, 1857-11-27

have been found, beyond doubt, to be
well suited to most branches of agriculture
Iuexhaustibe beds of coal have been
opened at different points convenient fol
shipping JAt Bellingham Bay the mines
are now being worked with energy, and a
superior coal is raised. Recent trials Of
this article by steamships on the Sound,
show excellent results. ....s
There is also large quantities of building
and lime stone, both on the islands aud on
the main shore.
Recent intelligence from the gold mines
east Of the Caccades on various tributaries
Of the Columbia, in the vicinity of Ft. Col
vile and elsewhere, go to show that these
diggins are paying well. Few Of our citi-
zens have ventured there as yet, owing to
the Indian difficulties, but those who have,
are reported as making from So to SIG
perday. Should the differences between
our government and the various Indian
tribes east of the Cascades ever be ar
ranged in such manner as to make it safe
for our people to travel there, in order TO
fairly prospect the gold region, it is believ-
ed these mines will pay as well as those of
California. They are of easy access from
Puget Sound; to which point the mail
steamer makes regular trips from San Fran
cisco. rH
The great Importance of Puget Sound,
in commercial point Of view, l cannot
better give to the public than by quoting
the general remarks made by Governor
STEVENS, in bis able report Of the explora-
tiOn and survey Of the Northern Pacific
Rail Road:
RESOURCES AND GEOGRAPHICAL IMPORTANCE
OF PUGEr SOUND, AND ITS RELATIONS TO
THE TRADE OF ASIA 'a -
"The principal resources Of the Sound are It's lum-
ber its coal, its salmon, and the cod on the hanks Of
the coast far to the north and south Of the entrance
TO the Straits The coal-beds extend from Belngham
bay TO the Cowiz river, and when subjected 10 anal
ysis have been pronounced Of excellent quality Such
was the opinion Of the late Professor WALTER JoHN-
sos and Lieut.. TRowBRIDaE corps Of engineers, has,
aiter examination, expressed favorable opinion OF
its quality. st. 1d do.fE ~
"fherc is also much good land between the Cas-
cades and the ocean, Although at points. spurs
from the mountains extend nearly 10 the Bonnd ret
generally there Is an interval Of prairie rolling land
some thirty o. loTty miles broedi the vtr bottoms
alder. In the vicinity Of, and north Of Bellingham
bay, there extensive praries, and the river Nook
Sauk, navgable for steamers at least sixty miles and
hal
under its southern and western base, and finally enters
the Sound in the northern part OF the bay u repre-
sented 70 have much excellent land on its banks
Al the delta Of the Sam-se and Ginaahrnish ard on
the DWamish and its several tributaries on the Puy-
ellup, there Is much excellent land The praires on
the northern shore Of the same are some Of them gray
ely, particularly those in the vicinity Of Nsqaally;
but, as general rae, the iand Is good and yields af
returns 70 labor. The quality Of The land improves
on approaching the mountain Slopes and extensive
prlres near tle head OF the Oowltz, and at the base
Of Mount 81. Heens is one Of tho Lest tcts Of land
The region generally between the Columbia river
and the Sound and the Cascades and the Pacific ocean,
Is well watered, The river bottoms having growth
OF NJ, maple alder and eurnaple are generally rch,
and ,hee is mach prodnctlvs prairie, inttpiperned
with groves Of timber and Little or none Of the coun.
try can be called mountainous, i fyaoIH ifaNfl
West Of the Sound the country is reported 10 have
great mineral wealth and much excellent land. There
will be great thoroughiare OF business and travel
from the Sound TO the Columbia river, and The Inter
ests Of the two territories Of Oregon and Washington
will soon require q railroad"
IRefenng to the importance Of a railroad irom The
Pacific to the Atlantic, Gov. STEVENS continuessl
az question Of the highest Importance in connection
with the proposed ailroad Is the effect which il win
have in securing for this country the control Of the
Aslatio trade: The magnitude Of the SUBJECT. the
ing from the past when political fevolutlons, mccIiat
ca inventions, and new routes Of travel are producing
such great changes in the relations Of commerce. viii
preclude me from considering The subject IN detail
few general considerations will be sufficient 70 show
the Importance OF the proposed road for
the trade Of Asia "a f.-t-s.l y .l...I
"Thc position Of this country, standiug midway be.
tween the great centres Of Asatlc and European pop
ulation, indicates ia future commercial greainess
Facing our Pacific possessions, and separated from
them by the smooth Pacific l. vast region covering
an area OF over twelve millions Of square miles, and
having apopulaton Of over six hundred millions the
outlets Of whose commerce and productions are near
err uot only TO our Pacific but Atlantic cities than
to the ports Of any European natoni Calcutta, sga
pore, Manill0 Canton, and Shanghai being nearer to
New. York, New Orleans and Charleston, by lines Of
communication entirely feasible, than 70 England.
The trade Of this vast region. incudlhg China Ja-
PAN and the Asatie Archipelago, has been the great
commercial prize 10 ancient and modern times. Per
sia, Assyrla, Carthage, and Rome, each swayed the
world, as II controlled the commerce OF the East We
nice. Genoa, Lisbon, Amsterdam, and London, each
In its turn attained commercial supremacy as Il be-
came the dsposer Of eastern laxufes 70 thewestern
world. The value OF the import and export trade Of
the Asiatic region which can 10 made tributary 10
our commerce, cannot be readily determined; but that
OF China has been estimated at one hundred and twen-
tyve millions Of dollars per annum the greater part
Of which has beea carried on by Great Britain; and
The anuual valae Of the import and export trade Of
Great Britain vita The Asiatic Archipelago and Pac
nc Islands Is estimated at scventyfSe millions Of dol
lars. ..r .H.. g.. 10. aI.. r..-
An important faet bearing upon the feasibility Of
dveFting the trade of Asia fom the old ehannels "a
the comparative reArness Of our Pacific possessions
to the city OF Shanghai, which Is most favoraby stu
ated to become the future emporium Of China and the
outlet Of trade Of three hundred millions Of peo
pie, who are Just beginning 10 break away nom that
exclusive policy which has for many centuries shut
them out from the rest OF the world. The cOncentra-
on of British capital at Canton and IL greater near
ness to England has made the latter city the centre
OF the foreign trade with China. Batthe silk and tea
producing districts lie much TO Shanghai while
this city, situated upon q river which is connected
with the Iangtze kiang the great artery OF China,
has water communication with one third OF the EN-
pire. Shanghai, which may be called the New Or
leans Of China Is distant only 5000 miles from Puget
Sound, and the route passes BY japan, with is fifty
millions Of nhabitants-Jedd0 being only $500 miles
Z Il. -. U...N c.