, 1855-12-14

Inc present eAlSllng WuTi udS suSgesteu
many deficiencies in our Militia Law. 1t
provides for the election Of officers, but on
the subject of enrolment Of men, and the
rendering the militia effective it is extremely
defective. would respectfully recommend
the election of the general staff, consisting
of Brigadier, Adjutant, Quartermaster and
Commissary General, by the Legislative As
sembly, and system of enrolment OF all
capable Of bearing arms ip the various coun-
ties, and that the formation of companies be
entirely volunteer-to elect their own Off
GERS, and to be formed into battalions or re-
giments as circumstances may require. The
scattered nature of our settlements, and the
isolation of some of our counties, seems to-
dictate this as the most effective means for
their protection, and at the same time, the
most expedient for combination or general
action. l suggest it for your consideration
During the past summer, rumors Of dis
coveries Of gold fields near Fort Colville,
induced many enterprising and energetic cit
liens of the Territory to visit that region
Many have returned on account Of the war
and the impoSsibility Of obtaining provisions
there, during the winter. Although the ex-
tent of the gold bearing district is not known,
yet the fact is certain that those who work
ed the bars and prospected the country
near Fort Colville, found gold in sufficient
quantities to pay well for working. Wherev-
er the more experienced miners dug, either
upon the bars or upon the hill-sides, gold
was found, and even with the rude mode Of
working with pans, an average of $40 per
day has been made, and those who are still
at the mines, report profitable employment.
l have no doubt that with impSoved ma
chimes and better preparations for working
to advantage, these gold mines will prove
amply remunerative to many citizens who
maygo there, whenever the state Of the
country will permit communication between
the Columbia River and Puget Sound set
Elements and the gold bearing region.
The prosecution Of the public surveys
during the past year, has developed large
bodies Of fertile lands, and made great addi-
ton to the Typographical knowledge OF the
Territory, which will be useful to emigrants
in search Of the best lands. As to the
amount Of work thus far accomplished, the
Office of the Surveyor General shows the fol-
lowing results Total amount surveyed
while this Territory was under the Oregon
Office, 1876 miles; amount surveyed and un-
der contract since the organization of the
Washington Office, 3063 miles; proposed to
be surveyed in 1866 and 1857, as per annual
report of the Surveyor General, 56SS miles
all lying west Of the Cascade Mountains.
The general government has made libe-
raj appropriations for publicsurveys in the
Territory, but the Surveyor General has
found il impossible to obtain surveyors will
ling to contract for the whole amount, as
the exceedingly difficult nature Of the conn
try, and the high prices Of labor and provis-
ions have subjected TO loss those who under
took the work, even at the maximum prices
allowed by law. The present Indian war
has stopped all field work in this important
part of the developmSat Of our Territory;
but it is hoped that it can be resumed in the
spring, and that you, by your action, will
second the urgent request Of the Surveyor
General to the General Land Office, that an
increased sum per miIe be allowed by the
general government, for further surveys.
AT the last session Of Congress, appro-
priations were made for the military roads
in this Territory: from fort Benton,
in NebiaSka, 70 Walla Walla; one from the
Dalles to Columbia barracks; and one from
Columbia barracks to fort Steilacoom.-
A reconnaissance has been made Of the two
latter during the present fall, and, it is ex-
pected, work will be commenced thereon du-
ring the coming spring. ...
In addition to these roads, communication
should be opened by land to Bellingham
Bay, on the north, and through the valleys
Of the Chehalis and Willapah to Grey's
Harbor, Shoalwater Bay, and some point
near the mouth Of the Columbia, on the
South. These roads will be Of great impor-
tance, in domestic point Of view, as open
ing q large section Of country to settlement,
and communication with other settlements;
and, in military affairs, as affording means
of communication with exposed points, and
Of rapidly marching troops into the fastness-
es and lairs Of those savages who may hover
upon the outskirts Of the settlements. !
call your attention to this as a subject Of
memorial. 70 'f''
In the "act making appropriations for
the support Of the army, for the year end
ing the 30th Of June, 1856, and for other
purposes" it was provided, that the Secre-
tary Of War shall equalize, as-far as prac-
ticable, the number Of arms heretofore dis
tributed, and now in possession Of the sew
eral states, SO that each state which had re
ceived less than its pro rata share, shall re
ceive a number sufficient to make an equal
pro rata proportion for all the states, ac-
cording to the number Of their representa-
tiyesand senators in Congress respectively.
Under this provision, the amount falling
due to this Territory is 1000 muskets. An
effort was made to draw them in rifles, but
failed from some regulation to the contrary.
In addition to this, our annual quota Of
arms is 1877 muskets, which amount, con-
sisting of 9l37 muskets, have been drawn
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