, 1853-01-01
The Territory of "Columbia"-un-
known to its own Residents
Importance of a thorough Ex-
ploratiOn, sc.

importance OF d IuOI IOu5n LA
ploratiOn, &c. ~
Perhaps no portion of territory of the
United States, having been partially occu-
pied as long as that of northern Oregon-of
equal extcnt-of equal resources, and pre-
senting as many interesting and captivating
inducements for exploration, about which as
little is generally known as to the charac-
ter of the interior, as the territory north of
the Columbia river. No party has ever
been formed, we believe, with that enter
prise in view, and the crippled means of the
early settlers, as also of those who have fol-
lowed in their footsteps, has nPventcd them
from extending their surveys and observa-
tions but little beyond their own locations,
and the settlements already formed around
them. Indeed we have been told Of per-
sons who had taken, as they supposed, tim
bered claims, throughout, and had resided
thereon from three to six months, before ma
king the discovery that third or half there
Of was beautiful and fertile prairie land.
Immediately along the Sound, and on Ell
ther side of our rivers, and various streams
of any consequence, heavy growth Of mag
nifcent red and white fir, cedar, maple, al
der, &C., extends back for a considerable
distance, which have rarely been penetrated
10 the prairie country unless for settlement.
Being almost destitute Of roads, and unable
10 gain much satisfactory information from
the Indians, who but seldom leave sight of
the waters which afford them the means of
existence, il should not be matter Of much
surprise that our country is comparatively
unknown, and that hundreds of its inviting
and productive Prairies have never yet been
visited by the pioneers Of civilization.
Under all these unfavorable circumstances
however, some Of our citizens have at diff
erent times taken the trouble to penetrate the
woodland to the plains in various directions,
far removed from any settlement, and to
them we are indebted for what little knowl-
edge we may possess in relation to the un-
occupied portions Of our territory. ,,
Whidby's Island--ihe farthest settlement
down the Sound, with the exception Of
those at the thriving and fine commercial
town site Of Port Townsend, and at New
DuDgeness-has gained throughout the ter
IitOry, the almost universal and enviable ap-
pellation Of "THE GARDEN OF OREaoN."--'
Being about eighty miles in length, and from
five to fifteen in breadth-(a admirably adapt
ed in size aud position to constitute coun-
ty)-itis interspersed throughout with excel
lent timbered land Of oak, pine, &C., and
prairies Of the most delightful and valuable
description. Weare told that there are not
10 exceed thirty claims taken on the Island,
and the safety of the harbor moi only at
Penn's Cove, but at convenient intervals
along both sides Of its entire length, gives
every assurance that at no distant day the
foreign commercial intercourse with the
Island will be the means Of converting it
into a "GARpEN " iH fat, as we'll as in
name. In isdetermined by the people there,
we understand, 10 have saw and Touring
mills erected as speedily as possible, and the
high character for enterprise and intelligence
borne by the citizens of the Island warrants
the conclusion that town of noiinconsid-
cradle importance will be the seat Of justice
for a county yet in embryo, and that all ne
eessary improvements for public convenience
will be vigorously forwarded for the benefit
of all who may hereafter make their home
on the Island, and become part and parcel
Of very desirable community.
We are informed by a gentleman who
last summer proceeded up the Dewamish
river and one Of its tributaries for dis
tance Of abouttwenty miles from the Sound,
and then taking course directly back from
the stream for few miles, came upon a
prairie 10 the extent, as he supposed, Of at
least twenty miles in circumference, and
bounded on the east by the base Of the Cas-
cade mountains. Our informant spent some
time in riding through it, and was highly de-
lighted with its peculiar adaptation for farm
ing and stock growing. This prairie, with
perhaps hundreds Of others, is entirely IN
occupied, and likely to remain so until such
time as roads can be constructed at suitable
places for gaining access to them.
There are inpumerable bays and inlets on
the Sound which perhaps no white man has
ever explored, and on The margins of many
of which, as we have reason 10 believe, most
excellent and desirable claims await the oc-
enpaney of the industrious and hardy immi-
grant from the western states. gel"