, 1854-12-09

/ out lalltU III tne OlHer hIduCu vi NOilRTeHS.
A strong and respectful memorial, setting
! forth the dscoursgements and vexations OF
our sc tiers, and tie development of the
population and resources of the territory
which would result from the settlement Of
these questions must have weight with
Congress, and will earnestly rccomIend it.
Congress made appropriations for the
continuation of the railroad surveys from
the Mississippi river to the Pacific ocean,
and it is confidently believed that every
practicable route will lie explored and sur.
vcyed in order to just and safe action
on this monentous question. The whole
intermediate territory is now organized,
and the pressure of population will Of itself
build several roads, in the national exten-
sion Of our railroad system. 1t seems to
me it would he dangerous precedent, and
in every respect highly inexpedient, to look
to Congress for any other aid than it can
properly render as the proprietor Of the do
main over which the roads will pass, and
in the way of the business which it must
transact on these roads The information
already developed in reference to our great
interior by these explorations, is surprising
Beautiful prairies and delightful valleys
easy passes, practicable at all seasons Of the
year, have taken the place Of savage des-
crts and mountain dcfles, impracticable
half the year from snow, East of our own
n Cascades, we have an unsurpassed stock
grazing and wool growing country. The
Bitter Root mountains furnish inexhaus-
tiLe supplies Of limestone and lumber. On
its western slopes, and between the Bitter
Root and Rocky Mountains, the soil is fer
tile and adapted to all the products Of the
temperate zone. Such is the result in our
own territory, of careful and minute explo-
ration.
West Of the Cascades, there is large
quantity of excellent land. The more the
country is examined, the better it devel-
opes. Inexhausible beds Of limestone and
coal are found on the shores of the Sound.
The distinguished geologist Dr. John Ev-
ans, has, during the past season, made q
general examination Of the coal resources
of the territory, and reports it to be Of a
good quality, and adapted to nearly all
uses. He has discovered in several places
Jets Of anthracite coal. If our coal should
element of national strength, it will rival
the gold Of California, and will at once
settle the question Of steam communication
with the East. Not only the whole west
ern coast, but the country at large has a
vital interest in this matter A more mi.
mute examination Of our coal measures is
called for, and the general geological sur
yey Of the Territory should be completed
to develope its mineral wealth, as an indis-
pensable preliminary to the survey Of the
public lands. regret TO inform you that
Congress failed to make provision for this
survey at its last session, and will suggest
that Congress be memorialized to provide
for the expense of DR.. Evans examination
the past season, and for the completion oil
the work 1t will be gratifying 10 the peo.
pie Of the territory to know that California
has already moved in the matter. Her
most eminent citizens have memorialized
her congressional delegation to make every
exertOn to procure the necessary appro
priations.
The people Of the territory have shown
their appreciation Of the necessity Of road:
by the action Of the first legislative assem-
bly,, and their own exertions in cutting
trails and carrying out the provisions o.
law. All the territorial roads have been
made post routes by act Of congress. Moth
ing will tend SO rapidly to advance our
settlements and general prosperity, as the
opening Of communication. l doubt not
that you oil are alive to the Importance
of this subject. A road Of easy grades
from the settlements at the head Of the
Sound to Bellngham Bay, can be so located
as to open a fertile country, and 1t is prob
sLls that u good route could be found on
the other side Of the Sound to some port on
the Straits.
A matter of general interest to the ter
ritory, is the opening Of the military road
from Walla Walla 10 fort Steilacoom af-
fording to the immigrant an easy and safe
access to the country upon the Sound. II
is recommended that this be made by law a
territorial road also, and thatit be rendered
the duty of the proper officers 10 keep it
open aud in repair. The portion Of the
road between Steiacoom and White river
has not been worked, as the appropriation
was not sufficient to cover the whole ground,
but as it lies within the settled country and
affords comparatively few obstacles, the
counties themselves will be able to improve
it, 1t would be q great benefit 10 those
travelling this road, should the legislature
take some step towards sowing with grass
seed the small prairie known as the bare
prairie, situated a little below the mouth
Of Green river, as also the sides Of the
mountain known as Ia teie. These points
are intermediate in long distance destitute
of grass and are almost necessarily stop
ping places on the march. A very small
sum would cover the expense Of planting
them, and the advantage would be incal-
culable.
l regret to be obliged to inform you that
no appropriations for roads were made by
congress at its last session. Three roads
daem of vital consequence in q military