, 1852-09-18


Ahout four weeks ago, parry Of young men,
consisting Of Mc.srs. R. $. Bailey. =. 5. Ford, jr.
and Johu Edgar, undertook an expedition to Mt.
Rainier, for the purpose of a,ceLd'ns That noun
tain as far as circumstance, might warrant Ra.
n.cr, 1s all aware is si,ua;cJ in the main Cas-
cade range, distan, from its base TO Oympil about
iiy five miles. On arriving at the foo, o the
mountain the party secuiei their animals, and
par'ucd their way upward by the backbone ridge
10 the mlan body Of the mounlaia, ani to the
.cishth, as near as they could judge, # nine OF
ten ui!es-the last half nile ever snow of the
tspIl probably Of Gity feet bot perfectly cruslel
and solid. The party were two days in reaching
their chest altitude, and they describe the noun
tain as extremely rugged and didisult Of ascent ;
on the slopes and table land they found luxuri-
ant growth Of grass, far exceeding in freshness and
yigor any afforded by the pra.rics below. On
some Of these table lands they found Leaulrul
akcs-fiom half to a mile ia circuu .,rcupe
formed ircm mountain streams, and the 'uelting Of
snow. The party remained at their last amp, up
ward, two days and nights, where they fare stump
tuously On The game afforded by the mountain
which they iound very numerous, in t''o shape of
brown bear, mounlin goat deer, &c. win an
endless variety Of the ieAthe,cl scnas the side Of
The mounlain was literally covered .th every des-
cHption of berries, Of the most delicious flavor.
The party had perfect view Of the Sound and
surrounding country-recosnisn the numerous
prairics with which they were familiar, to which
were added in lher observations, several stranger
Praries, Of which they had no knowledge, and
which, probably, have never been explored The
erehings and mornings were extremely cold, with
a wind strong and piercng-the noon.day sun op-
pressively warm.
They describe their view of the surrounding
country and scenery as most enchanting, and con
slider themselves richly rewarded for their toll in
procuring it. This is the first party Of whites, we
believe, tha. has ever attempted to ascend Rainier.
Not being provided with instruments for taking
minute observations, aud there being a constant
og and mist along the range of mountains, the
party were unable 10 make any very satisfactory
discoveries in relation 10 practicable route across
them; yet Mr.. Ford informs u.s. that he noticed
several passes ct intervals through the mountains,
which, far he could see, gave satisfactory cv-
idence that good route could be surveyed, and q
road cut through with all ease.
Who can calculate the benefit that would have
accrued to the Puget Sound country, had its citi-
zons taken sufficient interes; he project 10 have
located road across the mountains for the incress
Of this years immigration Instead Of !hc m,,l
body Of the present influx going into the William
cite, Umpqus, Rogue River and Shasta valleys,
they would have gladly wendej their way to this
still more inviting territory. Hundreds of claims
would already have been taken, ana mechanic
shops established wherever the wants Of the people
might have required them. Commercial, and all 9th.
or interests would have received an impetus before
unlrelmcd Of, and the county advanced in i'm
por''noo in single year. what would take ten
years, by the present taFdy movements Of settle
ment and improvement Let the people on the
Sound be true to their interests tho coming year,
and turn their attention as early next spring as
practicable, in surveying route and esablishin ?
a road across tho Cascade and for every dollar
expended in the project they WILL in the end, re-
ceive an hundred per cert interest.