THE COAST SURVEY. [From the " Alta California," Oct. 5.]

New Zealander, Volume 7, Issue 493, 4 January 1851, Page 2

THE COAST SURVEY. [From the " Alta California," Oct. 5.]

We had the pleasure yesterday of an examination on board of the Sell. Ewing of the U. S. Coast Survey, Lieut. Win. P. McArtbur Commanding of the Mapi and Chaits which are Ihe re»ult of his long and arduous labors along our coast. The Charts are on a large scale, admirably suited to the want* of the large marine constantly increasing, already engaged along the Pacific shore They embrace the whole coast fiom the mouth of the Columbia river to the Bay of Monterey, and are executed in a manner a« creditable to the aitistic skill and accuiacy of Wm. B. McMurtne, E'q. draftsnun,'as the very successful and satisfactory results of the Survery, are to tlie perseverance, energy, and ability of the Commander of the expedition. From Cape disappointment to Point Pinos the Ew« ing traced each headland and indentation ; every rock and islet, determiuing the exact Latitude and Longitude of every point of the coast, roadstead and iniVection, and fixing- their position upon the chart with so much care and accuracy that witlibuch guides on board, the presence of a pilot could scarcely be desirable on the dart of any seamen who may be navigating along the coast. The debouchment of each river emptying into the sea is scrupulously accurate and not a dangerous rock, or shoal or reef, has escaped the inspection of this thorough survey. The chart is accompanied with perspective views of the principal headlands, etc. along the coast which will prove of invaluable service to fcamen when in doubt otherwise, from any cause as 10 their own exact position ; as, for mstance, v 'a pei spective view of of Cape Mendcoino, and the country at Trinidad. In proof of the accuracy with which- this whole survey has been conducted, it may*not be amiss to mention that L cut, McArthur after taking hisldeparlure at a point in ttiis Bay determined by Lieut, -Wilkes, and threading the entire coast, noting its inlets and outlets, sounding its waters and locating Topographically correct tvery point that can be of any interest to commerce, found upon completing all his calculations in the Bay of San Francisco, that there was scarce any discrepancy between the previously determined position, his vessel occupied and that indicated by his recUoning. The chart shows the nature of the whole coast, where it is sandy, wheie rock»bound, and otherwise, the aeries of bills or mountains as they overlook the shore and the appearance of the country as to its (oiests and timber. The charts of Lieut. Wilkes of the U. S. Exploring Expedition, made some dozen years ago, have long been known as inaccuiate to a great degree, as to this Coast. In fact the survey now made is the only one since the discovery ofthe country, upon which the mariner could trust the safety of his vessel or life. Many of the poiuts, rocks, &c, as laid down on previous charts, are more than twenty miles out of their true position. Islands are laid down which do not exist, while others that have a local habitation and a name, are not mentioned at nil. Thus the immense benefit which will accrue to the entire commerciul and mercantile interests engaged on our coast*, may easily be understood. The trade, already heavy, now carried on between this I'ort and the various points above us, is .constantly increasing, and there is great reason to believe that those rivers now merely known by name, will ere long be known to the world as the highways to rich and populous marts, flourishing under the combined influences of Agriculture, Trade and mining. 'ihe Umpqun, the Kldinetb. and other*, are already attracting much attention, while the Columbia, so long looked upon with distrust, and 6ince the loss of the frigate Peacock on its bar, considered by many unnavignble, is known now to have a perfectly safe and easy entrance ihrough its South Channel. This has been thoroughly surveyed by Lieut. McArlhur and the corps under his command. Eighteen feet at mean tide can be carried in over the shallowest part; and assisted by the chart and directions wh eh will accompany the Report, a stranger may take hisship&to Astoria without the aid of a Pi 01. The mouth of the Columbia, as is proved by the surreys of Wilkes and McArlhur, is gradually changing. Where is now the South Channel, was so shallow tvhen the Exploring Expedition made its survey that the sea rolled into continuous bieakers entiiely across it. On the other hand the then best entrance, that surveyed and recommended by Leut. Wilkes— if we mistake not— is filling up, and is so much altered from its then condition, that it cannot be navigated by Ms disections. It is fortunate for California that amid all the miserable bungling which has characterized the course of Congress and the Government at home towards her, one man at least t^ere was, nho, actuated by patriot-

ism and common sense, has done all he could do thus far for her interests. A. 4), Bache, Superintendent of the U. S. Coast Sum-y, has acted directly for the good of this ill-treated State, by pushing ahead with all the meant attainable, this most important work. And it is no less fortunate that Ins very commendable course has been so well seconded by the officer in command here, and those attached. The service has been a very arduous one, and has hbored under so many disadvantages, that many a less resolute man might have thrown up his commission in disappointment and vexation if not with diagusfc. He has had to contend against all the influences which the hope of sudden wealth has exfried upon his men. Desertion and mutiny hare not deterred, although they have delayed the progress of the work. Government has allowed no extra pay to officers of the nwvy on this 8ta»» tion, although their expense* have increased almost fourfold. And until lately— we believe — no allowance for the higher rUte of the wages of seamen has been made- Yet the* work hts gone a head, the officeri have done their duty nobly, «nd will do it, until the whole coast to the Mexican line at least shall have been equally as well surveyed. Such good faith and devotion to duty deserve well of the country and should be rewarded by the government. It is understood that the charts will be lithographed as fast as they can be prepared and sent hume. — The Report of L'eur, McAithur to Mr. Bache, we anticipated publishing, probably in our edition fqr the Steamer of Tuesday. It will be found of great value to the cornineicial interest.

Reorganization of the Pacific Mail Steamship Company. — A correspondent informs the New York Post that Messrs. Howland & Aspinwall have Unued a circular to leveral houses in California, announcing the intention of the Pacific Mail Steamship Company to reorganize, with an increase of its capital to #2,000,000. They offer to soil all the ships on their line to the company, as it is to be organized by the new subscribers, at their original cost, end the outfits also at their original cost, their wear and tear being taken to be equal to the expense and delay of sending them from the Atlantic sea-boards to their Pacific station. They also announce that they have icaerved 43'50Q,000 of the stock for their friendi on the Pacific who may wish to subscribe. Thege circular! invite tubscripiions. — San Francisco Courier Nov. 23. For California, — We learn from the North American, that the steamsbip Union, recently built and hunched at Philadelphia, is nrarly ready for sea. Her length is 180 feef, depth of hold, 20 feet ; lhe is 26 feet in breadth — is of 595 tons burthen— and her engines are of 350 horse power. She it in'ended for the California trade. In a few days she will be ready to receive freight at Philadelphia; after which she will go to New York, receive additional freight, and s'art for San Francisco, via Rio Janeiro, Valparaiso, and Panama, under the command of C. Murks, — lb Custom house at San Francisco.— The Civil and Diplomatic Appropriation Bill, just passed, contains an appropriat.on of #100 000 for the erection of a new Custom house in this city, to contain rooms for the Postoffire, and the accommodation of its officers ; and also looms for the United States District Courts, the accommodition of its officers, and other Government officers in California, until the whole building is needed for Custom house purposes : Provided, aaid building shall be exemot fnra all State, c ty, or other taxation : And provided further, that the whole cost of the same shall not e,ceed #4 90,01)0.-/6.