, 1853-03-19
Northern Oregon---the Past---the
Present. and the Future.

Present, and the Future.
Eight years ago not a single American
citizen resided north of the Columbia river.
-Four years ago the commerce of the whole
Puget Sound district, embracing an inland
navigable coast of nine hundred miles, was
confined to a single brigantinc, Of 80 tons.
Now, what a change has come over the
spirit and appearance of things. NHr nav
igable waters are every where dotted with
sails the woodman's axe is heard at every
point the husbandman's plow and the fruits
thereof are seen for miles throughout our
extensive prairies-industry, enterprise, and
the spirit of competition have sprung into
existence like the fabled Minerva from the
head of Jove, full of life and full of vigor
all is animation, activity, and hope presaging
future crowned with success.
Hitherto, and at present, our commerce
has been mainly confined 10 the lumber
trade-in itself certain and inexhaustlble
source of profit, while our invaluable fishe-
ries have only attracted partial attention.
But this state of things is doomed to be Of
short Duration new channels of industry
must be opened to the searching, never
yielding spirit of our citizens, and then
will the vast, untold mineral resources of
our section of country, be brought into
thorough active operation; these are des-
tined 10 be emphalically the Jetoel' Of our
Territory. Coal exists in any abundance /;
copper, certainly, to a considerable extent,
and if there be any truth in modern geolo-
gy, gold and silver will show themselves in
profusion as soon as the access to the bases
of the Cascade and Olympian mountains
shall be rendered less arduous by the i'm
proving hand Of time.
Puget Sound is naturally intended and
must eventually be the great commercial
mart of the Pacific coasts, for the fishery,
lumber and coal trade-its position for this
purpose is most admirable, and its resources
illimitable. The trade for these articles on
the east coast of the Pacific is now within
our grasp, and that Of the west coast must
follow, in large proportion, that Of the
American coast. The impetus given 10
our trade within the past six months, has
been strikingly observable it results simply
from an increasing knowledge of our coun-
try, its peculiar capacity for enterprise, and
favorable adaptation to honest speculation.
Although we have referred particularly
to the above branches of trade, we wish by
no means to undervalue our agricultural in
terests, and the fne opening for the farmer
through the length and breadth of our dis
trict. These last being more diffusely scat
tered, are not brought so prominently into
view, but we feel assured that our agricul-
tural statistics, if accurately ascertainsd,
would afford very gratifying assurance Of
a rapid progress towards the end, so desira-
bic in every point of view, of not only sup.
plying ourselves, but having something to
spare for our neighbors Of California and
elsewhere.
Not only is our Territory attracting the
special attention OF individuals Of enterprise
and capital, but our National Legislature, at
Washington, is becoming awake 10 the JUS
tice and necessity of more parental care of
U.s. Hitherto we have been comparatively
forgotten, because so remote from the centre
of government thought and action, but our
claims being just, have at length gained
foot-hold, and will, we doubt not, be contin-
ually attended 10 in generous manner.
Under all the circumstances of the case,
while we may regret macy errors both of
omission and commission on the part of those
who are our natural guardians, we have
certainly numerous blessings 10 be thankful
for, and we can most confidently look for
ward to bright and cheering future.
05- The Census report of the year 1852,
has detached statement of probable line
of steam communication around the world.
The calculation is, that the time to be con-
sumed in the journey round the world will
ha buf OF lave Tho -o,,t :; T., i'll