The daily union., 1856-12-20
WAsHISGros TKRRIroRY,

~-~s Olympia, Puget Sound, Nov. s, 1856.
MEssss EprroRs Presumng that il would not be unin-
teesting you and your readers to have occasional
in this far-o isolated portion of Union
have selected your humble suitable person
and propose in series Of letters TO give you slight his
tory of the Northwest portion of our country.
Washington Territory formed from all that portion
of Oregon lying north of the Columbia river to the para
lei of 40 north latitude.
As early as 1874 settlements made in this place and
between here and the Cowitys river By the SaIon
posed OF such jackson, Simmons Sylvester, and
others Previous to this time the @Hudson Bay Company
had undspued possession of almost the eure Territory
in fact may say that all of the farming and grazing
lands were used by them under their control
In ls4s 1885, and 1851 the emigration that
the plains into Oregon and commenced to settle in
this portion of the thea Territory Of Oregon Since that
time our population has rapidly increased and settlements
been made in various parts Of the Territory, and
throughout the length and breadth Of Puge, Sound Had
II not been for the outbreaks amongst the Indians the
plains our population would now have been double.
Tho resources Of this Territory numerous and offer
to the enerprising capitalist and the farmer incacua
bic inducements.
Our forests abound in magnificent cedaEs frs and pines
which grow immense size from which the finest lu-
Der in the world made and the most finished spars
prepared by nature.
Our soil consists Of rich dark losm running to the
Depth many places of six feet On such land this
ths finest crops raised that be produced in any
country. ...as.a#
The waters Of Puget Sound abound in salmon goldfish
halbut rock and many other kinds, In such quantities
that those who live by the sound have marketing
tend Oysters CLAIMS and other shellhsh in profusion
at all times be procured.
Puget Sound is of the magnificent inland
known in the world II is formed by inlet from the
ocean which up two hundred miles and branch
ing out in three directions II varies In width from six to
forty miles and is most truly beautiful sheet Of
Within these waters islands Of all sizes and shapes
scattered in profuson Some covered with vegets-
ton-others, bare and rugged rocks many
exert-others measuring but few feet showing 8
bare bald head little above the level Of the wstervhe
short distance of another large island may be
parts Of which are covered with uIurant vegetation and
the other part is covered with growth Of pine and cedar
which rise abruptly Of the water the height
Of three or four hundred feet The locality Of these islands
and their appearance would indicate that at BY
time great convulsion Of nature had taken place
Olympus Is situated at the bead OF Puget Sound which
Ia about hundred miles from the II is the
minus Of the land and water travel II s beautifully To-
Gated and ID fourishing townthe commercial Of
fertile aud weslthy part Of the Territorycontainng
large Touring mill, and fine water and steam ssr-miis
from which great number of vessels are able to procure
cargoes Of lumber, weekly, during the year.
s,eIaeoom IL the the Sound and Is charm
ingy located the baCe Of high bill There are several
mills here both lumber and Touring and large COMPANY
engaged in shipping spars Sandwich Islands Australia
and China The military barracks situated mile
from the town
Seattle Is sixty miles down the Sound and has popu-
siiou Of about thousand. There several mills
here and in the immediate vicinity An extensive coal
vein worked here from which cargoes are shipped
San Francisco.
Port Orchard and AIi are towns opposite from here
and have lumber mills also Port Gamble and Port Lud-
low located hundred miles from Olympia at the
terminus Of hoods canal Extensive saw-mIls
ming here dsy and night The merchants do profitable
business and from these lumber and spars
shipped for foreign ports than any other the
Sound At Port Gamble, French unrlsh and Ameri can
ships are always to be found loading for Calos vsps
rsiso Europe sI4 China There during the year on
an average twelve hundred Of shipping weekly in
port conveying other ports the products Of The Ter
ritory.
Port Townsend d one hundred and ten miles from the
Of government At this place the cusomhouse il h
cated lie the head Of Admiralty Inlet has splendid
barbor and surrounded by sne agricultural country
Penns Cove opposite from here and has the anest har-
Dor in the world Il Is completely lsnaocksd and thou
sands Of ships lay in perfect security and with moth
ing but kedxe anchor to hold them. Saw mills and
hourng mills doing good business here and the
place l. increasing 10 population and wealth
BeIlnghom BXy Is one hundred and sixty miles from
hers. II has large settlement and military post s
stationed there Large quantities Of lumber shipped