, 1853-12-24
PIERCE COUNTY
About the Cascade Road-Cost of
Observation-Disclosures Salts
factory Adjustment. y

factory AuJuSCLnenI'
The history Of the pasI year conthins a
chapter of events and accidents combining
in every respect to point out this portion of
what s0as Oregon territory as the future
great commercial mart of the Pacific. The
timely establishment of our Territory, and
the fortunate exploration of the Northern
railway route by Gov. Stevens, terminating
at the Sounds harbor in which the COM
bined navies of the world might safely ride
At anchor, casts forward the shadow of
coming events too plainly 10 be mistaken
for a moment. The favorable action for
our Territory by the legislative assembly Of
last winter, bTough. about by our indus
trious representative, and through the inde-
fatigable exertions Of Gen. Lane in Con-
gress, in our behalf, we have advanced al
once 10 a position not only desirable but
snviable in the highest degree. Through
the recommendation Of our legislature and
the inslrumenlality of Gen. Lane, an sp-
preparation was attained al the hands of
Congress Of $4,000 for the survey of
military road leading from Fort Walla-walla
to Fort Steilacoom, which duty has just
been ably, and as is believed will BE- con-
sidered satisfactorily performed by Capt.
Mcclellan, and the intention of Govern
ment fully and successfully carried out.
In consequence Of desire on the part of
the people of this Territory to co operate
with Government, to the end that a road
might be constructed across the Cascade
mountains for the ingress Of the immigra-
tiOn into our borders the present year, pub
hc meetings were called and the project at
once conceived of making an Independent
survey from this 10 the eastern slope of the
Cascade mountains, and Immediately there
sher, Of placing parties on the route for the
construction Of an Immigrant road, hoping
that Government might adopt the same as
the groundwork of the military road refer
red to, or at all events, that those engaged
at work thereon, would, from some source,
or insome event, be suitably rewarded for
the labor expended. Messrs. E. ]. Allen
and Whilheld Kirtley were selected as
chiefs Of parties for the cOnsummation Of
the object contemplated, and Immediately
enlisted the service Of persons for The per-
formanee of the task, 10 be divided between
the eastern and western portions thereof
That these gentlemen, and the parties under
them, are entitled to the gratitude Of the
people Of the Territory for the manner in
which they have discharged their duties in
the making Of valuable public improve
mcnt, none, we presume, will pretend to
deny, any nose than they would withhold
from lhom the just reward for their SER
vices.
A few persons Of Olympia and surround
ing country, possessing, to some extent, the
elements which direct public spirit and en-
terpfise, put their shoulders to the wheel,
and determined that the parties engaged in
the work should be PrOrisioned al least, and
let them trust to the future (if they were
willing), for full payment for their services.
They have met the full expectations of the
PsOple Of the Territory, but how arc they
TO meet with their reward J?
As matter Of statistical information We
would observe, that Mr.. Z. J. Allen has
furnished Us with data, from which we ar
rive at the following facts and conclusions :
That the whole Terriioy has felt deep
Interest in tue comPl -tion Of lh, road in
SINE for lha immigratiou Of til, pr,ecut