, 1854-03-04
GOVERNORS MESSAGE.


making amClOraton Development
experienced civil duties aal just entered the threshold of
field of activity and xerton this duty is discharged with ~Ddembcd
dhdence the generous confidence the citizens of this
Territory and in the determination OF my Will to serve them with fidelity
with energy with all the powers for which am accountable the great
Director of Events congratulate YOU cowizes for the auspices
under which beautiful domain has been organized into government
Of its own-hc youngest OF the American oniedccy The outpost
of the great North West looking the Pacific and IIusns
Bay having the elements of great and varied development commerce.
manufactures agriculture and the has received the of the
of American progress civilization its name geography its
magnificent waters known throughout the land The mgrant looks
ot and notiona eocmrity C worc 5Je boyc r;srr in br
the two and binding people together with iron roads The
and Japan China Australia will houg
Worlds history an era which hereafter will the theme of cc and the
torch of eoquence play secondary part would We
must of necessity play great part if we act at ALL
develop the glorious future Of Territory accepted the trust Of
gang it from the hands of whose Judgment patriotism and
commanding ability placed the utmost reliance This trust has thus
discharged with the sincere purpose desire my part
justice portions of the Territory guard against
those sectional eaogcs which often have been the banc of common
weh The courts have been established the elections have been held
and you are about to enter upon the highest duties which be dis
charged by man in his political capacity the representatives of
pie torn by civil st agaed by proyocaon of injustice but
united interests smpates in the noble purpose of union for the
sake of the common good.
The duty which has been assigned exploring Territory
and the country eastward the Mississippi TO determine the question
the pracaby rail road route has placed me in possession its
general character and condition With the aid of the able and expert
fenced scientific associated with information has been obtained
der of the land adapted to settlement of the roads that should be
its capabilities Of manufacturing With this information with
6dnee urge upon you the representatives the people Territory
policy this Territory and for those incidental aids which always
accorded to Territories by the general the principal
proprietor Of the SOIL.
We have difficulties of communication growing of the
ranges which extend from north south through the Territory
extraordinary forests which abound and the numberess streams which
water the country and almost the winter without
mpncation with the States consequence cncy and
detectiyepess of the mail arrangements.
The Indian title has not been exngued law passed to
provide for its exnguhment of the Cascade Under
Is to
thus the growth of towns and villages obsueted well
veopmcn Of the of the Territory surveys the public
lands ngudy conducted and only the vigorous course
adoption Of proper methods and efficient and distinct organization
can people Of the Territory be supplied Yet our set
law not restricted in the location of his claim and the necessity the
prompe action on the topics referred to is obvious a
Roads connecting the Columbia river and Sound extending from
the Falls of the Missouri at the head of navigation to connect with the
road from Walawala to Seacoomwheh has already been COM
mced and should be comped-%oud easy access to empan
whether they reach the Territory by the South Pass Northern
route From the Falls of the Missouri crossing the Columbia
river the route would through well ased and well
country with sparse wood for only six days with
course connect west of the Columbia River with the Wa
waa the Sound branch should be extended Waawaa
continued down the Columbia to Columbia City The road
Cascades should branch to of the important points the
Sound Ihemportance Of suitable roadom the Columbia the
Sound the great thooughre of the Territory and the line
ton with Oregon must be obvious This along the
eastern shore Of the Sound to Beam Bay which road over
our citizens their Territorial and county capacities provide adequately
for the emigration of the coming year.
The roads recommended through or are direct connexon with
the valley west of the Rocky mountains extending the 46 parallel
arabic prairie land beautifully waered having mild climate and
within reach of nexhausbe oresswh many prar on Car
Forthwith the Ceur Aene prairie Spokane plain having 2OO0
square miles Of arabic and pasture and Coe valley sixty
miles long and rejoicing already in aouhng setcmentuh the
Maawaa and Yakima valewh the country the Puyaup the
White the Green the Duwam the Seag Neuksar rivers and
the country bordering Lake Washington back of Seattle and the nu
meous valleys from the head of the Sound Columbia river
Harbo and Shoawater Bay furnished by Cowz the Black he
Chha the WaPa Gay river the Columbia several rbu
Itares.
In memong for these roads, their Importance to the people the
whole country who by invitation of Congress- coming this Terri
suffering and loss of property should be presented strongest terms
For similar reasons will recommend that Congress
to establish the Office of Surveyor General Territory to make M
a appropriations for the prosecution of the land surveys and to direct
the adoption Of methods by which surveys of all the desirable valleys
throughout its entire border may be made
emgants called to them BY vigorous surveys may
kept advance Of settlement and the economy public and
interests demand it, =
would propose that the land laws modified that title NAV be
either by payment of the minimum valuation by continuous
uen lot one year. by improvements equal the minimum
ana women be placed on the footing with
NO person to secure title in this but but that
whatever be had with Of the essential incidents propor
that Of transfer alienation
Especially would recommend that Congress
nue the geographical surveys which have been instituted till the whole