, 1857-04-17

FRoN BELINeHAN BAY, Erc,-We learn
from Ms. r. S. RoBiNsoN, of Port Towns
end, that IN consequence of the departure
Of the steamer Massachusetts for San Fran
cisco, and the absence Of the proper means
of defense, (not a single government vessel
being at this time in the Sound). the
greatest CONSERVATION exists among the in
habiiants on this bay, as well as on Whid-
by's Island, from fear Of visit from the
Northern Indians. On the bay the citi-
Lens have forted themselves up, and laid
10 sufficient subsistence 10 withstand
three months siege, as well as made other
suitable preparations to successfully repel
any sudden invasion orattack.
The character Of these Northern hordes,
their conveniences for travelling, their weap-
ons for assault and defense, and their sav.
age barbarity and thirst for revenge, are
so well known that good reason for alarm
at this time, especially in the more remote
and sparsely populated portions Of the Ter
riiory, are not without foundation. We
have been annually annoyed with them for
the last four years, and all laws, and the
efforts Of our officers, have proved INSULT
cient to keep them without our borders.
Murders-and some Of them Of the most
daring character, within sight of our most
populous towns, as was the case at Seattle
last fall-have been frequent, while rob-
berries have been almost constant, until
since the Massachusetts,, last November,
swept them out Of our waters At this
time there is nothing to prevent a visit
from these disagreeable neighbors, even to
the very scat Of government Of our Terri
tory.
While the political sages Of our country
seem to be perplexed and racking their
brains in devsing method to deplete the
national treasury, and reduce the revenues
10 sum that shall but he sufficient to do
fray the expenses Of an economically Ad-
minstercd government, has it ever entered
their heads that as yet the infant settle
ments Of the Pacific have never received
even the protection which our exposed stu
alton demands, and that withheld only
from a dread of the, necessary crpease at
tendant thereon While liberal appropri-
atoms are annually made for defences on
the Atlantic coast to protect our cities,
commerce, and property, the Pacific has
never received sufficient protection to ren.
der safe even our lives. Are not we de-
serving Of the fostering care Of tire gov
ernment ? or are we neglected merely be-
cause our numbers are few? If so, we
claim that this is the very reason that we
should receive double the consideration.
The strong Gao protect themselves it is
tue weak who require support.
Now that Mr. BUCHANAN has fairly en-
tered upon the duties Of his responsible
station, we hope he may pursue different
policy towards the Territories than that
adopted by his predecessors With the
former, the plan of q'tellipg hOstiiities was
pursued. Let the course Of the present
administration be to Prerem them. For
this purpose, and as protection against
northern Invaders, let the new Secretary
Of the Navy INSTANTLY station substantial
and good steamer on. the waters of the
Sound for its defease, with Instructions to
make it headquarters, and not at San
Francisco, whenever it suits the convent
,enee and will Of the officers to take
pleasure excursion, as is done at present.
By doing this, the object sought can be
accomplished, andbyit only, Itmay cost,
comparatively, but hundreds of dollars to
guard against outbreaks aud disturbances,
but it may require millions to subdne.
P.S.-Since writing the above, welearn
from the master Of the sloop {" In" which
left Victoria on Friday last, that some 25
canoes Of Northern Indians had attempted
to land at that place few days previous,
bat were prevented by Gov. Douglass.
They teW land somewhere, aud for oil the
resistance zoe can make to prohibit them,
we might as well make virtue of neces-