, 1853-05-28
From our COwlitz Correspondent.
CowLLrz LANDING. May I6, 1853

MEssRs. McELRoY & BEEBE:
A few very warm days in succession has
so melted the snow in the mountains, that ii
has sweled the Cowlitz 10 much more than
its usual size, and caused it to foam and
rush down its precipitous course in great
wrath, rendering it exceedingly difficult for
even canoes TO force themselves up from be-
low. Consequently but few families have
arrived here since my last We hear, how
ever, that there are families on their way,
waiting for the fury Of the river to subside.
We trust they will not have 10 wait long,
as the the water is falling daily.
From all the indications at this point
from all see and hear, am satised that
Washington Territory is bound to rank high
among the Territories of the United States.
The salubrity of our atmosphere, the rich
ness of our soil, our mineral wealth, surely
yet to be developed, our commercial advan-
lages, our fishing privileges, and our lum-
bering facilities, can but make US, under the
indefatigable energy and perseverance Of
the thousands Of strong and enteTprising
men who are passing into it to make it their
home, one of the richest and noblest of Ter
ritories. And there is room for the thou
sands and tens of thousands who will seek a
home hero in coming years. There is yet
much land TO be possessed. The land up
the Cowlitz, on either side TO this place, is
of the richest quality, and though mostly
timbered, there is much Of il which might
be cleared at triiling expense. 1t is no
more difficult 10 clear than most of the lands
in northern Ohio were, and far exceeds the
land there in richness of soil. The timber
consists chhey Of alder and vine maple.
Efforts arc now being made, by voluntary
contributions, to open wagon road from
the mouth of the CowlitE to Capt Drew's
mill, about two miles from this place. The
route has been examined and found practi-
cable, and men are already at work, under
the direction of few enterprising persons,
in opening the road. Such a road compile
ted will greatly facilitate immigration from
Oregon here. Many of the old settlers in
Oregon are eVen now anxious 10 sell their
claims and remove to this Territory. And
many will do it. speak adviscdly on this
point am personally acquainted with
scores of families who would sell to-morr0w
if they could, with a view Of removing
here. The Cowlitz, however, is the lion in
the way, and if good wagon road can be
obtained, as we have encouragement now
there soon will be, the lion will be shorn Of
his name and deprived of his ugly teeth.
And now, Messrs. Editors, how comes on
the road across the Cascade range Is
there a way 10 be opened for the ten thou
sand emigrauis who have PUGET SOUND "
labeled on their wagons, now struggling
their way across the mighty plains ? How
beats the pulse Of liberality about the Sound ?
Gentlemen, this is q work that mast Be done.
II is a question in which every man in the
Territory has an interest. This accession
to the population, and wealth, and enter
prise Of our Territory loe must haze. We
cannot afford the loss. If every man in the
Territory were 10 lose cow worth 500,
the loss would be triAe in comparison 10
the loss we shall sustain il we lose this i'm
migration. Where are those subscription
papersl Why have not some Of them been
poked out this way2 For my part ! am
poor-l have a large family-have not been
in The Territory but few weeks-have not
yyf got a claim, but, God willing, mean to
have. l mean 10 make this Territory my
home and the home OF my children-so you
may just mark me down for $50, providing
the work goes ahead.
And now, Messrs. Editors, a word about
big trees, and l will trouble you no more at
this time. | understand you have very
large timber on the Sound, and l am coming
over one of these days 10 look at it. In the
meantime, permit me to say that there are
some tolerably good sized trees on the Cow
litz. One tree ying PROSTATE on the earth
about one hundred yards from this place,
had the curiosity 10 measure, and herewith
send you the dimensions. At the root it is
10 feet in diameter-100 feet from the root
it measures 6 feet inches diameter. The
whole tree is 266 feet in length.
Yours truly, OBSERVER.