The republic. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1849-1853, 1850-01-09

prudence, and which secures to every person ac-
eused Of offence trial by jury; they are there
restrained by stringent rules for the protection of
personal liberty
We object entirely TO summary convictions, in
volving the liberty OF the citizen they entirely
opposed to the spirit of institutions and are the
fruitful source OF oppression and tyranny by petty
authorities.
In regard TO the past practice under the existing
law, the Governor exposes an amount either OF
careessness, or ignorance, criminal disregard OF
the rights of citizens truly startling. He says he
has been led to these remarks by an investigation
made during the past year, and embodied In pre-,
sentiment of grand jury in which it is represented
that of hundred and forty six persons at that
time confined in the pcnientiary OF the city OF New
York upon charge OF yagrancy whose commit.
ments had been examined, two hundred and
twenty two had been confined for matters which
do not constitute yagrancy, under any description
OF it, as defined by our statutes, but because the
offence charged is poverty, sickness, or desutuuon
while of the whole number OF seven hundred and
forty-s only three were lawfully imprisoned"
[coaREspoNDENcE OF THE NEW YORK TRIBUNE.l
Puget's sound.
FoRT NIsaUALLy, (Or. Ter.) Aug. Is, ls49.
The place from which, write is situated near the
head OF Puget's sound Here is a farm belonging
TO Pugets Sound Company, commenced in 1929,
and supported principally by gentlemen of the Had-
sons bay Company. Wheat and potatoes cul-
tvated here, though with less success than at other
places only few miles distant, where the soil is
much more fertile. The ranges of beautiful prairie
land, along the Sound, between the mouths OF Mis-
qualify and Pugallippi rivers, and extending east
about twenty or twenty-five miles, are chiefly used
as pasturagc for herds, consisting of 400 horses,
$500 neat cattle, 10000 sheep, and few hogs.
The district of country above indicated, and en-
bracing about 625 square miles, is that which Tin
addition to the Cowlitz FARM is claimed under the
Oregon treaty, by the Pugets Sound Company
To describe its limits particularly, is bound
ed on the west by Puget's Sound, on the north by
the Pugallippi river, the south by the Nisqualy
river, and the east by an imaginary line, distant
about twenty-five miles from Pugets Sound.
Nothing perhaps can exceed the beauty and
safety of Pugets sound, Admiralty inlet, and
Hoods canal. They are large enough to admit of
all the fleets in the world anchoring in them at the
same time. There is nothing to prevent them from
being navigated by the largest ships of war.
tide Of eighteen feet, with many other natural ia
cilties renders the construction OF docks for the
pair of vessels easy and comparatively inexpensive
Al several places along the shores there
indentations wide enough at their opening TO admit
of two vessels entering at the same time, and hav
ing small creeks flowing in at the head The en-
trance being secured by wall and gate, vessels
could enter upon the tide. Being once in, and the
gate closed, the water from the stream flowing into
Il would raise the vessel to any required height.
An almost inc xhaustible supply OF cedar and fir,
of a superior quality, grows in the immediate vicin-
ity. There is likewise abundance of good oak
for knee-timber. Added TO all this, there are at
many places along the shores an unexceed water
power for saving ship lumber In short, there is
nowhere on the Pacific coast place affording
many important facilities for building and repair
ing ships as the waters Of Hoods canal Admiralty
inlet, and Pugets sound. They can be defended,
likewise, with great ease and little expense. The
entrance to Pugets sound is by place called the
Narrows, which are only one mile wide. small
fertilization on each shore would effectually COM
mand it, The entrance to Hoods canal is only
about two miles wide. Notifications each side
would keep out the whole navy of the British en-
pre- The portage between the south end of Hoods
canal and Pugcts sound is perhaps less than three
miles. The climate OF the surrounding country is
pleasant, and the soil generally productive.
With all these advantages, above those possessed
by the Bay of San Francisco, in Upper California,
IL is remarkable that they should have attracted SO
little attention. The officers sent to the Pacific
coast by the General Government, previous to the
discovery of gold in California, and since the time
Of Commodore Wilkes survey Of Puget's sound
Admiralty inlet, and Hoods canal, have confined
their operations 10 California, where, during the
Mexican war. they purchased grazing farms and
town lots, and thus became directly Interested in
making such representations respecting the Bay of
San Francisco would probably induce the Gene
raj Government 10 build docks at San Francisco,
and 10 establish naval station there. Since the
time of the discovery Of gold in California, the
QUESTION OF this precious metal seems TO have alb
sorbed the attention of both the Government and
the people of the United States. The few officers
directly connected with the territorial govern
ment, who have been ordered TO proceed 10 Ore
gon, have all terminated their journey in Caliior-
mia, and have gone TO dig gold, or have commenced
specializing in town property. Rowland 4 Aspin-
walls steamers have never entered the Columbia,
and the mail Is sent by transient sail vessels, and
at very Irregular intervals.
The foregoing facts will show some Of the
sons why our beautiful harbors have been neglected
by the Government
Yours. &c, ACHILLES DE HARLEY.