, 1852-12-11
Meeting of Congress-Northern
Oregon-its Wants, Ggrievan-
ces, Interests, 60, SC.

Oregon-lts wants, GgrleVan-
ces, Interests, 60, sc. 4
The congress of the United States, and
the territorial legislature of Oregon met on
Monday last-the former to legislate for the
wants and interests of the people of thirty
two states and four organized territories
the latter for the present "territory of Ore
gon "-northern aud southern.
In the beslowmcnt OF iavors, the re-
dress Of grievances, and 10 the considera-
tion Of matters and measures in general per-
tanning to the requirements necessary in
keeping in motion the machinery of our
vast republic, the former have a vast field
to survey--important, varied and complica-
ted-all imperiously demanding instant and
decisive action by that body. Such being
the case, it could not be expected that any
very considerable attention should be directed
towards this supposed unimportant part Of
the above territory. Yet, as states are sup
posed to be able 10 take care of themselves,
in their sovereign capacity, and require not
the muni6cent hand of congress for appIo-
priations in aid of their internal improve
ments and as congress is supposed to be
the peculiar and only guardian Of terrific
rles-requiring its fostering care and pro-
tecting arm, it is most apparent, and the
conclusion is most irresistible, that, insig-
ni6cant and unimportani, those territories or
any fractional portions thereof may seem,
the people residing therein have a right to
be HEARD; and that it is the duty Of
the power designated, 10 turn paternal ear
TO the voice of their supplications, and dis
passiOnately consider the propriety of an ac-
quiescese in what they may rightfully and
justly DEMAND.
We conceive il TO be the province of the
territorial press 10 set forth clearly THE
WANTS, THE GRIEVANCES, AND
THE INTERESTS REQUIRING THE
PROTECTION OF CONGRESS, in order
that that body may thereby be induced to
EXAMINE into such wants, &C., and af.
ford that means of relief and consideration
which pressing exigencies may require
promptly. and with that spirit of generOs-
ity, which should dignity the representatives
of the great American people.
We have in previous numbers enlarged
somewhat in reference 10 the wants, griev-
nnees, and interests of this portion of Ore
gOn, demanding action by congress, and it
many not be inopportune at this time to re.
capitulate in general terms.
The people of this part Of the country
have recently been advised, whether truth.
fully or not we cannot positively say,) that
congress, at its last session, made provision
for the establishment of mail route from
San Francisco to the head of Puget Sound.
If this be true, the wants and interests Of
our people demand that it go into instant
operation and if such provision has not
been made, the growing importance of the
Sound, and northern Oregon generally re-
quires that congress give the subject its ear
liest possible attention-provide at once for
its establishment, and put ii under immedi,
ate contract. We have less than one hun,
dred miles Of mail Route for the supply Of
a territory as large as The state of Ohio, and
the settlements along the Sound and Straits,
for distanceof near two hundred miles, are
entirely without mail facilities Of any kind.
Is congress aware of the shipping interest
which the Sound is attracting? Is aware
Of the rapidity with which settlements are
springing up along its shores
Another great, and if possible the most
important project, and which should occu-
py the earliest consideration of congress
in reference TO territories, is the immediate
survey and construction of military road
from fort Walla-Walla, leading across the
the Cascade mountains inlo northern Ore.
gon. The territory Of northern Oregon is
completely hemmed in by almost insur-
mOuntable barriers-rugged mountains, and
streams Of the most difficult and dangerous
navigation. 1t is due TO the quiet and safe
ty Of the present residents of northern Or
sgon, no less than to the military station
which the government has placed within our
borders, that suitable means of ingress and
egress for troops be provided by congress for
their exit or entrance over the mountains
and up and down the Cowliiz river. Roads
are waning in both directions specified no,
only for government purposes, but as great
thoroughfares for American chizens-immi-
grants, seeking ihis country as their future
hsme. In the present altitude of affairs
military aceessions are almost entirely preolu.