, 1856-12-26
Our Territory.

our TERRITORY.
We are near entering upon new year
1856 has nearly run its course. What
have we, as a territory, gained during the
past year Have we increased in wealth
or population 2 Have our farmers, our
mechanics, our shippers, our lumbermen,
our fishermen, or indeed those engaged in
any branch Of industry, been prosperous or
unprosperous during the past year? These
are grave questions, and we doubt not have
occupied the attention, more or less, of all
rejecting men in our midst.
During the past eighteen months we
have passed through many stirring scenes
Our citizens have been murdered-improve-
ments destroyed-families driven for shell
ter to block-houses, and in fact all kinds Of
business virtually suspended, on occount Of
Indian hostilities. We have all had our
attention almost wholly engrossed with
this subject-so much so as scarcely to dis
cover any evidences Of present prosperity.
But things have become more quiet-the
fear of the settler have been, in measure,
alIayed-the farmers in many sections Of
the country, have resumed their usual avo-
cations, and there is every prospect that
better time is coming. There is, at least,
time for thought, and to examine our pres
ent and future prospects.
Upon reviewing the events Of the past
year, disastrous though they may have
been to our territory, we can still find
something to cheer and encourage us. Not
withStanding that almost all farms were
deserted, quite large amount of produce
was raised and harvested during the past
season-suficient, at least, to amply sup
ply our own wants. The numbering busi-
ness has been steadily increasing-in fact
lumber manufactured on the Sound, now
finds its way to almost all parts Of the
world. Our natural resources are being
developed, and it is to them, and them
alone, that we must look for future great
ness. All history demonstrates that where
agriculture is neglected, and the natural
resources of q country remain unimproved,
poverty, want and ignorance will prevail
The rise and downfall Of some of the old
countries, fully establishes the fact that
superabundanee of the precious metals
brings neither real wealth nor happiness.
The government that depends solely upon
acquiring and retaining gold, to sustain its
national character, will undoubtedly retro
gade instead Of advance in the scale of
nations. Industry will be supplanted by
indolence-the arts, sciences, intelligence,
and indeed everything calculated TO i'm
prove the condition of the human race,
disregarded. Hence, we look with pleas
ore on any and every movement calculated
to bring into use the natural resources of
our infant territory. Tuat they are suf-
fcient to make US, at no distant day, q
great and powerful state no one can doubt.
Our soil and climate are equal to the best
our harbor unsurpassed in the world,
and in lumber, fish, coal, &C., we are far
ahead Of any country lying on the Pacific.
In fact, our forests of timber will success
fully compete with any in the world. Our
spars, &C., now attract the attention Of oil
maratime nations. We have every reason
to believe that farming will be carried on
more extensively the incoming than during
any former year. 1t has been but few
years since we were compelled to import
-four for home consumption, while now, not
Withstanding the disorganzed state Of the
territory, we produce a surplus. The lum-
ber trade has increased to such an extent
that our mills at present are unable to
meet the demand-our towns show signs
Of steady and healthy improvement, and
there is an abundance Of labor in the terri
tory to eecupy the whole Of our present
population, and more too. We need pop
ulation in order that our various advan-
tages SO bountifully provided by nature,
may be fully developed. To enterprise and
industry, no country offers greater induce
ments than this. Then why despair |?
True, we have received little or nothing
from the home government, and we have
had enough during the past few months to
almost discourage the stoutest heart, yet
we cannot but believe that 1851 will mark
brighter and more prosperous period in
our history.
~ There is not mucb news of interest