, 1857-09-18
nan Contracts etc.
TzsgWSeK We announced to our read

master General had concluded contract
with the Pacific Mail Steamship Company,
for the transportation Of the U. S. mails
from San Francisco, California, to Olympia,
w T., touching at certain intermediate
points.
.whether il be the design Of the P, NJ.
Ss1S.i Co. 70 place in service a steamer,
with an object Of making a through trip
from San Francisco to the head of Puget
Sodnd, semi-monthly, touching at the inter
mediate points specified in their contract
orWhether, in conjunction with their pres
ent mail service, connecting San Francisco
with Astoria, il be the intention Of that
company to provide an additional steamer.
to connect the last named place with Port
Townsend, touching at Shoalwater Bay,
are questions that win be soon solved to
our citizens, as sersice for the contract will
be recognized. commencing on the LIST Of
October.
From the apparent studied indifference
q ell the cabinet departments of tile late
administration concerning this Territory,
(particularly the one presided over by the
Postmaster General), it would be very
natural to suppose that our citizens would
be rejoiced at the success of any measure
having the appearance Of aifOrding relief
for past grievances and neglect. Conse-
qusntly, in whatever shape the connection
Of. our inland sea with California by ocean
steamers may be tormed- d-rewardod by,
aud under the sanction OF the government
foR tho transmission Of the U. S. mails,
such al arrangement cannot be otherwise
regqrled BY our citizens than as an impor-
tant coueession--the entering wedge To-
snh,equsnt more beneficial notifications,
and as an earnest that we are not irrevoea-
biyaishofed..by the home gOverImcnt-
that2ths pressing wants. rights interests,
and the commanding Importance Of the
geographical and commercial position Of
our TeFEilpEy viii IN The lnture, be, taken
iniol Just account siaud treated not alto
gether as a worthless foreign dependency.
but as an Important integral portion Of a
great confederacy. lin ga ID ~,
Should IL be the determination Of the
Pm S. s. Co. 10 introduce into the SER.
vice a steamer to ply only between Port
Townsend and Astoria. Transmitting the
NAYS rom mat place % San francisco as
heretoi0rs' under their former aud existing
contract, and the1 negotiate with Messrs
HuSr < ScRASrcN to perform the mail ser
vlre Tor them from Port Townsend to
Olympia. It will be observe that TOO re-
shipmeais 'of produce, goods, etc, must
take place as any point south Of Port
Townsend-oetwcen the head Of Puget
Sound and San Francisco Being attend
ed, thus, with an additional expense and
riskof damage and loss in re-handling, we
apprehend that our tarmers, mechanics and
merchants, generally, would continue to
employ the slower, but less expensive and
safe resort Of sailing vessels as means of
continuing their exporting and importing
interests /; whereas, on the other hand,
without the necessity Of re-shipment be-
tween the head Of the Sound and San
Francisco, tho steamer would unquestiona-
bly, have the preference.
We refer to this matter Only. as affecting
iniariously and peculiarly, not alone the
Pm. S. S. Co, but also the people Of the
Territory, as far as their importing and ex
porting interests are concerned. II would
have been vastly-inHnitely better for all
parties directly interested, had the lasl
Congress appropriated, out of the fullncss
Of the treasury, q suficiency to Justify q