Richmond daily times. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1853, 1853-03-29

WASHINGTON TERRITORY.

Among the few acts of positive legislation consummated
at the Session of Congress just concluded that organ-
zing the Territory of Washington is of the
important and interesting. 1t adds another
to that ladder empire which this growing nation is
mounting to the oitiest heights of political
This ultima thule of domain forms the northwestern
block in the huge mosaic whereon national
energies are to expend themselves. We need not to
look forward longer territorial probation than be-
tween five and ten years ere this far off land shall seek
an honorable entry into great family of States.
"Washiagton Territory $50 named with singular inap
propriateness and contributing fresh confusion
already confused nomenclature, will have to be changed
comprises the northern portion othe recent Oregon Ter
rlver up to near Fort Waa-Wal (some two hundred
and ninety miles, where the parallel of 46 deg of latitude
ntersects it, thence by this parallel to the crest of the
Rocky Mountains thence the boundary follows the
tain crest to latitude 40 deg, and thence west
this parallel TO the Gulf OF Georgia and the Straits of Fuca
to the Pacific by which it is limited the west. We
derive from scientific and well informed
particulars respecting this Territory readily access
Bile to the public, which we present to readers
"Washnston Territory" lies chiefly between ATTITUDES
46o and 49 and between longudes 100 and 1859
of Greenwich. The boundary initial points and para
les must be accurately determined and be
decided where the crest of the Rocky Mountains really
is This latter problem may not be OF solution for
Lewis Clark Father de Smet the Irving Astoria Map,
and the Indian Bureau and Typographical Bureau
all represent these mountains differently Lewis &
Clark exhibit four distinct ranges with which the best
explorations essentially agree indicating least
three parallel ranges running nearly northwest instead
of the prevalent indication of single north and
south range Explorat on show the necessity of
moath OF Frazer river SO near to latitude 49 that
portion of it may be found fall in the United States
though this improbable There thus several impor
geographical questions connected with the bounda
res of this neophyte State.
washington Territory has within its limits portions
well explored and others nearly unknown eau
| be found west of the Miss sspp The Columbia river
thoroughly surveyed by Captain Wilkes two sheets
| out of six being now published 1t was surveyed by
Becher in 1880 and two sheets are published among the
! Admir- atty charts. The Coast Survey has twice
veyed its mouth, and published sheet A compari
remarkable degree of shifting in the sand banks at its
| mouth Shoawater Bay has been surveyed by the
Harbor has also been just surveyed and this with Chick
alees river has been surveyed and the survey published
by Captain Wilkes. The Admiralty charts the
Straits of Fuca and many harbors the mainland and
| on Vancouver's Island.
A Coast Survey reconnaissance has extended up
the entire Pacific and along the south ofthe
Straits of Fuca, and will be published. The
veys under Capt Wilkes and his narrative give full in
formation the group of islands in the Gulf of eor-
gia. and the channels leading to and making up Puget
SOUND with much detail The shores of this wonderful
work of channels favored in soil and location
that they must soon possess great value Through
surprising of line they directly accessible for
vessels, and. form it were, immense work
of harfor. They present the foundation for kind
agricultural Venice far into the heart the west half OF
Washington the Of which they will greatly
aid in developing. Fort Nsqualy and Olympia the
8 southern extremity of Pngets Sound rapidly adj.
with the growth of the Territory
The interior portion OF this section is bat imperecty
known. The land Office surveys north of the Columbia
have yet made bat little progress; but the SIX -tehes
prepared in that Office give recent and correct in
formation than is elsewhere be found on the section
between that river and Pugefs Sound On penetrating
further towards the Rocky Mountains the country is es
sentally unknown. The narrative of Lewis and Clark
the Book on Oregan Missions, by Father de Smet pub
: lshsd IN New York IN 1884, and Irvngs Astoria THE
last edition. are the chief publications of value this
ground These serve merely show that the country
bordering the Rocky Mountains between 462 aud ~ on
both sides. Is stu line field for xporaton Much ma
be expected from DIR. Evans who is engaged in geol
eiealreeonnoissance OF the old Oregon Territory whe
has taken him much among the Rocky Mountains aud
overther basal plains -Aat. Int.