, 1853-07-30
From Our steIIacOOm COrrespOndsnt
STEILAcooM, July 25, 1854


FRIEND McELRoY This is ano,heror
the many warm days we have had Of las
but by little "judicious management, VI
have succeeded in getting fixed in preu,
comfortable position, where can receive m.
benefit Of what little air there is stirnA.s
and unless some "uniorseen circumstances =
happens 10 divert my attention, will soi,
you rambling sort of yarn upon natter
and things in this section, and the stale oI
public opinion in regard 10 the more prom.
inent topics Of the day.
In the first place, although not, perhsn.
first in importance, ! shall give you few
thoughts of my own, upon subjects that an
more or less interesting to the readers Of II,
" Columbian, " and the community geuer
ally; and afterwards, if find il sdvsbl.
to lengthen my communication, say word
or two upon general matters, and the ligh
in which they are regarded by the public.
You are doubtless full well aware that many
excursions, both profitable and pleasant b
the parties Immediately interested, have ben
made from time to time, within the last fsr
years, TO some Of the most interesting po,.
tions Of our new territory, by men eminenl
ly qualified by education and good judgmea.
to impart great deal Of useful in(ormatu
10 the many thousands scattered over ow
whole country, who are anxious TO gain,
correct knowledge of our, as yet, but pr.
TALLY known territory; and, that with but
few exceptions, they have failed 10 do 50, n
the way most proper and effective, Wis
through the medium of your paper. |
know that you are both willing and anxiou
10 receive communications Of This naIure
and regret in common with myself andmauy
others, that so much valuable KNOWLEDGE
and so many items Of real interest, should
be kept hidden from a public so eageTssh
this, after information, when the means O.
imparting il are so readily 10 be found inths
shape of your valuable journal. Ft
1t is sincerely to be regretted thalp
many lights should be hidden under bush.
el, and so many talents buried when hy
placing the first in the columns of the GO.
lumbar the whole community might re
and bo benefited and by using The ohei,
scatter useful knowledge over the county.
/" Don't be backward in a good cause any
longer, gentlemen. "Toe the markp d
duty, by publishing in our public journah
whatever interesting intelligence you may
have cleaned, that thereby knowledge may
be scattered over the " whole unboundsd
continent. " RecOllect that the eyes q
thousands, aye, Of millions, beyond de
=" Rocky Mountains are directed hiiha.
ward, and that they are ihirsiing for knOWl
edge Of the geography, climate, productions
nature Of soil, extent Of farming country
number and size Of rivers, quality Of timbg
in the forests, locality Of mill sites, genenl
face of the country, Practicabiliiy of lhe dis
ferent passes through the Cascade MouE
tains, for roads, and hundred other thing
of minor importance and that thoughlid
these have been created and famed into %.
tivity, by the much-talked Of, and seriously
contemplated work Of rail road across IL
great American continent, which Is 10 knd
its terminus at some point upon Puget Sound
Reflect but a moment upon the great and
immensely beneficial results that must accFu
to our Territory from such a magni6csui
work, and the truth will fash like lightning
upon your minds, that il becomes ever
man to impart TO the world all the knovL
edge that he may possess, that has anybe,r
ing upon this great enterprise, or that elnin
the least enhance its success.
Gentlemen, the columns OF The Colun-
bian are open to you, and better channs
through which to give the world a corred
knowledge of Washington Territory 70.
cannot reasonably ask for. Wisely snd
firmly resolve, that "a round, unvaruIbsd
tale you will deliver" " Of the advanlusad
our new Territory, and in few years yOu
will witness the glorious results Of your 4
forts TO do good, in the completion Of once
the most magnificent and useful works eVf
projected by man.
1t was not my intention when comment
ed this to say more than a word or Two uP-
on this subject, having others in my mind
upon which meant 10 give thought or oi
but the immense importance Of the cOnten-
plated work, and the necessity that expa
for all, in this Territory especially, 70 ~
whatever they can in lis favor, came hons
to my mind so strongly that could nob -
common justice, say less, even in an ordin,'
ry newspaper article. What ] have aa.
however, is but drop in the bucket
compared with what can and will DO wrTiin
by men better qualified than myself, for Do
subject is of such weighy importance .,
large portion of the world, that the pens .
thousands of the first minds in our os'
country and in Europe, will be enlisted ?
the cause.
! have not strictly complied with ~
promise at the outset, but the reason i o.
vious, and you will pardon me. B.
BRIDAL.-lt is said that the Secreiaya
The Navy's visit southwark is Of a matrine
NAL order, and that he will return tctn
capitol with " fair ladie'' as blu'nns
bride.
The Hon. Secretary, who is srsnuos