Excerpt from The Exploration of the Columbia River by Lieutenant W.R. Broughton: An Extract from the Journal of Captain George Vancouver. Longview, WA: Press of the Longview Daily News, Longview, 1926, pp. 22-23.
The next morning (October 29th) they again proceeded up the river and had a distant view of Mt. St. Helens lying N. 42 E. In sounding across the river, whose width was there about a quarter of a mile, from three to twelve fathoms water was found. Owing to the rapidity of the stream against them they were under the necessity of stopping to dine at not more than four or five miles from their resting place; there it was low water at noon, and though the water of the river evidently rose afterwards, yet the stream continued to run rapidly down. The greatest perpendicular rise and fall appeared to be about three feet. In this situation the latitude was observed to be 45 degrees 41 minutes, longitude 237 degrees, 20 minutes; when Mt. St. Helens was seen lying from hence N. 38 E. or a distance from Point Warrior of about eight miles.
In their way hither they had passed two Indian villages on the west side of the river and had been joined by a hundred and fifty of the natives in twenty-five canoes. To avoid any surprise they dined in their boats; this precaution, however, was unnecessary, for on some trivial presents being made a trade immediately commenced, in which the Indians conducted themselves with the utmost decorum. No attempts were made to pass the line drawn on the beach, excepting by two, who appeared to be the principal chiefs, and who were permitted to join the party. These seemed to be very well disposed, and inclined to communicate every information, but unfortunately for our gentlemen, a total ignorance of the Indians’ language precluded their profiting by these friendly intentions.
At one o’clock they quitted their dinner station, and after rowing about five miles still in the direction of the river S. 5 E., they passed on the western side of a small river leading to the southwestward; and half a mile further on the same shore came to a larger one that took a more southerly course. In the entrance of the latter, about a quarter of a mile in width, are two small woody islets; the jacent [sic] country extending from its banks presented a most beautiful appearance. This river Mr. Broughton distinguished by the name of River Mannings. Its southern point of entrance, situated in latitude 45 degrees 39 minutes, longitude 237 degrees 21 minutes; commanded a most delightful prospect of the surrounding region, and obtained the name of Belle Vue Point; from whence the branch of the river, at least that which was so considered, took a direction about S. 57 E. for a league and a half. A very high, snowy mountain now appeared rising beautifully conspicuous in the midst of an extensive tract of low or moderately elevated land lying S 67 E., and seemed to announce a termination to the river. From Belle Vue Point they proceeded in the above direction, passing a small wooded island, about three miles in extent, situated in the middle of the stream. Their route was between this island and the southern shore, which is low; the soundings between its northwest point and the main land were three fathoms, increasing to four, five and six off its southeast point; from whence the river took its course S 75 E. This obtained the name of Menzies’ Island, near the east end of which is small sandy, woody island that was covered with wild geese. From Belle Vue Point a small stream of flood had attended them to this station; but here a rapid downward current was met, though it was by no means high water.
