, 1853-02-12

Vessels are advertised for San Francisco,
China and London, while coasters ply be-
tween local points in the Straits, for the ac-
commodation of travellers. The columns OF
the "Columbian " exhibit tie names OF
merchants, lawyers, hotel keepers, butchers,
bakers, &C., which shows that the germ OF
a town exists there, which will expand into
a commercial city of no small importance
before ten years shall have passed.
MemOrial.-In another column will be
found memorial to congress which passed
the Oregon house of representatives on the
18th of January last-(ayes 90, nays 81
upon the subject of dividing "the territory
of Oregon" and the establishment Of the
territory of "Columbia," in accordance
with the prayer of the memorial Of the del
egatcs in convention assembled, in the town
of Monticello, on the 25th day Of Novem-
Der, 1852. From the unanimity Of the
action of the house in the premises, we
should imagine its passage through the
council can be confidently anticipated, al
though no news Of the action of that branch
oil the assembly relative thereto, was re-
ceived at this place by the last mail. In
their recommendation to the attention of
congress the subject of division Of the ter
ritory, we conceive that our legislature has
performed an act of wisdom highly credit
liable 10 good understanding Of the mem
bers, as well as an act Of Justice 10 large
extent of country, the wants and interests
of the people Of which, have heretofore
been entirely overlooked and uncared for
We presume that the members Of our legis-
lature have taken a common sense view Of
the subject of "divisiOn "-diyested them
selves of local prejudices sufficiently to make
an impartial reconnaissance Of the natural
boundaries Of Oregon, and come to the con-
clusion that division was ultimately inev-
liable, and that it was impracticable and Ut
ter folly 10 attempt 10 continue territorial
jurisdiction over the SchOle territory through
one organization-opposed by so many just
and paramount objections. To our member
in the house of representatives, (Col. EBEY,)
are the people of northern Oregon mainly
indebted for the passage Of the memorial
through the legislature, 10 whose energy and
indefatgable exertions are our people in
debIed for The passage Of so many impor-
tant and highly necessary legislative acts for
the territory north of the Columbia river,
during the present session.
By reference to the proceedings of con.
gress for the first day Of the present session,
published in tO-day's paper, it will be OBJ,
served that our delegate in congress, Gen.
LANE,) introduced a resolution "that the
committee on territories be directed to in.
qnire into tho oxpediency Of dividing Orc
gon territory, and forming new territory
north Of the Columbia river, to be called the
territory of " Columbia" &c. From the
prompt action of our delegate in the matter,
a reasonable hope may be entertained that
the committee on territories will report ia
vOrable, and that the prayer Of the Monii.
cello memorial will be acquiesced in previ,
Gus to the adjournment of congress-4th of
March next. The sanguine expectations of
the most strenuous friends of " division "
will have been fully realized, in such an
event, as the general opinion has been that
the subject would be left for adjudication to
the ling session of congress. Texas will
possibly be divided during the present scs-
sion--Neabrcska and Kanzas probably set
apart as territories, and why not some ac-
tion with regard to the tcrri,oyy of Oregon
Narrow Escape Friday last Feb.
4th, Capt. BAcHELDEK and Mr.. ROBERT
GEORGE, late of San Francisco, came very
near being drowned under the following cir
cumstances: They started from Fort Ms
qually on the day above referr,d 10, with
Whitehall boat, under the management of
sailor, bound for Olympia. Tie sailor