, 1854-12-09
Nj {; s A GE

My long absence from tie territory and
the late period Of my return, will prevent
my entering as fully as should desire into
cur general condition aud prospects.
shall simply touch upon some general
points of interest to the territory and the
country at large. 1t is incumbent upon me,
however, to express my sense of the kind
ness and consideration which have been
manifested since | entered upon the duties
of your executive. Especially has this
been shown in the circumstances attending
my absence from the territory. l left with
your concurrence and after satisfying my
Judgment that certain public questions with
which | was charged, required my presence
at the national capitol. | knew that
should leave the duties of the executive de-
partment and Of the Indian superintendent
cy in able and safe hands, and that affairs
would be managed in manner that would
reflect credit upon the secretary Of the ter
ritory and give general satiSfactionlto the
people. have not been mistaken in either
particular, and | now return, after an ar
duous period Of service elsewhere, with the
most unalloyed satisfaction.
cannot but congratulate you, fellOw-cit-
izenS on the aspect that our territory at
present presents. Just one year has rolled
away since the proclamation was issued
giving vitality to our organic act, and cal
1 ling into existence new component part oi
I that great confederacy to whose extent ma
ture has been unable to assign any limits.
Within that brief period our population
has rapidly increased. A legislature has
assembled and dispensed to the people,
laws made by representatives Of their own
selection. Courts have been held aud me
ted out general justice to all. Towns have
increased in size, and assumed the business
of established cities. Steam, the lever Of
the present social world, has made its ap-
pearance in our far-famed waters. Every
thing, in fine, betrays prosperous and
growing republic.
Since you were last assembled, many
changes have taken place for our internal
and social welfare A surveyor-general, u
register and receiver have been granted to
us. Appropriations have been made for
the extinguishment Of the Indian title to the
lands in the Territory. Lighthouses have
been provided for upon our coast, aud mail
routes have been more thoroughly extended
throughout the territory
The mail routes heretofore existing have
been further extended to all the settlements
on Puget Sound and its adjacent waters,
and from the valley of the Columbia, by
the way of the Occur d Alene mission, to
fort Benton IN the territory Of Nebraska.
This merely establishes the route without
providing for the sending Of the mail Two
years ago Congress established by law the
connection Of Olympia and Steilacoom, ria
Astoria, with San Francisco, bat as yet no
mail steamer has made its appearance.
The growing wants Of our community, the
number Of Indian tribes on our waters, and
our position on the frontier, loudly call for
this facility Of communication. ltherefore
recommend to you to press as earnestly as
possible by the way Of memorial, the fulfil
ment Of these laws made for our benefit and
to which our rights as American citizens
entitle US.
will earnestly call your attention to the
Importance of organizing an effective militia
for the defense Of the territory. Without
dwelling upon our Indian relations, which
have at several times the past season been
critical, and which in our sister territory
obstructed the great cmigrant trail and
caused the loss Of many lives, there are
reasons connected with the war now waging
in Europe and which has extended to the
possessions ou our north, for its being done
without delay. This war will probably bC
very stern and protracted one, and may
involve the necessity Of our country taxing
firm stand as the great POWER Of the
American continent. am persuaded that
no triiling with the rights for which We
have contended since we have been ma
tion, will be tolerated. Our flag will still
wave in every sea, and our citizens will be
protected in legitimate pursuits to the ends
of the earth. In my message to the Grsl
assembly Of the territory gave my views
at length, and to that document / will res
pectfully refer you. 1t is Of great conse'
quence in a national point Of view, that de-
pots of powder and heavy guns should be
established on the Columbia river and on
the Sound, and the attention Of the general
government ought to be called to it, will
here observe, that under existing laws no
distribution of arms can be made to the
states and territories till the militia is en-.
rolled and the returns filed with the proper
department in the city of Washington. As
soon as | received intelligence Of the IN.
dian disturbances at Bellingham Bay
made application TO the secretary Of War
for arms and ammunition for our citizens,
but the application failed for want Of al
lenrollment of the militin of the territory
1t is the duty Of the general govern
ment to afford adequate protection to the
great thoroughfares from the old states to
the western coast. The numerous Indian
massacros the past season must seriously
interfere with emigration, aud may the com
ing year entirely block up the usual trail
to the territories Of Washington and Ore
gon will suggest that you urge upon
Congress the necessity Of placing upon this
,.aJ yu,.h forsa uill iuu;nt i. 49,.