, 1857-07-31

are almost wholly undeveloped Geologi-
calIy speaking, we are in ignorance of the
mineral wealth which geologists assert they
have reason to believe is concealed in the
bowels Of the earth around US. 1t is true
that through the enterprise of Col. Ed C.
FrzHUGH, and Mr. PEABODY, of Bellingbam
Bay, large coal veins have been laid bare,
and that the former gentleman has went
systematically to work, and can, at short
notice, supply almost any amount Of a
good article. But further than the discoV-
cry Of coal, the treasures Of the mineral
world, which we have reason TO believe are
concealed in our valleys and mountains, re
main undeveloped and unknown. So with
our magnificent fishing grounds, teeming
with salmon, halibut, cod, etc. No per-
son as yet has pretended to engage in the
business, in any sense, extensively. Than
Washington Territory, there is not bet
ter fruit country particularly for the apple
in the world and perhaps the inhabitants
OF no new country have taken greater pains
TO procure for themselves the best and
most approved quality>of fruit gratis, than
have our citizens. In few years we will
have "enough and to spare" As to wheat,
oats, etc., the crops come to maturity bet
ter, yielding larger grains, and presenting
fewer shriveled ones, than perhaps can be
said Of any portion Of the Atlantic. Rust,
smut, cookie, &c, are unknown here. The
average wheat crop of the Territory may
be set down at IL, Is, 20, 25, 80 and 35
bushels per acre--varying thus, on light
sandy, sandy and grsVelIy, gravel, sand
and, clay, clay loan, bottom aud swamp
lands Almost all kinds of vegetables
grow luxuriantly and in profusiOn Buck
wheat, rye and barley have been cultivated
as successfully as wheat and oats, yielding
crops corresponding with that of wheat,
0ur farmers generally use peas and pota-
toes, sometimes mixed with wheat, in fat
tening their pork, which they assert is less
expensive, whilst it yields better article
Of bacon than can be produced in the
States from corn. In many parts Of the
Territory, a ground fruit called lacamas "
subsists the stock hogs bountifully through
out the summer
Inasmuch as Mr.. SMITH has furnished in
the foregoing extracts, the prices Of vari-
Gus articles Of subsistence In Nebraska, we
take occasion here to state present market
price Of some Of the leading articles Of pro
duce, ETC., in this Territory. We are per
fectly free to acknowledge that Nebraska
prices, as quoted, are largely in advance Of
prices here. Corn is not cultivated to an
extent worthy Of notice, SO We will pass on
to wheat, which is now worth 81 25
-four, per bbl., 81 so oats, 81 per bushel
pork, 10 cents per ID. bacon - sides,
shoulders and hams, Is, Is aud % cents
per ID. potatoes, 81 so per bushel I; peas,
81 so per bushel beef, ION FOOT 8 cents
per ID. mutton, Is to 20 cents per ID.
In conclusion, and in reply to the closing
suggestion in the foregoing extracts, VIC
would inform Mr.. SMITH, and all Others
whom 1t may concern, that the best lands
in this Territory are still unoccupied, and
are likely to remain SO until the relations
Of the government with the various Indian
tribes in our midst and by which we are
surrounded, are placed on a permanent
basis-ensuring safety to the immigrant on
his way hither, and security Of life and
property after his arrival amongst US. In
fact, our settlements have received no ac-
cessions by immigration, direct from the
States, since 1853 and as a reason there
for, the late disastrous Indian war that
threatened us with anuihilation, through
which our citizens have had to wade, TO-
gether with the general hostility Of the In
uAou tIlOco vi UOIu bluCo--ShoL duu hCoI VI
the Rocky ountains--infesting the high
way of egress, overland, to the shores Of
the Pacific, we deem an all-suficieht expla-
nation. On the other hand, some settle
ments have been entirely broken up, and
we wish it distinctly understood, that we
desire to urge or recommend no one to inn
migrate to our Territory, until permanent
and substantial peace has been effected
with our savage neighbors We repeat
that the best lands in the Territory are still
unoccupied. The Pacific coast can boast Of
no more fertile soil than that Of the prai-
ries and valleys of the PuyalIup, White and
Green rivers, the Duwamish, the Snoqual-
mie, the Snohomish, the Lurnmy, the Che
halls, through ala Shoalwater Bay, to the
Columbia river. Our best lands are those
that are timbcrcd, (the soil being Of clay