield, in charge of the construction of the light-house on the Waugoshance shoal, straits of Michilimackinac. 8. Captain (Brevet Colonel) G. W. Hughes, with one lieutenant as assistant, in charge of the survey and examinations in reference to the supply of water for the city of Washington. 10. Captain T. J. Cram, on the coast survey. 11. Captain (Brevet Lieutenant Colonel) McClellan, on the survey of the Mexican boundary, under the Department of the Interior, with two lieutenants. Brevet Major Emory, on the same duty, closing up survey from Pacific to Colorado. 12. Captain Stansbury and one lieutenant, now out on the survey of the Salt lake and vicinity. 13. Captain (Brevet Major) Linnard, superintending the construction of the light house on Carysfoot reef, Florida. 14. Captain (Brevet Colonel) J. E. Johnstone, with five lieutenants as assistants, engaged on the surveys and examinations in Texas, and between the Mississippi and the Rio Grande. 15. Captain Thomas J. Lee, an assistant to the bureau. 16. Captain A. A. Humphreys, just relieved from the coast survey, required, with two lieutenants as assistants, for surveys on the Mississippi. 17. Lieutenant Simpson and one assistant, at Santa Fe, on surveys and examinations in that vicinity. 18. First Lieutenant (Brevet Captain) Sitgreaves, reducing map from the Mississippi to the Pacific. This map was compiled at the bureau, under a resolution of the Senate, and is now being reduced under a resolution from the same authority. 19. First Lieutenant Woodruff, on the survey of an Indian boundary, under application from the Bureau of Indian Affairs. 20. First Lieutenant Palmer, on sick leave. 21. First Lieutenant Webster, in charge of works on west shore of Lake Michigan; also superintending the erection of a light-house at Chicago, and also at the mouth of the Calumet; also superintending the construction of a marine hospital at Chicago. 22. Two lieutenants, Derby and Williamson, on duty with the troops in California. 23. Two lieutenants, Franklin and Peck, on duty at the Military Academy. From the foregoing expositions, the Hon. Secretary will perceive that, of the 41 officers of the corps, there are now two under the Department of five under the Department of the Interior, two at the Military State, |