, 1857-11-27
Letter Of Gov. Fayette McMuIlin.

considerable space in to-day's issue, in or
der to give publicity to the excellent letter
Of our present Executive, addressed to his
friends aud acquaintance residing in va.
rious portions of the Union,l concerning
this youthful territory We most cheerful
ly welcome this document TO our columns,
well knowing that the latitude given to it,
could not have been more pro6tably occu-
pied The facts and statistics which he has
so happily condensed, we doubt not, have
been obtained from the most reliable data
neither time nor pains having been spar
ed by him, in their accumulation. His let
ter requires no commendation from US. 1t
speaks for itself; and we feel assured that
it will be read by all acquainted with him,
as strictly truthful picture of our terrific
ry, as far as it goes, based upon personal
observation or rigid investigation.
That Gov. McMULLrN is quite favorably
impressed with the territory, and with the
character of its inhabitants, his letter fur
nishes ample evidence; and that he will do
everything within his power, in his commu-
nications with the authorities at Washing
ton, to advance the interests Of our people
to secure indemnity for the past, and
security for the future" in our Indian rela-
tions, we believe that the community, gen
orally, have the fullest confidence. Nor do
we think we hazard anything in saying,
that amongst other vitality important meas
ures he has already recommended for the
future well being of our infant settlements,
that he has urged upon the administration
the imperative necessity that one or two
feet war steamers should be placed perma-
nently upon our waters, TO shield our sparse
y settled inland seaboard from incursions
of the murderous British-Russia Indians,
as also from the semi-hostile tribes within
our own jurisdiction. From the day of bis
arrival amongst us, Gov. McMULLIN has
been industriously employed in acquiring
information as to the situation, wants and
necessities of the people of the territory,
and for the furthsrance of this purpose, he
has visited all the principal points between
the head of the Sound and Victoria, " l.
Thus far, Gov. NJ has fully sustained him
self in the character given him by the
Washington city Star, Of July 3Oth, which
paper, in noticing his appointment as Coy
ernor, says:--
'The new Governor Of Washington Territory is a
man of sagacity, energy, and much experience
with the world, as well as in the business OF legsla
tion."
Inasmuch as Washington Territory has
heretofore, in many respects, been grossly
misrepresented, and the character of its
citizens traduced by certain regular militia
ry officers, and ignorant newspaper writers,
we hope that such Of our exchanges as de-
sire the truth to gain publicity, will give an
insertion to the letter under consideration,
iu order that their readers may thereby OBJ
tain some reliable Information concerning
the Sunset side this extreme northwest
corner the Uuited States possessions.
Connected with the subject Of the Paci
fc Railroad, as treated of by Governor
McMULIN, and as an nndnsrrable argH.
ment in favor Of the immediate completion
Of some one of the various proposed routes,
we submit the following from the PhiLadeI-
phia Erening Bulietin, received by the last
NALL
"Orer flee hundred Hvss uould hare been sared If tcs
had had a railroad to the Pacific. One would suppose
that this sentence contained argument enough to over
come all objections to the construction Of this ndis
pensabe work Of internal improvement. Politicians
we should presume, would abandon all the distractions
by which they oppose the enterprise upon having pre-
sented to them this fact that utter in the
OF humanity. II is the voice Of the human race ap
pealug for safety and asking that there should be no
more sacrifices OF life merely for the sake Of maintain
ing political theory.
I'VE can have no guarantees that disasters similar to
that OF the Central America will not occur until we
have new mode of expeditions travel between the
Atlantic and Pacific coasts. railroad from some
point on the Mississippi TO San Fanciscoi is absolutely
Indispensable, and the Government of the United
States ought to construct It, aid in its construction
by the most liberal grants OF land II the fact could
have been presented that over five hundred persons
must perish at instant unless Pacific railroad
was made there would have been no difficulty in get
ting Congress to authorize the work. Now, live
hundred have perished, because there was no Pacific
railroad, and five thousand may perish in the same
way in the course Of years unless one is built Will
not this make an impression upon Congressg
Besides the appalling loss OF life have also loss
Of two three millions Of specie and other property,
which is owing to there being railroad to the Pa
chic. In the same way millions may be lost every
year 80 long as the onyrapid means OF transportation
Is by the perlous voyages on the two oceans Every
year increases the population Of our Pacific posses
sons and adds to the Importance Of having easy
muncation with the Atlantic States. If Pacific rail-
road desirable ten years ago. 1t is ten times de-
sirable now For military and commercial purposes
it is absolute necessity. But these points we
say nothing now simply referring to the calamity of
the Central America and asking for the construction
Of the great work in the name of humanity"
b9- Judge S. S. FoRD, Sr., who, for
several weeks mast had bean lvino DANGER