, 1854-09-16
Letter from Hon. c. Lancaster.


WARRINGTON CRY, July Is, 1854.
Editor Pioneer and Democrat
The bill creating q separate surveying
district of Washington, providing for the
office of Surveyor General, land Office, Re
ceivcr and Register, making amendments
to the land law, devoting two townships Of
land to our Territory, &c, has passed.
could not obtain copy for you by this
mail. l will send one the next mail. The
bill for the establishment of Light Houses
and for Buoys upon the coast Of Washing
ton has passed the House, and think will
pass the Senate without amendment. An
amendment Of $4,000 was added by the
House for Buoys to mark the entrance and
harbor of Shoalwater Bay. The Senate
passed the bill providing for roads, appro-
priating $50, 900 for the construction Of a
road from the great falls of the Missouri,
in the Territory of Nebsaska, TO intersect
the road leading from Walla-walla to Pu-
get Sound-and $25, 900 for the construc-
ton of road from the Dalles of the Co
lumbia to Columbia City Barracks, and
$50, 900 for the construction Of a road from
Columbia City Barracks to Fort Steilcoom
on Puget Sound. Some fears are enter
tanned that this bill will not be reached in
the House this session, as Congress will
adjourn on the 4th day of August, and
that if it shall be reached, some think the
appropriation is quite too large. This bill
has its friends, however, who will stand by
it. Several measures Of Importance to
Washington have been passed. The sala-
ries Of the civil officers have been increased,
and a handsome Indian appropriation is
also passed. There are also some import
ant measures pending, and others being
projected.
1t is expected that on Monday next the
bill for the increase of the pay Of the off,
GERS and soldiers Of the regular army who
are on duty on the coast of the Pacific will
be taken up, and also the bill for the in
crease Of the army, and relaxing the rule,
so that merit in the army may be recog-
nized in o more salutary manner-and
providing also for a releasement from duty
Of the aged worthy officers, thereby per-
hitting the younger officers more promi-
nent positions. Attention TO the estab-
lishment Of post routes is being had by the
House committee on post Offices and post
roads, and IL the routes indicated shall be
adopted, Washington viii be liberally pro-
vided for by the bill. Much credit is due
to Gov. Stevens and Gen. Lane. They
have exerted themselves manfully in OBJ
tanning the passage Of the bills. General
Lane will do all in his power for us, not
inconsistent with his duties to Oregon. \
All our efforts to obtain mail service by
sea TO the Sound have to this time proved
Intellectual. The whole matter is in the
hands Of the Postmaster General. No
further legislation is required. He has the
power to send the mail, and he ought to
advertise at least for bids. But be says
that in the exercise Of sound discretion
ip this matter, he cannot permit himself to
think of paying the sum which would be
demanded and required for that service,
and that we must wait until our growing
commerce places steamers in our trade,
and then he will attempt to make con-
tract.
have not as yet received a single an
swer to any letter sent to the Territory
Many valuable documents have been sent
to various persons for distribution, which
hope will reach their destination safely.
do not think it advisable to return du-
ring the adjournment Of Congress. could
not see many Of the citizens if l should,
and may have communication on the way
which would require attention, and in the
meantime eau form some acquaintances
which will be Of service to the passage Qi
measures during the coming short session.
Respectfully yours,
COLUMBIA LANCASTER.