, 1857-09-04

the Chchalis river, on the Pacific, no local
tOrialquestion has arisen, nor has there
been, for the last Eve years, such a conflict
OF opinion as to its adaptation by vessels
for the purpose Of trade, as the one that
heads this article.
By the friends Of the Harbor, It has
been claimed that it Is perfectly safe and
easy Of access for vessels Of any size that
Traverse our waters for the purpose Of
trade. &c, that may at any time seek our
shores that it is altogether capaciOus aud
sufficiently land.locked, and that the report
Of its survey, by Capt. Wilkes, made sew
eral years ago by order Of the u S. gov
srnment. Is Incomplete, inaccurate and un-
satisfactory. rr
On the other hand. promising on the au-
thority Of Capt. WILKEs. and other author
it5 NOC q local character, it has been con
tended that It is altogether difficult and
dangerous Of entrance, and in no wise suit
able for harbOr for largo vessels-small,
and unimpOrtant.
These conflicting opinions have been
strongly and confidently maintained by
parties on both sides, aud the contes. has
on some occasions, assumed the character
Of bitterness Capt w. 7. SAYwARD, a
few years ago. claims to have made re.
cOnnOlssance, and attempted an entrance
Of the HarbOr, and beached vessel in so
doing. One or two others, we believe,
claim TO have made a like examination,
with similar results.
Within the last summer, it appears that
. more extensive survey has been made by
different parties, who agree in making
satisfactory report thereon, and give as a
result Of their soundings q suficiency of
water at low tide. on the bar, for vessels
Of any description TO enter and return by q
good and direct route.
That the practicability Of the Harbor
has been settled beyond controversy, the
public have assurance from the fact that
THOs. CARTER, Esq, Of Portland, Oregon,
10 connection with several other gentlemen,
1t Is said have purchased large stock Of
goods, and are about to form q settlement
and commence the erection of town on
the Chehalis river, about twenty miles from
is mouth, where numbering and Touring
mills, and general commercial establish
msnts are about to bo erected. We under
stand that many citizens Of Thurslon, Cow
lilz and other counties, have already, or
ere about to repair thither, with an object
Of engaging in agricultural and other pur.
suits. Il IS represented that there is as
large body Of excellent farming and gra-
Eing lands on the Chehalis river and its
tributaries, as can be found in any one
portion Of tho Territory, which. if true,
will give to our Territory an increased har-
Dor aud much important agricultural coun'
Try. A very limited settlement has as yet
been made in that direction, Territorial
roads have already been located to tide
water on that river, which Is navigable
from the mouth, for large vessels, for tweni
y miles, and it Is asserted that 10 time Of
high water, with the removal Of q few
piles Of drift, vessels Of considerable size
viii be enabled to run up as far as the
residence Of Judge FoRD. Black river,
for some distance, can also be avaiied oI
for some distance for like purpose. ThesS
are important facts, and will greatly ado
to or Territorial wealth and Importance
Our citizens viii be glad to learn these
facts. The more good land, harbOrs aud
other natural advantages our Territory may
possess. the better, and the greater our
future prospects.
As will be seen by the following cores
pondence, which took place during the
session Of the last legislature, q new sur
vey OF the entrance and harbor has been
asked for, and may be expected at no dis
tant day. We will refer to this matter
again soon:
ExEcUrvE DEPARTMENT, W. T.,
Olympia, Jan. 20, 1857.
HoN. ]. s. Smith, Speaker Of tie House:
SR-In answer to the following resolu-
tion Of the House passed Jan. 18th, 1857,
and communicated to me this day, viz
ResOlred, That his Excellency, Gov. /.
!. Stevens, be requested to communicate to
this House any information he may have
in his possession on the subject Of q survey
Of Gray's Harbor (; whether an order has
been issued from the Coast Survey Office to
surrey said Harbor ?-if so, at what time
was i 50 ordered, and whether said survey
has been nader and If not made, will it
require an order from the Department at
Washington si.
II have to state that on the 2Ist day Of
4