, 1854-08-19

House for the construction Of Lighthouses
and buoys upon the coast of Washington,
The law for the establishment Of three
light houses upon our coast, passed in 1880,
and a gross sum of over $50, 900 was ap-
propriatcd for their construction. a con
tract was made for the construction Of the
Light House for Cape Disappointment at
S3s, 500. This Light House was lost in
view of the place intended for its erection,
The bill now before the House, proposes
an appropriation of S39, 900 for completing
the Light Houses for Cape Flattery and
New Dungeness, and the further sum OF
S25, 900 for the establishment of a Light
House on Blunt or Smiths Isand-and
$25, 900 for the establishment of a Light
House at Cape Shoal Water, and also S5,-
900 for Buoys, &c. n
Information has been received by our
Delegate, that the Custom House would be
removed to Port Townsend.
In relation to our mail service by Sea,
there has been more effort put forth than
for any Or all other things, and from pres
ent appearances with less effect All the
legislation required is obtained. The whole
question is in the hands and power of the
Post Master General. After several inef-
fectual attempts to obtain hearing, the
Post Master General in the latter part of
the month of May, appointed time when
he would sec Gov. Stevens and Mr.. Ian
caster, and he then promised them that he
would on the day he had set, go over the
whole ground with them upon that subject
On the ninth day Of June the Post Master
General came into the room in which the
Governor and Mr. l.. were in waiting, and
after the ordinary salutations, said that he
had decided the case against them, and
that too, without having heard a word at
that time from either of them on the sub
ject This announcement was astounding
and was spoken in such a manner as to fully
close all free communication on the matter
The Post Master General said that he was
informed that the people of the Sound could
be sufficiently supplied with mails by the
way of the Cowlitz river, at present, and
that when the commerce of the Sound
should place steamers in its trade he would
contract for the transportation Of the mails;
I
that he could not think of paying the pres
ent prices upon that coast. Mr.. Lancaster
said that there were those now ready to
convey the mails for the price Of the fuel
The Post Master General wished to know
il those persons were in the City. Mr..
Lancaster gave the name Of Capt Faunt-
leroy The question was asked what the
price Of the fuel would be, and was answered
a that Capt. Faunteroy would take the mails
twice a month to Port Townsend, and from
there distribute them t'eice 'reek all over
! the Sound for the sum Of two hundred
thousand dollars per annum. The Post
Master General said that he could not think
of paying any such sum. Mr.. Lancaster
asked him to name sum, this he declined.
He then asked him to advertise for bids,
) and this he declined Mr.. Lancaster then
asked the name Of his informant who had
led him to believe that the mails could be
: supplied to the people of the Sound by the
way Of the Cowitz River, and this he also
declined. Gov. Stevens then asked the
! : Post Master General if he would step with
u him to the map Of the Territory. The
Post Master General said that if it would
be any accommodation he would. Gov
Stevens then said, and showed him, that it
: was impossible to meet the wants and ne
u cessities of the people by the way of the
= Cowlitz River route-said that sometimes
the Columbia River was frozen and its nav
! igation impeded and obstructed, and that
the Cowlitz River was often so swollen that
: the mail canoe was for days delayed, and
: that even if the canoe reached the landing,
the mails were often long delayed by the
condition of the streams over which the
mules had to pass during the winter season,
i and that he had himself received letters
several days in advance of the mails,
: brought by sailing vessels from San Fran
cisco, and that the people were forced, from
, the condition of things, to employ expresses
to carry their letters and communications
These statements we're not regarded by the
: Post Master General. The next day, Gov.
Stevens placed within the reach, and for