Papers Relating to the Foreign Relations of the United States, Transmitted to Congress with the Annual Message of the President, December 2, 1872, Part II, Volume V

Extracts from the Affidavit of William J. Waitt.

United States of America, Territory of Washington, ss:

I, William J. Waitt, of the City of Olympia, County of Thurston, and Territory aforesaid, do solemnly declare upon oath that I am *a master mariner, of the age of thirty-two years; that I came to Victoria, Vancouver’s Island, in the spring of 1868, and for the next four years was engaged in steamboating between said City of Victoria and Fraser’s River, in British Columbia; fifteen months of that period I was master, the remainder pilot and mate. In 1862 I commenced running between Victoria and Olympia, with occasional trips from Victoria to New Westminster. During all this time the canal de Haro has been the only channel used in going from Victoria or the Straits of Fuca, northward into the Gulf of Georgia and places on the Northern Coast. I know both Haro Canal and Rosario Straits. The first is the only one ever used in the large trade between Puget Sound and the British Columbia Mines; between Victoria and the said mines; between San Francisco and the main land of British Columbia. It is the only one by which the heavy coal trade of Nanaimo Mines is carried on. It is straighter, shorter, deeper, fewer rocks, less currents, and is much the safest route, particularly going through at night or in a fog.[81]Affidavits on the canal of Haro.

I am intimately acquainted with Capts. McNeil, Swanson, Ella, and Lewis. I knew Capt. Morrat in his life-time. They are old Captains who were in the service of the Hudson’s Bay Company as early as 1840. I have talked with each and all of them on these matters, as it was my business to learn. * * * * * * *

All their statements to me justify my declaration upon oath, that since Fort Victoria was established on Vancouver Island, this channel was exclusively used in all trips of their steamers, between said Fort Victoria and their trading-posts North on the Gulf of Georgia, and on the upper Fraser’s River. No other channel but this was talked about by either of them. None other had ever been used in their regular trade, since Fort Victoria was established, which I believe on information was in 1842. Capt. McNeil told me he had been through here in his own vessel, which he brought from Boston, before he was bought out by the Hudson’s Bay Company, and employed in the Company’s service. He also spoke of going through in the steamer Beaver, of which he was Master, when Captain Wilkes was here. * * * * * *Haro channel used exclusively for northern trade since establishment of Fort Victoria in 1842.

The Northern Indians always came and went by the same channel in their trips to Victoria, and over to Washington Territory, since I have been here; and from information, and knowledge of Indian customs, I state the opinion they always did use such Canal de Haro in their trips to and from Victoria and their Northern *residences. They always used the same channel when coming to the American side of the straits of Fuca, and the settlements on Puget sound.[82]Affidavits on the canal de Haro.

CAPT. W. J. WAITT.

Territory of Washington, County of Thurston, ss:

Before me, Joseph H. Houghton, Clerk of the Supreme Court of said Territory, came William J. Waitt, who being first duly sworn, did depose and say that he had carefully read the foregoing statement, and knew the contents thereof; that the same had been dictated by him. And that so much thereof as was stated from his own knowledge was true, and so much thereof as was stated on information he verily believes to be true.

In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and affixed the seal of said Court, this sixteenth day of March, A. D. 1872.

[seal.]

JOSEPH H. HOUGHTON, Cleric Sup. Ct. W. T.