, 1853-01-08
The Sound our Coal-Resources
of the new Territory of "Co-
lumbia."

To persons at distance, unacquaInted,
with the geographical position ofthe Sound,
Straits, &c.-the length, breadth, and the
safety Of the navigation of their waters, a
few observations connected Herewith might
not serve Improbable by way Of informa-
ton and as matters Of general interest 1t
is considered but little short Of two hun
d.ed miles fo63 the head of the Sound,
(Olympia,) to Cape Flatiery-running one
half the distance almost directly north, and
thence west to the Pacifc-en entering The
ocean near the forty-ninth parallel of north
LATITUDE, the centre of which, for consiI-
cradle distance, forming the boundary line
between the United States and the British
possessions The entrance 10 the Strait is
about nine miles in width, and will average
from eight 10 eighteen in breadth, from its
cnrance to The narrows five miles in
length and one in breadth, at the termina-
tion Of which, the waters of Puget Sound,
proper, are entered upon, varying from one
and half to six miles in width throughout
its various inlets-the Sound and Strait be-
ing each about one hundred miles in length,
with an average depth, at low tide, Of from
twenty-five 10 thirty thoroughly
sheltered from one end 10 the olher-hav-
ing bold shores and sufficient depth Of wa
ter 10 allow vessels to approach to within a
very short distance of the land. The perfect
safely attending its entrance and exit
the placid character Of its waiers-the an
cbOrago SO excellent, and lis inaecessibility
10 heavy winds so perfect, that it may be
called one continuous harbor throughout its
entire length, and is probably unrivalled by
any body Of water in the world, for IFS free
dom from gales, depth of water, number of
perfect haTbors, facilities for watering, val
liable fisheries, superior quality and extent
Of the timber on either side, and The access
ible and magnificent water power furnished
BY various streams at desirable points.
Budd's Inlet, being the extreme south
eTn terminus Of the Sound, is the point at
which Olympia is situated, and about one
half of the present improved town plot is
subject to overflow during few hours, at
extreme high tide, although it is in contem-
Plaiion, the coming summer, TO construct an
embanknent and leyee 10 efFeciually pre-
vent any foundation beyond prescribed
limit, and extend piers to deep water for
iheiaccOmmodation of shipping. High tide
Onthe Inlet, is from ten to twenty-ihree feet,
allowing the largest vessels to arrive, dis
charge, load, and depart at convenience, in
close proximity with our business houses,
FithOut expense Of PilOluge or towage, and
With perfect safety, .r,
y has been pretty thoroughly understood
foea series OF years, that the only induce
mens or advantage accruing to Great But
ain, BY reiaining possession Of the Canadas,
'ma5 Be fOund in the worth Of their valuable
hshefies and timber and the superior quail
ily Of the latter article afforded by the Bal
Tic, is rapidly depreciating the value of the
Canadas in this respect. Independent Of
those considerations, 50 abundantly possess.
ed by northern Oregon, il is supposed that
vein of coal extends throughout the entire
territory moth Of tho Columbia river. Dis
coveries have been made at divers places ad-
jaeenI 10 navigation on the Sound, and
specimen forwarded 10 The Secretary of the
Navy, from the Steiaquamish river, BY
gentleman Of this territory, and thol Oushly
anayized by Mr.. W. R. JOHNSON, a prac.
ticaf geologisi, has been pronounced by (bat
gentleman the purest American coal he had
ever examined-nearly free from sulphur
and lis burning attended with brilliant and
beautiful flame. We have bul recently men,
toned Ihei fact Of important discoveries
having been made on the Skookum Chuck,
Chickeeles rivers, and also on Vancouver's
Island, and that a company, deeply inter
esIed in the use Of coal, and of almost uD-
limited means and facilities, were complet-
ing arrangements for the trial of sufficient
quantity to test its utility for purposes of
steam, and il found practicable, 10 enter at
once upon the use of the means which will
ultimately supply full demand for the
wants Of the Pacific coast. The SkOokum
Chuck coal fields from which the. trial will
be made, are situated but(s few miles from
the head Of Puget Sound, from,which a rail
road could easily be constructed to ship nav
igalion; and as soon as the weather will
permiI 10 Justify the Necessary exeavation